The Centre for Excellence in Financial Inclusion (CEFI) and The Leprosy Mission Papua New Guinea (TLM-PNG) have formalised a new partnership aimed at improving financial literacy and financial inclusion among vulnerable communities across Papua New Guinea.
The two organizations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Tuesday March 31 at the CEFI Office in Port Moresby. The agreement establishes a collaborative framework for delivering financial literacy training and related financial inclusion initiatives over the next three years.
Under the partnership, CEFI will provide financial literacy training for 25 TLM-PNG staff and key volunteers who are actively involved in community-based development programmes. The training will support projects where financial capability is essential, including the Preventive Health and Community Empowerment (PHACE) programme, Sustainable Active, Fearless and Empowered (SAFE) Communities initiative, Kominiti Assistance Package (KAP) and Climate Change Resilience (CCR), and crab farming projects.
In addition, the programme aims to reach at least 500 community participants over the three-year period of the MoU through community-based retail financial literacy training.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, CEFI Acting Executive Director Mr. Peter Samuel described the partnership as an important milestone for the organisation. He said the collaboration marks the first time CEFI has entered into a formal partnership with a health-focused organisation working directly with marginalised communities.
Mr. Samuel noted that CEFI has traditionally partnered with financial institutions but emphasised that financial inclusion must extend beyond the financial sector.
“For us, this is a very unique partnership because we have mainly focused on traditional partners such as financial institutions. However, our agenda and even our name speaks about financial inclusion,” he said.
He added that the concept of inclusion must recognise organisations that work with individuals who are often excluded from mainstream systems and services.
“The word inclusion should not exclude other agencies that play a critical role in supporting people who are marginalised,” Mr. Samuel stated. “Your organisation empowers groups of people who are often outcast by society or overlooked by institutions.”
Mr. Samuel also encouraged both organisations to ensure the partnership translates into meaningful action and tangible results for communities.
“Let us not just sign the MoU and put it aside,” he said. “We must share our work programmes and find ways to collaborate so that the partnership delivers real outcomes for the communities we serve.”
Senior Programme Manager for PHACE, Mr. Larson Neayambe, welcomed the partnership and expressed appreciation for CEFI’s support in strengthening the organisation’s community empowerment initiatives.
Mr. Neayambe explained that while TLM-PNG primarily focuses on health programmes related to leprosy detection, treatment and patient support, the organisation is increasingly integrating livelihood and empowerment initiatives to address poverty and social exclusion.
He noted that programmes such as the SAFE initiative aim to equip vulnerable individuals, including those affected by leprosy, with literacy skills and livelihood opportunities so they can become self-reliant.
“We want to see projects that empower people so they can sustain themselves,” he said.
Mr. Neayambe also acknowledged that TLM-PNG does not have the technical expertise to deliver financial literacy training independently, making the partnership with CEFI particularly valuable.
“We are a health organisation and we don’t have the capacity or expertise to facilitate financial literacy training,” he said. “Thank you so much for accepting us and agreeing to sign this MoU.”
Through the partnership, CEFI will also provide complementary support to strengthen financial inclusion within TLM-PNG programmes, including promoting digital personal banking and facilitating bank account openings for community participants during or immediately after financial literacy training sessions.
Both organisations expressed confidence that the collaboration will contribute to improved financial capability, stronger livelihoods, and greater social inclusion for vulnerable communities across Papua New Guinea.
Ends.
Image Captions:
Image 1: CEFI Acting Executive Director Mr. Peter Samuel delivering his opening remarks during the signing ceremony (right).
Image 2: Mr Larson Neayambu from The Leprosy Mission PNG delivering his remarks on behalf of TLM during the signing ceremony.
Image 3: Mr Larson Neayambu (right) and Mr Peter Samuel (left) participating in the official signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
Image 4: Mr Larson Neayambu (right) and Mr Peter Samuel signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
Image 5: Mr Larson Neayambu and Mr Peter Samuel pose for the official photograph following the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
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
