AFI Global Financial Inclusion Awards - Alliance for Financial Inclusion

The Nominations for the 2025 AFI Global Financial Inclusion Awards are now CLOSED.
Thank you to all those who have submitted their nominations for the Award.

The deadline has been extended to 30 May 2025.

Each year, the AFI Awards honor institutions and individuals who have gone to extraordinary lengths to develop and implement policies that expand the access and use of safe, convenient and affordable financial services.

Terms and Conditions may be viewed here.

The Nestor Espenilla Jr. Financial Inclusion Innovation Award  

Recognizing AFI members that demonstrate outstanding commitment towards innovation and use of technology to advance financial inclusion.  It honors the memory and legacy of Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, a founding member of AFI.

Link to nomination form: Click here.

Who is eligible to apply?
Open to AFI member institutions that are implementing unique policy innovations that create an enabling environment for the introduction of technological and or business innovations towards addressing challenges of financial inclusion.

Criteria for the Award
I. Commitment: Demonstrated commitment to fostering new technologies and innovations that drive financial inclusion.
II. Policies and Initiatives: Actively developed, updated and implemented evidence-based policies and initiatives that promote new technologies and innovation.
III. Impact: Implementing policy solutions or initiatives that resulted in significant and measurable impact in driving financial inclusion.
IV. Leadership: Displayed leadership in peer learning and enabled knowledge exchange at global or regional level

How to Apply?
Eligible AFI member institutions must nominate themselves by completing the nomination form, outlining their institution’s achievements as per the criteria listed above.

The Global Youth Financial Inclusion Award 

Recognizing financial policymakers and regulators who are undertaking impactful initiatives, policies or regulations to accelerate financial inclusion of youth. It is open to AFI members and non-member financial sector regulators and policymakers from any country.  

Link to nomination form: Click here.

Who is eligible to apply?
Open to any financial policymaking or regulatory institution across the globe that are implementing high impact policy solutions including regulations that addresses structural barriers preventing the financial inclusion of youth.

Criteria for the Award
I. Commitment: Demonstrated commitment to remove structural barriers faced by youth in accessing formal financial services.
II. Policies and/or initiatives: Actively developed, updated and implemented
evidence-based policies and initiatives that promote youth financial inclusion.
III. Impact: Implemented policy solutions or initiatives that resulted in significant and measurable impact in driving youth financial inclusion
IV. Leadership: Displayed leadership in peer learning and enabled knowledge exchange at the global or regional level on financial inclusion of youth.

How to Apply?
Eligible institutions must nominate themselves by completing the nomination form , outlining their institution’s achievements, as per the criteria listed above.

The Global Youth Financial Inclusion Awards were originally initiated in 2012 by Child & Youth Finance International (CYFI) and transferred to AFI in 2019

The Awards Jury

AFI shall appoint an independent Awards Jury to select the winners in the two categories. Jury members will include individuals who meet the following criteria.

Criteria for Jury Members:

• Financial inclusion policy expert
• High level position in their organization or renowned standing in their sector
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills
• Diversity (equally represent the sexes and the world regions)

How to apply

AFI Recognition Awards

The new AFI Recognition Award is made by the AFI Board of Directors, honors individuals and organizations for their outstanding contributions to the AFI network and to advancing financial inclusion globally. At the AFI 2025 Global Policy Forum in Namibia, the Award was presented to four individuals and institutions.

The AFI 2025 Recognition Awards