December 13th, 2019
People first: how regulators are addressing the climate emergency
The global climate negotiations, or COP25, in Madrid are drawing to a close. Thousands of people from across the world and different backgrounds have come together to debate the most urgent challenge of our time. On Wednesday, 12 December, the High-Level Event on Climate Emergency witnessed a common call for action that shifted ambitions away from negotiations and into…
November 28th, 2019
OKO discusses FinTech showcase win & potential market expansion
“Winning the FinTech showcase is especially rewarding because this award comes from regulators and it validates the idea that OKO is also supported by regulators and can have a real impact on financial inclusion” OKO Co-founder and CEO Simon Schwall.
Crop insurer OKO beat out nine worthy competitors to take home the top prize at the first-ever FinTech Showcase…
November 27th, 2019
Leaving no one behind: The value of Gender Inclusive Ambassadors
September 13, 2019 was a very special day for me. As the AFI family, we attained milestone recognition with the certification of the first-ever AFI Gender Inclusive Ambassadors. Eleven member institutions were inducted. This is a tool which, if effectively used, can significantly assist us to scale up our efforts in the gender inclusive finance space and bridge the gender gap…
November 12th, 2019
It’s a match! Why FRC Mongolia wants to pair green finance with DFS
Mongolia is embarking on a quiet revolution. Despite the challenges of a tough and sparse terrain, the landlocked country has achieved near-universal financial inclusion and a rare negative gender gap in account ownership. Never resting on its laurels, it is onto the next big thing: green finance.
Amid efforts to pursue a low-carbon economy, the country’s top…
November 6th, 2019
E-money policy model launch reveals rigorous policy shaping process
At the 2019 AFI Annual General Meeting (AGM), member institutions unanimously ratified the network’s first policy model on electronic money (e-money), designed to support the development of an enabling environment for e-money.
The policy model is essentially a codification of various approaches, key lessons and best practices from across AFI’s diverse network. It…
September 27th, 2019
SME finance as seen by regulators: focus on Sub-Saharan Africa
A sound, progressive micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) sector is critical to balanced, inclusive economic growth. According to the International Labour Organization, MSMEs create 67 percent of global employment, yet MSMEs have the potential to assume an even greater role in economies.
Access to financing is crucial for MSMEs to attain their potential. With…
September 9th, 2019
Rwanda’s agaseke baskets hold promise for financial inclusion
Lining the entrance of the Kigali Convention Centre are three large baskets, known as agaseke in Rwanda’s official language of Kinyarwanda. Standing up to two meters tall and streaked in the national colors of green, yellow and blue, these symbols of the country’s rich cultural heritage tower over most of the delegates arriving for the 2019 AFI Global Policy Forum (GPF).
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September 4th, 2019
Using customer-centric data for smarter financial inclusion policies
How can we use financial inclusion data on customers more effectively to bring smart policies to life? insight2impact has been working with AFI’s financial inclusion data (FID) working group to develop a client-centred approach to measure the success of financial inclusion initiatives.
While financial inclusion is typically measured by account uptake rates,…
July 16th, 2019
Inclusive Green Finance – a piece of the SDG puzzle
AFI members are supporting efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs) by exploring and implementing policies under Inclusive Green Finance that advance financial inclusion among the most vulnerable to build resilience and enable mitigation to climate change.
World leaders are in New York this week to discuss if we are on track to meet the 17 SDGs. Under the theme “…
July 10th, 2019
Youth crucial to Rwanda’s success and upcoming GPF
The National Bank of Rwanda (BNR) is hosting this year’s AFI Global Policy Forum (GPF). Deputy Governor Dr Monique Nsanzabaganwa recently sat down with the Alliance to discuss its key themes and her hopes for the flagship event.
Deputy Governor Dr. Monique Nsanzabaganwa, National Bank of Rwanda
In just two months’ time, the BNR will be centerstage as it co-hosts the 2019…