Africa Inclusive Finance Week 2025 Highlights Innovation to Bridge Access Gaps
The 2025 Africa Inclusive Finance Week, held in Nairobi from 13–17 October, emphasised innovation and diverse approaches to tackling the continent’s persistent financial access challenges. The event, themed “(Re)focusing on vulnerable people to meet upcoming challenges in inclusive finance”, brought together policymakers, financial institutions, and development partners to explore strategies for financial inclusion.
Alex Mubiru, AfDB Director General for East Africa, outlined the Bank’s investments in inclusive finance, noting that more than one in four people in Sub-Saharan Africa still lack access to basic financial services.
“Inclusive finance is not just about access; it is about empowerment, resilience and opportunity for every African, regardless of circumstance. By learning from global best practices, investing in innovation and putting clients at the centre of everything we do, we can build a more inclusive, resilient and prosperous Africa,” he said during the opening plenary.
The conference highlighted the importance of recognising diverse client needs, particularly among women, youth, small businesses and rural communities. Through gender-focused investments, youth empowerment programmes, and initiatives supporting MSMEs, inclusive finance can act as a catalyst for sustainable growth and long-term stability.
The African Development Bank has adopted an innovative, multi-dimensional approach, utilising blended finance mechanisms and initiatives such as the Africa Digital Financial Inclusion Facility (ADFI) multi-donor fund. This fund strategically invests in digital solutions to overcome systemic barriers, leveraging technology and partnerships to enhance accessibility and usability of financial services.
Key priorities include strengthening both physical and digital infrastructure to reach rural and low-income communities, establishing regulatory, digital identification and tiered KYC frameworks, and working with both public and private sectors to break down social and knowledge barriers for women, youth, and MSMEs.
The week-long conference highlighted the vital role of innovation and partnership in ensuring financial services reach the most vulnerable and marginalised populations across Africa.
