The potential for innovative technologies to drive financial inclusion was highlighted when AFI’s Eastern Europe & Central Asia Policy Initiative (ECAPI) met in Swakopmund, Namibia, during the 2025 AFI Global Policy Forum. 

The ECAPI meeting, chaired by Trajko Slaveski, Governor of the National Bank of North Macedonia, and moderated by Dilbar Abduganieva, Director of Financial Education and Inclusion at Central Bank of Uzbekistan, coincided with the launch of a major new, ECAPI-produced, AFI publication, Financial Innovations for Financial Inclusion. 

“Bringing over one billion adults into the formal financial sector has only been possible by leapfrogging traditional financial services through new and innovative solutions such as mobile money, agent banking, and QR code payments,” said Arif Nasibov, AFI Regional Manager for Eastern Europe & Central Asia. “This new report will guide AFI members and wider stakeholders to navigate promising innovations that support financial inclusion by detailing the types, impact, and enabling factors of successful initiatives.” 

The report’s production was led by Arsen Aramyan (Central Bank of Armenia) with contributions from Shoira Raximjonova (Central Bank of Uzbekistan) and Gulbakyt Isayeva (Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan for Regulation and Development of Financial Market). 

During the meeting in Swakopmund, the Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina (CBBiH) was welcomed as a new member, and appointed as the new ECAPI Vice-Chair. 

Members also reviewed the status of the ECAPI Workplan for 2024-2028, approved a new edition of the ECAPI Charter, and ⁠reviewed a draft ECAPI Inclusive Green Finance Declaration that will now be circulated among members for formal feedback. 

You can learn more about AFI’s Eastern Europe & Central Asia Policy Initiative on its webpage.