Before costs can be reduced, they must be understood. IPA develops tools and methods to systematically measure the true costs of digital financial services, including official fees, informal agent charges, failed transactions, and non-monetary costs like time and consumer protection risks. This work spans price tracking dashboards, AI-powered data collection, and field-based measurement across countries and providers.

IPA examines the structural, regulatory, and market factors that shape DFS pricing, including competition, taxation, interoperability, and agent network economics. This research is designed to help policymakers and industry actors identify which levers are most effective for making digital payments more affordable, particularly for low-income consumers.

IPA designs and evaluates interventions that directly address cost barriers, from testing how consumers respond to price changes, to working with regulators and providers to pilot reforms. This research generates actionable insights that can inform pricing policy, product design, and market governance.