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2019 AFI ANNUAL REPORT
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 3: GLOBAL ADVOCACY ON FINANCIAL INCLUSION POLICY ACHIEVEMENTS
In 2019, AFI continued to amplify members’ voices in the global arena, including with the G-24 and G20 GPFI and at the annual Global Policy Forum. As part of its objective to engage with developed country regulators to advance financial inclusion through knowledge sharing, AFI convened financial regulators from developing and developed economies at various high-level events to discuss converging financial inclusion challenges. It was observed that AFI’s knowledge products and tools have been referenced in various global forum reports and discussions, a signal that AFI is a strong voice for members on the implementation of financial inclusion policies.
The mandate of advancing financial inclusion is not a task of a single institution, but a cooperative and supportive effort among different stakeholders.” From the keynote address of the guest of honor, His Excellency Dr Édouard Ngirente, Prime Minister of the Republic of Rwanda
KEY ENABLERS
THE 2019 AFI GLOBAL POLICY FORUM USING TECHNOLOGY FOR INCLUSION OF WOMEN AND YOUTH 11-13 SEPTEMBER, KIGALI, RWANDA
1. GLOBAL POLICY FORUM The Global Policy Forum (GPF) is AFI’s primary global event convening financial inclusion policymakers and regulators from emerging and developing countries, as well as developed economies. The 11th annual AFI GPF was held in September 2019 and co-hosted by the National Bank of Rwanda. Over 670 participants from across the world convened in Kigali, Rwanda for a week of official meetings with AFI Working Groups and Regional Initiatives, as well as the Annual General Meeting and GPF. The theme of the 2019 AFI GPF, “Using Technology for Inclusion of Women and Youth”, showcased the financial inclusion experience of Rwanda and highlighted how the use of technology will support progress on financial inclusion among society’s most vulnerable groups, especially women and youth. The key policy outcomes of the 2019 GPF were: the adoption of the Policy Model for E-Money and the AFI Core Set Policy Model; the appointment of AFI members as Gender Inclusive Finance Ambassadors; the inaugural meeting of the IGFWG; and the announcement of multiple new strategic partnerships. The GPF culminated in the adoption of the Kigali Statement: Accelerating Financial Inclusion for Disadvantaged Groups, which aims to build consensus across the network to accelerate financial inclusion through concrete actions and collaborative initiatives that will harness the economic potential of the disproportionately excluded and ensure no one is left behind.
I am confident that our meeting this year will be proved to be the harbinger of a new era of financial inclusion and pave the way for more milestones to be achieved in 2020. Definitely AFI is capable of making a financial world for every single person.” From the opening remarks of Governor Fazle Kabir of Bangladesh Bank and outgoing AFI Board Chair at the Opening Session of the 2019 AGM Kigali Statement, AFI GPF 2019.
