Leaders’ perspectives

Leaders’ Perspectives is a series of articles written by the heads of central banks within the AFI network that feature insight on effective solutions that address national and regional financial inclusion implementation challenges.

We invite our heads of institutions to share opinions, ideas and thoughts to help shape the global discourse on how to reach the remaining 1.7 billion unbanked.

The Philippines

Benjamin E. Diokno

Governor, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas

Recognizing the critical role of the financial industry in developing resilient growth, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas responded to the global COVID-19 pandemic by facilitating environmentally and socially responsible business models through a Sustainable Finance Framework. Governor Benjamin E. Diokno shares important learnings about how this has changed the way the central bank implements policies for future disasters.-Read More

The Philippines

Benjamin E. Diokno

Governor, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas

The Philippines has long been named as one of the world’s most vulnerable countries to climate change risks due to its geographical location. The BSP advocates a progressive and calibrated approach to transition without compromising sustainability objectives. The BSP also calls for stronger global and multi-stakeholder collaboration to address the multidimensional aspects of climate and environmental action and ensure a “just transition.”-Read More

São Tomé and Príncipe

Americo Barros

Governor, Banco Central de Sao Tome e Principe

Climate change has posed a major obstacle in access to finance, especially for low-income earners and vulnerable segments of our population especially those who depend on farms and sea for their livelihoods.-Read More

Malaysia

Datuk Nor Shamsiah Mohd Yunus

Governor, Bank Negara Malaysia

Financial inclusion is equally, if not more important, for women. With women constituting half of the population, their role in the development of their local communities and national economies is critical.-Read More

Russia

Ksenia Yudaeva

First Deputy Governor, Bank of Russia

Achieving gender equality and women’s empowerment is integral to the SDGs. By ensuring protection of the rights of women and girls across all the goals, we will achieve justice and inclusion, establish economies that will work for all, and sustain our shared environment now and for future generations.-Read More

Samoa

Maiava Atalina Emma Ainuu-Enari

Governor, Central Bank of Samoa

Women are the ideal agents for the financial inclusion policy agenda. When women are financially included, they realize the objectives and intended benefits on their households. Women, especially mothers, will ensure that the needs of her family – e.g., education, health and daily living – are put above her own, or any other priorities, and will manage the household finances to ensure this.-Read More

Honduras

Ethel Deras Enamorado

Presidenta, Comisión Nacional de Bancos y Seguros (CNBS) de Honduras

Our women’s financial inclusion initiatives are key to economic development, as they seek to enhance opportunities for women and contribute to our national plan targets to reduce the gender gap. Our work also contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals, namely goal five on gender equality, specifically, in the financial sector.-Read More

Ecuador

Dr. Ruth Arregui Solano

Superintendent, Superintendencia de Bancos

Since the last century, studies found that the development and well-being of families has a direct relationship with access to credit. More recently, however, studies began to show that access to adequate financial products and services was also paramount. Since then, many new aspects have been added to strengthen the four pillars of financial inclusion: access, usage, quality and welfare.-Read More

Peru

Socorro Heysen Zegarra

Superintendent, Superintendencia de Banca, Seguros y AFP

Financial inclusion for women is a key enabler in reducing poverty and improving well-being. Access to financial services – such as saving accounts, loans and insurance products – means having the opportunity to improve one’s economic status. Increasing women's economic opportunities has a positive impact on human capital, as women tend to prioritize their children’s education and health.-Read More

Costa Rica

Rocio Aguilar

Superintendenta, Superintendencia General de Entidades Financieras (SUGEF)

As financial regulators and policymakers, we strive towards initiatives that promote a market which is comprised of high potential women. Women entrepreneurs in particular, represents a neglected segment in need of accessing financing and new financial instruments.-Read More

Lesotho

Retšelisitsoe A. Matlanyane (PhD)

Governor, Central Bank of Lesotho

For a long time, women have been operating at the margins of the formal economy. The role of women in the mainstream economy has been increasing over time with women’s participation in business. For this reason, financial inclusion is central to our strategy towards reducing poverty and unemployment while we build a stronger and more inclusive private sector.-Read More

Ecuador

Dr. Margarita Hernández

Superintendenta, Superintendencia de la Economía Popular y Solidaria (SEPS)

Financial inclusion is a priority for governments, financial and regulatory authorities, and development agencies worldwide for its ability to eliminate poverty, reduce the income gender gap and, importantly, align national ambitions with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).-Read More

Seychelles

Caroline Abel

Governor, Central Bank of Seychelles and AfPI Vice Chair

Financial inclusion is about ensuring that no one is left behind when it comes to having access to efficient and affordable financial products and services. Therefore, every effort should be invested to continue bridging the gender gap that still exists globally and in all regions.-Read More

Bhutan

Dasho Penjore

Governor, Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan

“Financial inclusion is a key pillar in achieving Bhutan's national goal of sustainable and inclusive socio-economic growth.“-Read More

Uzbekistan

Mamarizo Nurmuratov

Governor, Central Bank of Uzbekistan

“Similarly to many countries, we consider digital channels as an effective method of increasing the accessibility of banking services.“-Read More

Tanzania

Prof. Florence D.A.M Luoga

Governor, Bank of Tanzania

“Making access to basic accounts a right for citizens would accelerate financial inclusion efforts, and enhance the fundamental foundation for expanding financial services to the unbanked population.”-Read More

Seychelles

Caroline Abel

Governor, Central Bank of Seychelles and AfPI Vice Chair

“There is a need to further explore, how technologies can be used to advance financial inclusion and make it more convenient, affordable and fast for consumers to access financial services.”-Read More

The Bahamas

John Rolle

Governor, Central Bank of The Bahamas

“We would like to see people form relationships with banks digitally, enabling persons in remote communities to open bank accounts and to maintain them remotely.”-Read More

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