Twenty-three financial literacy trainers from across Papua New Guinea graduated from the Centre for Excellence in Financial Inclusion’s (CEFI) inaugural Digital Financial Literacy Trainers of Trainers (DFLT TOT) Programme, marking a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to strengthen financial inclusion and prepare communities for an increasingly digital economy.
The mini graduation ceremony concluded a week-long training programme that brought together financial literacy trainers from across the country to enhance their digital financial literacy skills, improve financial capability, and expand outreach into communities through a structured training-of-trainers in Digital Financial Literacy Model.
The programme included 23 participants, comprising 12 women and 11 men, representing the National Capital District, Western Highlands, Morobe, Autonomous Region of Bougainville, Jiwaka, Milne Bay, Central, Eastern Highlands, Simbu, East New Britain, New Ireland, East Sepik and Madang provinces.
Speaking at the graduation, Assistant Secretary of the Department of National Planning and Monitoring and CEFI Board Member, Mr. Sanja Papea, emphasized the importance of digital financial literacy in supporting Papua New Guinea’s development aspirations.
He congratulated participants for successfully completing the intensive training and encouraged them to apply their newly acquired knowledge within their communities.
“Digital financial literacy is one of the major contemporary areas as our economy continues to progress. The knowledge, tools and skills you have gained this week will help not only yourselves, but also the people you will train and inspire,” Mr Papea said.
He described the training as a social investment that would create positive change across communities and contribute towards the Government’s broader development agenda and Vision 2050.
“Every small contribution you make can have a significant impact on someone’s life and ultimately contribute to nation-building,” he added.
Bhavan Srivastava, Director of FinValue Advisors, described the training as a major milestone in CEFI’s financial literacy journey and highlighted the collaborative effort behind the development of the digital financial literacy curriculum.
She explained that extensive consultations with stakeholders across Papua New Guinea helped shape a digital financial literacy training module tailored to local needs and realities.
“This is indeed a very big milestone for CEFI. Financial literacy has evolved, and we are now ready to launch digital financial literacy training programmes that will support Papua New Guinea’s journey towards becoming a digital economy,” Mrs Srivastava said.
He praised the participants for their contributions throughout the training and reminded them of their role as ambassadors of financial inclusion.
“You are the people who will bring change. Financial inclusion is not only about access to services; it is about ensuring people can participate safely and confidently in the digital world.”
Delivering the keynote address, George Kulisi, Director of Programme Development at the Department for Community Development and Religion and CEFI Board Member, encouraged graduates to lead by example and begin sharing their knowledge with their families, organizations and communities.
“You are ambassadors. Whatever you have learned this week must start with you first, then your family, your network and your communities,” Mr Kulisi said.
He stressed that participants should not allow the training to become merely another qualification on their curriculum vitae, but instead use it as a practical tool to empower others.
Mr Kulisi also highlighted the importance of digital literacy within the Government’s forthcoming National Informal Economy Policy, noting that digital skills and emerging technologies would play an increasingly important role in Papua New Guinea’s economic development.
Speaking on behalf of the male participants, Jimmy Rick Raphael described the opportunity to attend the training as both an honour and a responsibility.
“It was a privilege for the 23 of us to be selected for this training. Digital financial literacy is the future, and we will become agents of change for the majority of Papua New Guineans,” he said.
Mr Raphael noted that despite previous experience in financial literacy training, the programme provided new insights into digital financial services, online transactions and consumer protection.
Representing the female participants, Freda Korarome said the training introduced participants to a rapidly evolving digital landscape and challenged them to expand their knowledge beyond traditional financial literacy.
“Digital financial literacy was a new space for many of us. We learned there was so much more in that space than we previously understood,” she said.
Ms Korarome encouraged CEFI and its partners to continue supporting trainers through follow-up engagement, capacity-building initiatives and resources. She also called for greater inclusion of persons with disabilities in future training programmes.
Closing the ceremony, CEFI Acting Executive Director Peter Samuel thanked participants, development partners and trainers for their contributions to the successful delivery of the programme.
Mr Samuel highlighted the DFLT programme as a key achievement under Papua New Guinea’s National Financial Inclusion Strategy and outlined several reforms being pursued by the Bank of Papua New Guinea and CEFI to support digital financial services, consumer protection and financial education.
“We have now developed the digital financial literacy programme and are also developing a digital tool to support its rollout. This is a major milestone for CEFI and aligns with the broader reforms taking place within the financial sector,” Mr Samuel said.
He announced plans for CEFI to establish formal partnerships with the newly trained master trainers, enabling them to act as CEFI’s representatives in their respective provinces and communities.
“You will become CEFI agents in empowering communities. Together, we can expand our reach and accelerate financial inclusion throughout Papua New Guinea,” he said.
The graduation marks the beginning of a national rollout of digital financial literacy training, with the newly certified trainers expected to deliver programmes at national, provincial and community levels, helping more Papua New Guineans confidently and safely participate in the digital economy.
Ends.
Image Captions:
Image 1: Training participants and guest speakers gather for a commemorative group photograph following the graduation ceremony.
Image 2: CEFI Acting Executive Director, Peter Samuel (left), presents a certificate to Jacklyn Wilson of Career Link PNG during the graduation ceremony.
Image 3: Director of Programme Development at the Department for Community Development and Religion and CEFI Board Member, George Kulisi (left), awards a certificate to Manasi Badira of Credit and Data Bureau.
Image 4: George Kulisi (left), Director of Programme Development at the Department for Community Development and Religion and CEFI Board Member, presents a certificate to Angela Mong of Cliffy Consultants.
Image 5: CEFI Acting Executive Director, Peter Samuel (left), presents Steven Shon Whallan of Sepik Project Organisation with his certificate.
Image 6: George Kulisi, Director of Programme Development at the Department for Community Development and Religion and CEFI Board Member, congratulates Romano Vendenberg of Build Bougainville Foundation Incorporated while presenting his certificate.
Image 7: Assistant Secretary of the Department of National Planning and Monitoring and CEFI Board Member, Sanja Papea (left), presents Nathan John with his certificate.
Image 8: Freda Korarome of Cottage Livelihood Consultancy delivers an address on behalf of the female participants during the Training of Trainers in Digital Financial Literacy graduation ceremony.
Image 9: Assistant Secretary of the Department of National Planning and Monitoring and CEFI Board Member, Sanja Papea (left), awards a certificate to Harold Wuris.
Image 10: Assistant Secretary of the Department of National Planning and Monitoring and CEFI Board Member, Sanja Papea, delivers the opening remarks at the Training of Trainers in Digital Financial Literacy graduation ceremony.
Image 11: FinValue Advisors Director, Bhavan Srivastava, shares remarks during the Training of Trainers in Digital Financial Literacy graduation ceremony.
Image 12: Director of Programme Development at the Department for Community Development and Religion and CEFI Board Member, George Kulisi, delivers the keynote address at the Training of Trainers in Digital Financial Literacy graduation ceremony.
Image 13: Representing the male participants, Jimmy Rick Raphael delivers a speech during the Training of Trainers in Digital Financial Literacy graduation ceremony.
Image 14: CEFI Acting Executive Director, Peter Samuel, delivers the closing remarks to conclude the Training of Trainers in Digital Financial Literacy graduation ceremony.
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 monitoring 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
