In today’s dynamic economic landscape, entrepreneurship is one of the most powerful tools for building self-sufficiency, driving innovation, and lifting communities out of poverty. Yet for millions of marginalised individuals—particularly women, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and rural or low-income communities—the path to entrepreneurship is blocked by a persistent financial gap.

This gap isn’t just about capital. It’s a complex issue tied to limited financial literacy, structural exclusion from financial systems, and a lack of long-term support.

For companies and institutions, addressing this gap is not just an act of social responsibility—it is increasingly a business and ESG imperative.

A well-crafted ESG strategy helps businesses identify and mitigate non-financial risks, from labour practices to community relations. It also aligns with growing investor and regulatory expectations around transparency, governance, and social performance. Social impact, particularly financial inclusion, is an increasingly important focus in Southeast Asia—where poverty, inequality, and lack of access to economic opportunities remain pressing.

Corporates that prioritise social initiatives as part of their ESG efforts benefit in several ways:

  • Risk management: Supporting marginalised communities helps mitigate reputational and operational risks in supply chains.
  • Investor and regulatory alignment: Demonstrating commitment to inclusive growth strengthens ESG disclosures and credibility.
  • Competitive advantage: Community-focused programmes enhance brand equity, build stakeholder trust, and attract ESG-conscious partners.
  • Long-term profitability: Socially inclusive models lead to more stable operating environments and lower turnover.
  • Global alignment: Initiatives like financial literacy and inclusive entrepreneurship contribute directly to SDGs, especially Goals 1 (No Poverty), 5 (Gender Equality), 8 (Decent Work), and 10 (Reduced Inequality).

Many corporates are also leaning into the “S” in ESG for strategic reasons:

  • Their business models are people-centric, e.g., in finance, education, or FMCG.
  • Regional realities demand it, particularly in Southeast Asia where community resilience is key.
  • Leadership values or founder intent may drive a stronger social focus.
  • It offers storytelling power—human-centred success stories are more relatable and impactful for audiences.

Investing in inclusive entrepreneurship creates shared value—both for those at the grassroots and for businesses seeking meaningful, measurable social outcomes.

The Reality of Financial Exclusion in Southeast Asia

As of 2023, an estimated 1.4 billion adults worldwide remain unbanked, with nearly half of them living in developing Asia.[1] Most of these individuals are women, poorer, less educated, and live in rural areas.

In the East Asia and Pacific region, only 59% of adults have access to a formal bank account—compared to a global average of 76%.[2] This disparity is even more pronounced among vulnerable groups such as PWDs and indigenous communities, who often lack the identification documents or digital access required by traditional banking systems.

Barriers to financial inclusion include:

  • Low financial literacy
  • Lack of collateral
  • Fear or mistrust of institutions
  • Regulatory and systemic exclusion

These barriers create a closed loop of economic marginalisation, where the lack of access to financial tools prevents entrepreneurship—and without entrepreneurship, these communities remain locked out of opportunity.

Why Financial Literacy is Foundational

Multiple studies confirm that financial literacy is a key enabler of economic empowerment. It helps people manage risk, improve savings, and make informed decisions about investments and credit. A 2024 study published in Humanities and Social Sciences Communications found that financial literacy training significantly improved income levels, entrepreneurial behaviour, and even health outcomes among low-income households.[3]

However, access to this knowledge remains deeply unequal. Marginalised groups are often excluded from formal education or lack access to training in their local languages or formats. For these groups, community-based and experiential training is often far more effective than traditional classroom approaches.

The Role of PSC in Bridging the Gap

This is where People Systems Consultancy (PSC) plays a critical role. As a regional leader in social impact implementation, PSC has spent over a decade working with marginalised groups across Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Cambodia, and Laos—delivering practical, community-driven solutions to economic inequality.

PSC’s unique model combines financial literacy training, entrepreneurship coaching, and hands-on mentoring, tailored for PWDs, women entrepreneurs, indigenous communities, and other marginalised groups. Through programmes like Maybank R.I.S.E., PSC has trained thousands of participants in inclusive entrepreneurship.

Our approach:

  • Is tailored to local contexts
  • Uses real-world simulations and business coaching
  • Includes mentoring to build confidence and market access
  • Ensures post-training support for sustainability

This isn’t charity. It’s capacity-building for long-term, systemic change.

From Exclusion to Empowerment: Participant Stories

Consider the story of Keo Rachana from Cambodia, a woman who lives with a physical disability due to a road accident. She crafts seed jewellery and owns a small real estate business. Through the RISE programme, her monthly income rose by 360%—from KHR 4,000,000 (USD 1,000) to KHR 18,400,000 (USD 4,600)—in just six months. She now employs 11 senior citizens and single mothers, supports a family of 10 through a monthly wage of $250, and successfully paid off $6,500 in loans by mid-2024.

Then there’s Azwir Bin Amir from Johor, Malaysia. Physically disabled since 2000 and previously earning RM 2,000 (USD 312.96), he was struggling to support himself and his ill brother. After completing the programme, he grew his income to RM 16,000 (USD 3,361.34), introduced new menu items in his food business, employed three jobless community members, and now supports his brother’s surgery while donating food to his local surau.

Juliana Binti Idrus from Selangor, a single mother of five including children with special needs, was barely earning RM 500 (USD 115) through a mobile spa business. Post-training, her income multiplied to RM 4,000 (USD 922). She used social media to reach new customers, hired from the low-income community, and could finally afford extra classes for her children.

These are not isolated stories—they are living proof that inclusive entrepreneurship works when systems are intentionally designed to support the underserved.

The Need for Systemic Collaboration

While PSC’s work has seen measurable success, real change requires a multi-stakeholder approach. Governments, financial institutions, corporates, and development agencies must align their efforts to address structural barriers to inclusion.

  1. Financial Institutions must redesign products for inclusivity—this includes offering microloans without traditional collateral, mobile-based savings solutions, and community guarantee models.
  2. Governments must promote inclusive economic policies that reduce bureaucratic barriers for microentrepreneurs—such as waiving certain fees or simplifying business registration.
  3. Corporates and Investors must align their ESG goals with grassroots empowerment, supporting long-term development programmes rather than one-off CSR activities.

The World Economic Forum’s 2023 report notes that the private sector’s support for inclusive financial products and training is not only good for communities—it makes long-term economic sense.[5]

Why Bridging the Gap Matters Now More Than Ever

The COVID-19 pandemic magnified the vulnerabilities of informal workers and small entrepreneurs. A 2023 ASEAN report shows that more than 60% of MSMEs in Southeast Asia saw revenue drops of over 50% during the pandemic, with women and PWD-owned businesses hit hardest.[6]

Now, these challenges are being compounded by new global pressures. In early 2025, the U.S. government announced tariffs of up to 46% on Vietnamese goods, 49% on Cambodian exports, and 24% on Malaysian imports—moves expected to severely affect industries like garments, textiles, and light manufacturing.[7][8][10]

For marginalised entrepreneurs, especially those in export-oriented supply chains, these tariffs could mean reduced demand, cancelled orders, and job losses. Furthermore, the Asian Development Bank revised its 2025 GDP growth forecast for developing Asia down to 4.9%, citing the impact of these tariffs alongside slowing demand from China.[9]

In this volatile environment, financial resilience and entrepreneurship training become even more critical. Entrepreneurs must be equipped not just to start a business—but to pivot, adapt, and withstand global economic shocks. PSC’s mission has never been more relevant: to give marginalised entrepreneurs the knowledge and confidence to succeed even when the odds are stacked against them.

Turning Knowledge into Power: A Call to Action

PSC’s work underscores a powerful insight: when people understand how money works and are empowered to act on that knowledge, lives change. Communities grow stronger. Cycles of poverty are broken.

But this transformation doesn’t happen by chance—it takes commitment, expertise, and investment.

And for corporates and companies, addressing financial inclusion is not simply an act of goodwill. It is an opportunity to lead with purpose and meet ESG mandates with meaningful, measurable outcomes. Financial inclusion sits at the heart of the “S” in ESG—empowering individuals, building resilient communities, and creating more inclusive economic systems.

Companies that engage with implementers like PSC are positioned to:

  • Lead sustainable impact initiatives tied to core ESG priorities
  • Support underserved communities while enhancing their brand and stakeholder trust
  • Contribute to workforce development, economic stability, and social equity in Southeast Asia

By collaborating with PSC, organisations can scale proven, impactful programmes that uplift marginalised entrepreneurs and unlock long-term regional value.

If you’re an organisation looking to:

  • Achieve measurable ESG and SDG impact
  • Build inclusive programmes across ASEAN
  • Partner with an experienced implementer on financial inclusion and entrepreneurship

Let’s talk.

Let’s Bridge the Gap—Together

Partner with People Systems Consultancy to drive inclusive, sustainable change. With deep regional experience and proven impact in social entrepreneurship, we help you move from intention to transformation.

Visit: www.peoplesystemsconsultancy.com
Contact us today to co-create your next impactful initiative.

References

  1. World Bank (2023): https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2022/07/21/covid-19-boosted-the-adoption-of-digital-financial-services
  2. FinDev Gateway (2024): https://www.findevgateway.org/region/financial-inclusion-east-asia-and-pacific
  3. Nature (2024): https://www.nature.com/articles/s41599-024-03201-3
  4. Forbes (2024): https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinesscouncil/2024/09/20/why-comprehensive-financial-literacy-is-a-must-for-economic-equity/
  5. World Economic Forum (2023): https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/07/financial-inclusion-women-entrepreneurs-asia/
  6. ASEAN SME Policy Index (2023): https://asean.org/book/asean-sme-policy-index-2023/
  7. The Guardian (2025): https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/08/how-trump-tariffs-could-push-vietnam-into-the-arms-of-china
  8. The Times UK (2025): https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/trump-tariffs-cambodia-clothing-export-factories-qb6fwqvkz
  9. Reuters (2025): https://www.reuters.com/markets/asia/us-tariffs-china-slowdown-cloud-developing-asias-growth-outlook-says-adb-2025-04-09/
  10. Baker McKenzie (2025): https://insightplus.bakermckenzie.com/bm/international-commercial-trade/malaysia-us-tariffs-on-malaysian-imports-announced-on-2-april-2025