The Bank of Papua New Guinea (BPNG) successfully hosted the 2026 Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI) Global Policy Forum (GPF) in Port Moresby from 1–4 September 2026, bringing together financial policymakers, central bankers, regulators, development institutions, private-sector leaders and international partners for one of the world’s major gatherings on financial inclusion.
Held under the theme “Resilient Economies, Inclusive Future,” the forum provided a high-level international platform to examine how financial inclusion can contribute to economic resilience, stability, trust and sustainable development amid climate shocks, digital disruption, geopolitical tensions and growing economic fragmentation.
As host institution, BPNG welcomed international delegates to Papua New Guinea for four days of meetings, policy discussions, technical sessions and knowledge exchange across the Hilton Port Moresby Hotel, Sheraton Port Moresby Hotel and APEC Haus.
The programme commenced on Tuesday, 1 September, with AFI Board and committee meetings and sessions involving seven AFI working groups covering consumer empowerment and market conduct, digital financial services, financial inclusion data and impact, financial inclusion strategy, global standards, inclusive green finance and SME finance.
On Wednesday, 2 September, the programme featured the 11th AFI Annual General Meeting, regional initiative meetings and Policy Studios technical breakout sessions. Discussions explored areas including trust, access, opportunity, future-proofing financial inclusion, resilience, integrity and strengthening financial stability through an inclusive green transition. Leadership development programmes for regulators and financial inclusion leaders also formed part of the programme.
The official opening ceremony was held at APEC Haus on Thursday, 3 September, with BPNG Governor Ms Elizabeth Genia delivering welcome remarks alongside the BSP Group CEO Mr. Mark Robinson, AFI Board Chair and National Bank of Rwanda Governor Ms Soraya Hakuziyaremye and AFI Chief Executive Officer Dr Alfred Hannig delivered opening remarks, while Papua New Guinea’s Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. John Rosso, MP, delivered the keynote address on future readiness for inclusive prosperity.
The day continued with sessions on the future architecture of financial inclusion, gender-inclusive finance, policy innovation and leadership, followed by the AFI Global Financial Inclusion Awards.
The forum concluded on Friday, 4 September, with discussions focusing on financial health, women’s financial inclusion, evidence and implementation, and the actions required to deliver resilient economies and an inclusive future. The programme culminated in the official closing ceremony and gala dinner at APEC Haus.
Hosting the 2026 AFI GPF placed Papua New Guinea at the centre of an international exchange of experiences and policy approaches on financial inclusion, while providing BPNG with a platform to showcase the country’s financial inclusion journey to delegates from across the AFI network.
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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
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Mr. Leslie Omaro
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Phone: 79736883
Email: lomaro@thecefi.org
