This week, three AFI Working Groups (Financial Inclusion Data & Impact, Inclusive Green Finance, and SME Finance) held a joint meeting in Victoria, Seychelles, co-hosted by the Central Bank of Seychelles.

The event brought together 131 participants from 59 member institutions. In addition to discussing developments within each Working Group area, participants explored the potential to leverage data, regulatory frameworks, and green finance solutions to enhance financial inclusion and foster sustainable economic growth.

“This presents an invaluable opportunity for us to share experiences, exchange best practices, and explore new pathways to drive financial inclusion,” said Brian Commettant, First Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Seychelles. “Together, we can leverage the power of SME finance, inclusive green finance, and financial inclusion data to build more inclusive economies that serve all people, especially the most vulnerable.”

Dr Eliki Boletawa, AFI’s Director of Policy Programs and Implementation, said “the links between Inclusive Green Finance and SME finance are clear: greening the MSME sector not only supports climate goals, but also opens up new economic opportunities through innovative financing. Similarly, the connection with Financial Inclusion Data and Impact is pivotal—our IGF Progress Measurement Framework and upcoming discussions on evaluating the impact of green taxonomies, a key focus of this meeting, depend on robust data to quantify outcomes, assess climate risks, and align with global standards.”

On 22 March, the Central Bank of Seychelles and other national stakeholders presented how inclusive green finance, data and SME finance are serving to advance financial inclusion in the island nation.

AFI Working Groups are the primary mechanism for generating knowledge within the AFI network, helping policymakers to deepen their understanding of key financial inclusion issues.