This research, supported by the Gates Foundation, examines the adoption and implementation of open-source solutions in G2P architecture. Despite significant efficiency gains from digital technologies, governments continue to face challenges in selecting and operationalising appropriate platforms, often due to limited technical capacity, institutional constraints and the lack of standardised evaluation frameworks.
The vision of this foundational research is to develop an evidence base and practical tools to support governments and regulators in modernising G2P architecture through open-source or DPG solutions. By combining empirical research with multi-stakeholder engagement, the study will identify global best practices, assess risks and mitigation strategies and foster knowledge exchange across countries.
The research programme comprises 2 core workstreams:
1
Research and evidence-building
This includes:
- global open-source G2P architecture and benchmarking report
- country case studies (Brazil, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Nigeria and Pakistan)
- risk assessment handbook for open-source G2P implementation
2
Community engagement and knowledge-sharing
This comprises:
- regional and global key stakeholder workshops
- G2P Architecture & Open-Source Implementation working group – a voluntary, invitation-only forum
- launch session and knowledge-exchange events
DPI at the core of integration
DPI delivers the greatest impact when payments, digital identity and data exchange systems are interoperable, enabling inclusive and scalable use cases. G2P payments represent a foundational application of DPI. Our recent report on DPI and digital financial services shows that there is a strong association between DPI maturity and digital payment usage.
Pavle Avramovic, Director of Research and Policy at Financial Innovation for Impact and Head of our Cambridge Market and Infrastructure Observatory, comments: “Our work at Fii and CCAF explores how the convergence of Digital Financial Services (DFS) and DPI is reshaping financial ecosystems. As digital identity, real-time payments and consent-based data sharing become integral to DFS, they drive efficiency, reduce costs and expand access creating new opportunities for inclusion and growth. This G2P Payments research programme complements our broader DPI research agenda.”
As digital identity, real-time payments and consent-based data sharing become integral to DFS, they drive efficiency, reduce costs and expand access creating new opportunities for inclusion and growth. This G2P Payments research programme complements our broader DPI research agenda.
The evolving G2P landscape
The G2P ecosystem has moved beyond digitalisation, focusing on leveraging DPI to create adaptive systems that strengthen resilience and inclusion. Adaptive digital G2P systems can enhance resilience and inclusion, focusing on use cases such as disaster response, social protection, pandemic assistance and climate-related welfare delivery, and these systems can empower vulnerable populations and close gender gaps.
Camilo Tellez Merchan, Senior Program Officer, Inclusive Financial Systems, at the Gates Foundation, comments:
“While digital technologies have improved G2P delivery, governments often face challenges in identifying and procuring suitable open-source or Digital Public Goods (DPG) solutions. These solutions offer cost-effectiveness, transparency, and interoperability, yet many lack the frameworks to evaluate and implement them effectively. This research aims to generate the evidence and insights needed to inform the adoption of open-source G2P systems that enable scalable, secure, and inclusive service delivery.”
This research aims to generate the evidence and insights needed to inform the adoption of open-source G2P systems that enable scalable, secure, and inclusive service delivery.
Launch event
Join us for the formal launch of our research programme and initial insight sharing session on 24 March 2026
To hear about events like this such as forthcoming webinars and updates from CCAF, please join the CCAF mailing list.
Related articles
Crypto mixers are back but different, say Wenbin Wu and Keith Bear from the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance (CCAF), Cambridge Judge Business School. After 2022 sanctions scattered the market, compliant privacy protocols now dominate.
Research centre news
New report maps the present and future of tokenised money
A new report by the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance, in collaboration with Financial Innovation for Impact, examines the evolving market and regulatory landscape of tokenised money. Here, we explore its key takeaways.
Research centre news
Addressing persistent gaps in women’s financial inclusion
The Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance (CCAF) has launched the Women Regulators Network (WRN), powered by RKE, to address persistent gaps in women’s financial inclusion. Deborah Young, WRN Lead, shares what’s ahead for this vital initiative.