From everyone at the AFI team in Bangkok – we wish you a very happy and healthy new year for 2010.
2009 was an important year for financial inclusion and for the AFI network itself. Over the past 12 months, we have been overwhelmed by the growing commitment and action of our members and strategic partners, culminating in our coming together at the first AFI Global Policy Forum (GPF) held in Nairobi, Kenya last September.
With solid foundations built, 2010 offers increased opportunities to strengthen the already vibrant AFI network and to ensure policymaker voices from developing are heard and heeded. That’s why, for 2010, AFI will focus efforts on “activating membership and delivering services” – deepening the essence of our network and moving further towards our common goal of enabling greater access to and uptake of financial services, with AFI members placed firmly in the driving seat.
In this the first ‘AFI News’ newsletter of 2010, we’d like to share with you some of the latest AFI products, materials and news, including the report from the 2009 GPF and the launch of AFI’s first ‘Policy Note’ which focuses on consumer protection. We hope you find these interesting and useful to your ongoing work. We welcome your feedback and comments on the newsletter features, as well as on any questions you may have regarding membership, grants, or exploring other working possibilities with AFI and its members.
With best regards,
Alfred Hannig
Executive Director, AFI
POLICY NOTE SERIES: AFI launches its ‘Policy Note Series’, with the first note focusing on the issue of consumer protection. AFI's series of policy notes are made policymakers and focus on the key policy solutions that have been proven to promote financial inclusion in developing countries. Drawing on existing research, they define the policy solution, identify the critical issues for decision-makers and give practical examples from developing countries.
The consumer protection note explores key challenges faced by regulators in addressing this critical issue such as establishing regulation and supervision, defining the role of the financial services industry, making room for consumer input, and promoting financial education.
GLOBAL POLICY FORUM 2009: Following the successful proceedings of the first-ever AFI Global Policy Forum in Nairobi, Kenya, we are now delighted to present the official Forum report as well as video highlights from the popular Fishbowl sessions on mobile and agent banking. Hard-copy packages are also in the process of being sent out to Forum participants by the AFI team.
Download Forum Report >
Download Fishbowl highlights: Mobile Banking video >
Download Fishbowl highlights: Agent Banking video >
AFI STEERING COMMITTEE, 3rd MEETING: The AFI Steering Committee met for the third time on 20 January 2010. Connecting via video-link up, discussions centered around key issues of governance and of future strategic direction. In a major development for AFI governance, the Steering Committee approved and endorsed the ‘AFI by-laws’, enabling a solid governance guideline and base for the ongoing development of the network. These by-laws will be made available on the web site shortly. The Committee were updated on a number of key strategic issues including various collaborations with other stakeholders, AFI involvement with the G20 financial inclusion initiative, AFI member surveys, AFI secondment program and potential venues for the next Global Policy Forum.
AFI TEAM OFFICES: Following many months of working out of temporary space, the team has finally settled in a unit fully dedicated to the AFI team and work, located within Bangkok’s city centre.
MEMBERSHIP UPDATE: Central banks and other policymaking institutions in nearly 80 countries have joined or agreed to join AFI. Four members confirmed their official status at the start of 2010: The Bank of Zambia, the Superintendencia de Bancos de Panamá, the Superintendencia del Sistema Financiero de El Salvador and the Maldives Monetary Authority.
View the full list of our members
GRANTS UPDATE: In the first weeks of January, a delegation from Da Afghanistan Bank participated in an exchange visit to learn about the innovative regulatory approach adopted by the Banko Sentral Sg Pilipinas that has allowed mobile phone banking to take place in the Philippines.
Read more about the exchange visit of Da Afghanistan >
Learn more about AFI grant activities >
Bringing smart policies to life.
16th Floor, Lake Rajada Office Complex
193/63 New Ratchadapisek Road, Klongtoey
Bangkok 10110, Thailand
t +66 2660 3626
f +66 2660 3881
www.afi-global.org
November 2009
Dear Sir/Madam,
Many of us were able to meet in person in Kenya a few weeks ago at
the first AFI Global Policy Forum. Nearly 100 policymakers from 40
countries were in attendance, as were about 80 invited strategic
partners that work closely with policymakers in the field of financial
inclusion. According to participant feedback, 99% were satisfied with
the Forum, and new innovative approaches such as “fishbowl” dialogues
were highly valued.
If you want any more information on the outcome of the Forum or the
progress we have made since the first edition of AFI News, please click
on the links below. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you are
interested in membership, grants, or exploring other working
possibilities with AFI and its members.
With best regards,
Alfred Hannig
Executive Director, AFI
The first AFI Global Policy Forum showed how AFI works in
practice. The Forum, co-hosted with the Central Bank of Kenya,
provided a platform for policymakers and strategic partners to share
practical solutions and hands-on experience on financial inclusion
policies. News from the Forum generated nearly 400 news stories
worldwide. We will be in touch in the next weeks with the Forum
summary report and several video episodes that will capture some of
the intriguing debates.
Download presentations and speeches
>
See the list of participants
>
See some of the highlights of the media coverage
>
View photos from the Forum
>
View video media coverage of the Forum
>
See the feedback from Forum participants
>
AFI membership now nears 70 countries. The Central Banks of
Indonesia and Afghanistan officially joined AFI this past week. AFI
will be visiting Central and Eastern Europe and Latin America in the
coming months in an effort to invite new members from those regions,
to balance our strong numbers in Asia and Africa. View the full list
of our members
>
Six grants awarded with 25 more in the pipeline. This week a
delegation from Kenya visited Brazil and Columbia to learn more
about how agent banking is regulated in those countries. Kenya
requested this knowledge-exchange grant because it is looking to
reform its regulations in this area effective January 2010 and is
looking for insights from countries that have successfully
implemented agent banking regulations. Learn more about our grant
activities
>
Member Surveys on Needs Assessment and Financial Inclusion
Initiatives. The AFI team will be contacting member organizations in
the coming weeks to learn more about how you think AFI can best
assist you in learning about and implementing policies that work for
financial inclusion. AFI will also be gathering a master list of the
types of financial inclusion activities, initiatives, and policies
that are underway in each country. For more information, contact the
AFI team
>
AFI Steering Committee discussed follow-up activities from the
Global Policy Forum. The Steering Committee held its second meeting
right after the Global Policy Forum in Nairobi. At the meeting,
Steering Committee members congratulated AFI on the success of the
Global Policy Forum and suggested a number of follow-up activities.
These include the member surveys described above, the AFI data
platform, continuing the fishbowl discussions in working groups, and
practical policy papers which can be written by AFI members. Prof.
Njuguna Ndung'u, Governor of the Central Bank of Kenya, became the
first chairperson of the Steering Committee. Read more about the
meeting
>
Bringing smart policies to life.
16th Floor, Lake Rajada Office Complex
193/63 New Ratchadapisek Road, Klongtoey
Bangkok 10110, Thailand
t +66 2660 3626
f +66 2660 3881
