LPEM FEB UI Research: AdaKami Acts as a Financial Buffer When Society Faces Economic Pressures
In Indonesia’s economy, household consumption is the primary driver of growth, contributing more than 54% to Gross Domestic Product (GDP).[1] To maintain this consumption activity, inclusive and affordable financing access is required. One sector that plays a role in meeting these needs is the online lending industry (pindar), whose usage continues to rise among Indonesian society.
The latest study from the Institute for Economic and Social Research at the Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Indonesia (LPEM FEB UI), shows that pindar, with the case study of AdaKami, serves as a financial buffer that helps society manage financial risks and sustain household consumption.
Responding to these findings, AdaKami’s Finance Director, Valentina Juveline, stated that digital financing, when operated with good governance and risk management, can provide real benefits to society. “For AdaKami, this finding confirms that our services have become a financial buffer that helps society manage cash flow more measurably, while still prioritising prudent principles,” she said.
Meanwhile, Prani Sastiono, a researcher at LPEM FEB UI, added that 24.51% of AdaKami borrowers stated that without the loan, they would have to use savings or sell assets to meet needs. These loans are also used to cope with economic shocks due to layoffs, serious illness, or the death of a family member. “With better risk management, households facing unexpected expenses do not have to borrow from moneylenders or other sources with higher interest rates and can maintain savings stability,” she said.
On that occasion, Anjar Sumarjati, Deputy Director of the Directorate of Technology-Based Financing Business Supervision at the Financial Services Authority (OJK), also shared his views, stating that the pindar industry has significantly contributed to meeting the financing needs of society previously unreachable by conventional financial institutions.
Regarding the benefits of AdaKami pindar, Prani Sastiono continued that access to loans helps users avoid detrimental survival strategies such as selling productive assets that might prevent them from working. “For example, if an artist has to sell their musical instrument or a photographer has to sell their camera. With loans available, they can avoid the risk of long-term decline in quality of life,” she emphasised.
These LPEM FEB UI findings further affirm the importance of the pindar industry’s role, including AdaKami, in continuing to provide inclusive financial services by prioritising transparency, strengthening governance, risk management, consumer protection, and collaboration with various parties to drive healthy and sustainable pindar industry growth.