Author: Leslie Omaro

Kerema District has emerged as a national leader in advancing financial literacy among young Papua New Guineans through the Young Mind Savings Campaign (YMSC), an initiative spearheaded by the Centre for Excellence in Financial Inclusion (CEFI) with the support of the Bank of Papua New Guinea (BPNG) and various financial partners.

The three-day campaign, held from 8th to 10th October 2025, concluded with a ceremony at Kerema Coronation Secondary School after successful visits to six schools Epo Uriri Primary, Kerema Coronation Secondary, Karea Primary, Malalaua Secondary, Sikalu Primary, and Ilakaraeta Primary. The programme aimed to instil responsible financial habits among students by teaching them the importance of savings, budgeting, and opening bank accounts.

According to CEFI’s Acting Executive Director, Mr Peter Samuel, Kerema was the first district in the country to implement the 2025 campaign, resulting in the opening of over 300 new student bank accounts. He expressed gratitude to financial institutions such as MiBank, Women’s Micro Bank (Mama Bank), Nambawan Super, Nambawan Savings & Loan, and BSP, which participated in the campaign and facilitated on-site account openings.

Mr Samuel also thanked Credit Bank for its generous provision of merchandise for participating schools, and extended appreciation to the Securities Commission of PNG, Bank of PNG, and the Kerema District Administration for their partnership. He further acknowledged Hon. Thomas Opa, Minister for Finance and Member for Kerema Open, for his continued support of youth financial education.

At the closing ceremony, Mr Danny Koka, CEFI’s Manager for NFIS Coordination and Stakeholder Engagement, commended the cooperation between school administrations, local leaders, and financial institutions. He said that financial literacy formed the foundation of self-reliance and economic growth, encouraging students to open bank accounts early to build a secure financial future.

Kerema District Administrator, Mr Sarufa Ako, praised the collaboration between CEFI and the Kerema District Development Authority (KDDA) under their Memorandum of Agreement (MOU), signed in November 2023. He said the campaign went beyond promoting savings, aiming to equip young people with vital money management skills that sustain livelihoods and empower communities.

Representatives from the participating financial institutions described the initiative as a practical approach to introducing students to formal banking. A spokesperson for MiBank said the campaign gave students “a valuable opportunity to learn the benefits of saving and understand how to manage money responsibly.” Similarly, a representative from Women’s Micro Bank stated that encouraging financial discipline among youth would “help shape a generation of financially independent citizens.”

Students also expressed enthusiasm for the campaign, with one Malalaua Secondary student saying it had taught them “the importance of saving for the future” and given them confidence to manage money wisely. Another student from Sikalu Primary shared that opening a savings account made them “feel proud and responsible.”

Teachers and parents also welcomed the awareness sessions on Capital Markets, Investments, and Treasury Bills, saying the information helped them distinguish legitimate financial institutions from fraudulent schemes. Many requested that similar campaigns be extended to other schools across the province.

Given its success, stakeholders urged that the Young Mind Savings Campaign be included in Kerema District’s annual work plan to ensure continued financial education for young people. The campaign, part of CEFI’s Provincial Government Engagement Programme and the Third National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS 2023–2027), seeks to reach two million unbanked citizens by 2027, with half being women.

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Images from the Young Mind Savings Campaign that was rolled out at Kerema Coronation Secondary School, Epo Uriri Primary, Karea Primary, Malalaua Secondary, Sikalu Primary, and Ilakaraeta Primary, in the Kerema District in Gulf Province.

A total of 39 employees from K92 Mining Limited successfully completed a week-long Financial Literacy Training programme held in Kainantu from 27th to 30th October 2025.

The training, which brought together 24 men and 15 women from various divisions of the mine, was aimed at strengthening employees’ money management skills and promoting responsible financial behaviour.

The initiative was organised and hosted by K92 Mining’s Human Resources Management in partnership with the Centre for Excellence in Financial Inclusion (CEFI), under a contractual agreement between the two organisations. The programme forms part of K92 Mining’s ongoing efforts to enhance the financial well-being of its workforce.

The training was conducted in four separate batches at the China Harbour Engineering Conference facilities located on the mine site. Participants represented several key departments, including Commercial, Environment, Mining, Human Resources, and Health and Safety.

According to the K92 management, the programme was introduced in response to a growing number of employee requests for salary advances an indicator of financial strain and poor personal financial planning. By engaging CEFI, the company aimed to provide its employees with the practical tools and knowledge needed to make informed financial decisions.

Throughout the sessions, participants explored a range of core topics, including the importance of saving, budgeting, income and expense tracking, cash flow management, and maintaining proper financial records. Each day’s training was designed to be interactive and relevant to the participants’ financial circumstances.

At the end of the training, all 39 participants receives certificates of participation, recognising their achievement and commitment to improving their financial literacy.

A spokesperson for K92 Mining’s HR Department stated that the company remains committed to empowering its workforce beyond the workplace. “Financial literacy is an essential life skill. By equipping our employees with this knowledge, we are helping them manage their income more effectively, reduce reliance on loans or salary advances, and ultimately achieve greater financial stability,” the spokesperson said.

The successful completion of this training marks another milestone in K92 Mining’s ongoing efforts to support employee development and promote financial inclusion within the workplace.

 

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Images showing the K92 Mine employees participating in the Financial Literacy Training.

The Centre for Excellence in Financial Inclusion (CEFI) and the International Training Institute (ITI) have formalised a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening financial literacy, academic collaboration, and workforce readiness for Papua New Guinea’s next generation of professionals.

The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) took place on Thursday, 27th November 2025, at the ITI Campus, signalling a significant step towards enhancing financial education and improving access to skills development for young Papua New Guineans.

The MoU outlines key areas of cooperation, including financial literacy and education capacity buildingand educational capacity-building for students and staff, mutual learning and exchange, curriculum development, internship placements, and joint participation in seminars, conferences, and career programmes.

Through this partnership, both institutions aim to nurture a younger generationworkforce equipped with essential financial knowledge, entrepreneurial skills, and practical experience needed to navigate PNG’s evolving economic landscape.

Speaking at the ceremony, CEFI’s Acting Executive Director, Mr Peter Samuel, highlighted the importance of the collaboration in expanding financial inclusion across the country. “CEFI was created through the Micro Expansion Project with ADB and other donors who recognised the need for access to finance, especially for those at the base of the pyramid,” he said.

He emphasised ITI’s unique role in providing accessible education, adding, “ITI provides a pathway that no other institution in the country provides. It gives opportunities to those who have been pushed out by the system, helping them build their lives and careers.”

Mr Samuel also shared his positive experience with ITI graduates, describing them as “very productive and efficient,” and stressed the importance of practical implementation of the partnership. “Signing is one thing, but operationalising it and adding value to students’ lives is what I would really like to see,” he remarked. He expressed confidence in future collaborations, stating, “We’re looking forward to more collaborations.”

ITI Chairman and Co-Founder, Mr Senthil Kumaran Sentheyval, reaffirmed ITI’s commitment to strengthening financial literacy for students and acknowledged CEFI’s expertise.

“Finance is the most important thing and the students must be trained on financial literacy.”

Mr Sentheyval outlined opportunities for collaboration, especially for students pursuing Tourism, SME and other business-related studies.

“We are trying to get some of them (students) to start their own business with financial literacy and education on now they can manage their money and how they can look after it,” he explained.

He described the partnership with CEFI as a “mutual benefit”, adding, “We (ITI) are here to complement their (CEFI) service and we know they’re doing a very great job.”

He also acknowledged CEFI’s sponsorship of ITI’s 2026 AI Summit.

Both organisations have expressed their readiness to commence joint planning immediately as they move towards operationalising the MoU and delivering meaningful, long-term impact for PNG’s education and economic sectors.

 

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About CEFI

CEFI was established under the Association Incorporation Act and officially launched on the 24^th 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

 

Caption:  CEFI Acting Executive Director Mr. Peter Samuel (right) and ITI Chairman and Co-Founder, Mr Senthil Kumaran Sentheyval sign the MoU Documents.

Image Caption:  Below Photos from the MoU Signing.

 

They arrived as strangers but left as advocates united by a shared desire to change the financial habits of their families, workplaces, and communities. Participants agreed that the week long experience not only strengthened their skills but reshaped their outlook on money.

This sentiment echoed throughout the closing ceremony of CEFI’s Financial Literacy Trainer of Trainers (ToT) Program, held from 3^rd  to the 7^th of November 2025 at the CEFI Office in Port Moresby.

In his address, CEFI’s Acting Executive Director, Mr. Peter Samuel, said the group’s participation reflected a shift in mindset an essential foundation for addressing Papua New Guinea’s deep-rooted spending culture.

Mr. Samuel noted that many Papua New Guineans continue to struggle with saving because generational habits and communal obligations often outweigh long term financial goals.

He emphasized that financial empowerment requires intentional planning, particularly in an environment where fees, rising costs, and financial pressures place many households at risk.

Mr. Samuel also commended the dedication of the 35 newly certified trainers (17 males and 18 females) from eight provinces adding that CEFI cannot do the training alone.

He acknowledged organizations and individuals who funded themselves to attend the training, saying their commitment demonstrates “a willingness to change not just society, but themselves”.

Guest speaker Dr. Nancy Irwin, CEO of Nuterra Inc., described the training as a testament to the idea that “skills are lasting empowerment”. She encouraged participants to remain connected as a network of change agents, reminding them that “power is network” and urging them to serve as positive influencers in their communities.

Male participant Mr. Ben Bande thanked CEFI for the opportunity, explaining that the program strengthened their understanding of savings, budgeting, and cash-flow planning—knowledge they will carry forward as better financial managers and trainers.

Participants represented diverse professional backgrounds and travelled from across the country, including:

• Port Moresby (NCD) – 25
• New Ireland (Kavieng) – 4
• Morobe (Lae) – 2
• Madang – 1
• Eastern Highlands (Goroka) – 1
• West Sepik (Vanimo) – 1
• Gulf (Kerema) – 1
• Hela (Tari) – 1

This second batch under the Expression of Interest arrangement marks another important milestone in expanding CEFI’s nationwide network of Financial Literacy Trainers.

 

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About CEFI

CEFI was established under the Association Incorporation Act and officially launched on the 24^th 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

Image Caption: Photos from the week long TOT Training and Certificate Presentation.

 

A four-day Financial Literacy Retail Training was conducted for smallholder farmers from Inland Baining, Gazelle District, East New Britain Province, from 1st to 4th October 2025. The training was facilitated by the Centre for Excellence in Financial Inclusion (CEFI) in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Conservation and Environment Protection Authority (CEPA) under the GEF7-FOLUR Project.

The event, held at Rapopo Plantation Resort in Kokopo, brought together 45 participants  23 men and 22 women  involved in cocoa and fresh produce farming. The farmers were divided into two batches, with Batch One trained from 1st–2nd October and Batch Two from 3rd–4th October.

The sessions covered key topics such as money management, savings plans, household budgeting, tracking income and expenses, cash flow management for seasonal crops, and accessing financial services. Representatives from financial institutions including NCSL, BSP, Kadaporoman Microfinance Limited, and East New Britain Savings and Loans Society also attended to share information on their products and services.

According to CEFI, the training aimed to equip farmers with essential financial skills to better manage income, reduce debt, and build savings to strengthen their economic resilience.

The initiative forms part of broader efforts to advance financial inclusion, promote sustainable livelihoods, and support the PNG Vision 2050.

It further contributes to the FOLUR Impact Programme’s goal of fostering sustainable and inclusive rural economic growth across New Britain Island.

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Image Caption: Participants from Inland Baining, Gazelle District, take part in group discussions and practical exercises during the four-day Financial Literacy Retail Training held at Rapopo Plantation Resort in Kokopo. The training, facilitated by the Centre for Excellence in Financial Inclusion (CEFI) in partnership with UNDP and CEPA under the GEF7-FOLUR Project, equipped cocoa and fresh produce farmers with vital financial management skills to strengthen their livelihoods.

 

The Centre for Excellence in Financial Inclusion (CEFI), in collaboration with the Department of Community Development and Religion (DFCDR) and the West New Britain Provincial Government, successfully conducted a five-day Training of Trainers (ToT) program from 13th to 17th October 2025 at the Kadeemah Motel in West New Britain.

The program brought together 27 participants, including 21 men and 6 women, representing Community Development Officers and officials from the provincial and district administrations of Nakanai and Kandrian–Gloucester. The training aimed to enhance participants’ facilitation and training skills while deepening their knowledge of key financial literacy topics such as savings, budgeting, and cash flow management.

During the sessions, representatives from the Nasfund Contributors Savings and Loan Society (NCSL) presented information on various financial products and services. Several participants reportedly took the opportunity to open savings accounts with NCSL, reflecting an immediate positive outcome of the training.

The ToT program concluded on Friday, 17th October 2025, with a certificate presentation ceremony that coincided with the official opening of the District Community Development Centre (DCDC) in Biala.

This initiative was part of ongoing efforts to strengthen community development and promote financial inclusion throughout West New Britain Province. By empowering local officers with practical financial literacy skills, the program aimed to ensure that communities across the province would benefit from improved financial awareness and inclusion initiatives.

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Caption:  Community Officers from West New Britain attended a Training of Trainers (ToT) session, where NCSL representatives also shared insights on financial products and services. The training strengthened participants’ facilitation skills and deepened their understanding of key financial literacy topics, including savings, budgeting, and cash flow management.

A week-long financial inclusion outreach held from 6th to 11th October 2025 saw cocoa farmers in the Inland Baining area of East New Britain gain access to formal banking services for the first time.

The initiative, organized by the Centre for Excellence in Financial Inclusion (CEFI) in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) under the FOLUR Project, took place across six villages in the Inland Baining Local Level Government (LLG) of the Gazelle District.

According to organizers, the account-opening programme was conducted in Manapki, Bruit, Rangulit, Kasaska, Malasaet, and Alakasam villages, where teams from several financial institutions provided on-site services to local communities.

Participating institutions included East New Britain Savings and Loan Society (ENBSL), Kadaporoman Microfinance Limited, Nationwide Microbank, Nasfund Contributors Savings and Loan Society (NCSL), and BSP Financial Group Limited.

It was reported that between 20 and 30 new accounts were opened by each institution in every community, signaling strong local interest and growing trust in formal financial systems.

CEFI representatives said the outreach demonstrated the effectiveness of collaboration in promoting financial inclusion in remote areas. They explained that access to basic banking services would empower families, support small-scale cocoa farmers, and foster a culture of saving and financial management.

The programme was described as a key milestone in the ongoing efforts to strengthen rural livelihoods and ensure that economic opportunities reach all communities in East New Britain.

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Caption: Images  showing representatives from financial institutions opening accounts for Cocoa farmers in Inland Baining in East New Britain Province.