Access to financial services via mobile phones has proven to be a huge boost to development. Why aren’t more countries following Kenya’s success? Join us on Thursday 23 April, 1-3pm BST to discuss

A factory worker in Mumbai is about to settle down to a snack of samosas and chai when he gets a call from his wife in Uttar Pradesh who complains she is out of cash. No problem he says, and hangs up to send a transfer via text message. This is the latest ad for M-Pesa mobile money in India - part of a strategic campaign to target migrant workers.

M-Pesa launched in India two years ago, but so far it hasn’t had the huge impact it made in Kenya. In September 2014 M-Pesa had 370,000 users in India, where Vodafone, who provide the service, has 173 million customers. This is despite the country having huge potential in this area, with high mobile penetration and millions lacking bank services.