AFI LAC Leaders will explore the role of financial inclusion policies in crisis response, while sharing experiences in addressing the challenges for financial inclusion during COVID-19 pandemic.

Purpose and outcome

Leaders’ deliberations are expected to steer peer guidance on practical interventions that may be adapted in the network to sustain the gains of financial inclusion. At the same time, AFI leaders will use this opportunity to specify areas for assistance as part of AFI’s in-country implementation support. Designed to help mitigates the impact of the COVID-19 crisis, AFI Management Unit is using leaders’ virtual dialogues to compile tailored list of in-country support activities based on specific and individual member needs and national policy frameworks.

Leaders’ Virtual Dialogues are aimed to broaden the network’s knowledge base by facilitating AFI leaders with policy response options that further reinforce in-country efforts to mitigate COVID-19 impacts on financial inclusion.

Virtual dialogue modality

The webinar will run for approximately 90 minutes and will be focusing on two main sessions. Each session will commence with a brief presentation by an Executive Member of the AFI Management Unit.  Following these presentations, the discussion will be open for leaders. Their feedbacks will enable the AFI Management Unit to compile tailored in-country support activities in alignment with members’ needs and national policy frameworks.

Session Overview

Session 1 – AFI’s Initiative to Support Members on COVID-19 Policy Responses

AFI Management Unit is implementing an initiative to support members design and time implement policy responses to address the impact of COVID-19. The interventions include in-country implementation, technical assistance, and peer engagement with regulators from advanced countries.

The session aims to highlight AFI’s initiative for supporting members to address the impact of COVID-19 on their financial inclusion goals. It will also provide an opportunity for leaders’ peer exchange of country experiences on policy responses that have had high impact in mitigating challenges faced by the most vulnerable sectors and segments of the population, as well as enhancing regulatory and supervisory capacity.

Session 2 – AFI Strategic Outlook

AFI network is operating in a dynamic global, regional, and domestic financial inclusion landscape. The session aims to highlight AFI’s strategic outlook to gather insights from AFI leaders for organizational sustainability and enhancing value to members. The leaders’ insights and ideas will form the basis for designing its Phase IV strategic plan, further elaborations will be provided as AFI continues to gather strategic inputs from its Leaders.