Addis Ababa Action Agenda

The draft Addis Ababa Action Agenda highlights the importance of financial access and the need to support financial inclusion efforts as one of the pillars of successful global development, noting its positive impact on the poor, women, rural communities, marginalized communities and persons with disabilities. It specifically highlights in paragraph 39:

"Many people, especially women, still lack access to financial services, as well as financial literacy, which is a key for social inclusion. We will work towards full and equal access to formal financial services for all. We will adopt or review our financial inclusion strategies, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, and will consider including financial inclusion as a policy objective in financial regulation, in accordance with national priorities and legislation. We will encourage our commercial banking systems to serve all, including those who currently face barriers to access financial services and information. We will also support microfinance institutions, development banks, agricultural banks, mobile network operators, agent networks, cooperatives, postal banks and savings banks as appropriate. We encourage the use of innovative tools, including mobile banking, payment platforms and digitalized payments. We will expand peer learning and experience sharing among countries and regions, including through the Alliance for Financial Inclusion and regional organizations. We commit to strengthen capacity development for developing countries, including through the UN development system, and encourage mutual cooperation and collaboration between financial inclusion initiatives."