On 17 & 18 June, AFI organized a training session in Accra for its Africa region members, exploring how cyber risks are threatening financial inclusion, and how policymakers can protect consumers and strengthen systems. 

“Over 60% of Sub-Saharan African adults now have access to digital financial services, and  digital finance is reaching ever wider and deeper into our societies,” said Dr Settor Kwabla Amediku,Director, Regional Branch Coordinating Office, Bank of Ghana. “But the more inclusive our systems become, the more vulnerable they are to fraud, manipulation, and cyberattacks. In this regard, inclusion and security must move in tandem. To build truly inclusive digital economies, we must also build resilient, secure, and trusted platforms.”

“Cybersecurity is no longer optional – it is foundational to financial inclusion,” said Dr Eliki Boletawa, AFI Director of Policy Programs and Implementation. “Regulators must lead, and robust cybersecurity frameworks, clear guidance, cross-sector collaboration, and capacity building will be critical. We must act now to protect our gains, secure our future, and ensure that digital finance remains a force for empowerment, not risk.”

The training took place during the 2025 African Financial Inclusion Policy Initiative (AfPI) Meetings, co-hosted with Bank of Ghana. Sessions explored the impact of cyber risks on the uptake and usage of digital financial services, how to build robust cybersecurity frameworks, consumer protection for digital payments, and how to promote digital financial literacy.

The training featured insight from a wide range of institutions, including Bank of Ghana, Central Bank of Nigeria, National Bank of Rwanda, Central Bank of Seychelles, Bank Al-Maghrib, Central Bank of Liberia, GSMA, Mastercard, as well as leading research institutions.