Financial Inclusion Through Oral Information Management
Coach Name
Dr. Juan Juan
EU Organization
Taler Systems SA (Luxembourg)
Members
- Marc Stibane
- Florian Dold
CA Organization
My Oral Village (Canada)
Members
- Brett Matthews
- David Myhre
Project Overview
Taler-OIM makes digital payments accessible for the 1 billion people worldwide who cannot read written numbers. In collaboration between Taler Systems SA and My Oral Village, the project integrated Oral Information Management (OIM) into the GNU Taler Wallet, creating a payment interface that can be used independently by adults with low literacy or numeracy skills.
By replacing written numbers with visual representations of cash and transactions, Taler-OIM allows users to send, receive, and review money transfers on a smartphone—without reading or writing. The app uses animated graphics, intuitive gestures, and symbol-based communication to help users understand value, confirm transactions, and manage finances confidently.
Field-tested in Freetown, Sierra Leone, the system proved that even illiterate users could perform transactions independently, marking a major step toward financial inclusion through human-centred design.
Methods and approaches
Oral Information Management (OIM) Interface Design
Based on extensive behavioral and cognitive research, the OIM approach visualizes amounts as stacks of banknotes and coins, allowing users to recognize and manipulate values without reading numbers. Animated workflows guide users through sending, receiving, and confirming payments in a natural, intuitive way.
User Testing and Co-Design in Sierra Leone
Two field studies with illiterate women were conducted in Freetown, facilitated by local NGO New Salone Woman Organization (NSWO). Feedback directly informed design refinements—such as replacing coin symbols with banknotes, adapting icons to local contexts, and improving visual transaction histories.
Key Achievements
OIM Integration
Integrated OIM mode into the GNU Taler Wallet for iOS, enabling accessible digital transactions.
Usability Studies
Conducted in-the-wild usability studies in Sierra Leone with local participants and interpreters.
Merchant Prototypes
Developed prototypes for merchant payments and visual transaction histories.
Open Design Documentation and Source Code
Shared design documentation and source code openly on git.taler.net.
Presentations at International Forums
Presented findings at the Bank for International Settlements (Basel), PointZero Forum (Zurich), and Future Finance Fest (Vilnius).
Collaboration with Neurodiversity Support Network
Initiated collaboration with the Neurodiversity Support Network of Switzerland to explore applications for users with dyslexia and dyscalculia.
Impact & Results
Inclusive Digital Finance
Taler-OIM demonstrates how inclusive design can bridge the gap between financial technology and users with limited literacy. It enables autonomous digital transactions for those historically excluded from digital banking systems.
Scientific Impact
Scientifically, the project extends research in numerical cognition and human-computer interaction, showing how repetitive, visual digital interactions can teach number concepts over time.
Social Impact
Socially, it empowers marginalized populations—particularly women in cash-based economies—to participate in the digital financial ecosystem.
Publications and Open-Source Contributions
- iOS app via TestFlight: https://testflight.apple.com/join/J1CFel4g
- Source code: https://git.taler.net/taler-oim.git/plain
- iOS Wallet repository: https://git.taler.net/taler-ios.git/tree/TalerWallet1/Views/OIM
- BIS Presentation: BIS Talk Basel
- Research videos: www.taler.net/videos/taler-oim
- Interviews and documentation: OIM Interviews PDF
Future directions
Taler Systems and My Oral Village will continue collaboration to: