The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) has received an AFI Honorary Recognition award. The award, made by the AFI Board of Directors, celebrates individuals and organizations for their outstanding contribution to the AFI network and to advancing financial inclusion globally. 

Announcing the award at the 2025 AFI Global Policy Forum, AFI CEO, Dr Alfred Hannig, described BMZ as “a like-minded, long-term partner, whose funding and support have been critical in shaping AFI’s growth and development.” 

“BMZ believed from the outset in building an international cooperation model based on equality, country ownership, and peer exchange. They were notably the first funder of AFI’s In-Country Implementation initiative, which has now supported over 80 high-impact policy interventions around the world.” 

On 3 September 2025, with support from BMZ, AFI’s African Financial Inclusion Policy Initiative launched a cybersecurity information sharing initiative which will allow AFI’s African members to collaborate and share intelligence on emerging digital threats.  

Learn more: The Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)