In a highly globalized world, and in an era increasingly characterized by the digitalization of essential services, access to necessary technological tools and platforms is critically important in enabling socio-economic mobility, addressing regional disparities, and advancing financial inclusion across the globe. On an individual level, resilience to economic crises remains dangerously low, and lack of digital literacy remains a key structural barrier to reaching equitable financial inclusion. As such, this timely panel discussion will examine the role of both private and public entities in effectively addressing and closing the digital-financial gap, with a particular focus on reaching vulnerable members of society across emerging markets.