The Centre for Excellence in Financial Inclusion (CEFI) has successfully delivered a five-day Financial Literacy Train the Trainer (ToT) programme under its Expression of Interest arrangement, held from 15 to 19 December 2025.
The Expression of Interest arrangement enables interested individuals to undertake accredited Financial Literacy Training and become certified trainers, strengthening national capacity to promote sound financial practices across Papua New Guinea.
The ToT programme aimed to equip and empower public servants, small and medium enterprise (SME) operators and individuals with effective training techniques and personal money management skills, enabling them to transfer this knowledge within their communities.
A total of 26 participants graduated as certified Financial Literacy Trainers, including 18 women. Certificates were formally presented on Friday, 19 December, at the CEFI Office in Port Moresby.
CEFI’s Acting Executive Director, Mr Peter Samuel, commended participants, particularly those who had self-sponsored their attendance. “Your willingness to invest in yourselves reflects a genuine passion for promoting financial literacy,” Mr Samuel said. He reminded graduates that while the training had equipped them with tools and knowledge, “the responsibility now rests with you to become agents of change in your communities.”
Mr Samuel highlighted that Papua New Guinea continued to face a weak savings culture. “Many citizens still treat bank accounts as transit points rather than long-term savings instruments,” he said, noting that nearly 80 per cent of the population remained in the informal sector. He explained that CEFI was established by the Central Bank of Papua New Guinea to address these challenges through development-focused initiatives, including the integration of financial education into the national school curriculum. “We expect pilot implementation before a nationwide rollout by 2027,” he added.
CEFI’s Acting Manager for Financial Inclusion and Capacity Development, Mr Sebastian Mugup, thanked participants and their sponsoring organisations for their commitment. He confirmed that graduates were now nationally recognised financial literacy trainers. “This certification will support future access to microfinance and loans,” Mr Mugup said.
Participant Mr Koda Daniel described the training as timely, stating that “financial literacy and a strong savings culture are critical for long-term economic change.”
Female participant Ms Wenley Bosing, a teacher at La Salle Technical School, expressed gratitude on behalf of the women trainers, noting that the programme had strengthened professional networks and empowered trainers to serve communities nationwide.
Ends.
About CEFI
CEFI was established under the Association Incorporation Act and officially launched on the 24th of April 2013. CEFI was endorsed by PNG’s National Executive Council (NEC) as the industry apex organization for coordinating, advocating and moniotoring all financial inclusion activities in PNG.
CEFI’s vision, mission and values focus on financial inclusion and literacy, poverty elimination and the promotion of vibrant financial institutional operation in Papua New Guinea.
Visit our website – www.thecefi.org
Media Contact:
Mr. Leslie Omaro
Communication Officer
Phone: 7464 5678
Email: lomaro@thecefi.org
Images from the five-day Financial Literacy Train the Trainer (ToT) programme under its Expression of Interest arrangement, held from 15 to 19 December 2025.
