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Thirty participants have successfully graduated from a five-day Financial Literacy Training of Trainers (ToT) programme delivered by the Centre for Excellence in Financial Inclusion (CEFI) in partnership with the Wau-Waria District Development Authority (WWDDA), marking another significant milestone in advancing financial inclusion and community empowerment in Papua New Guinea.

The training, held from 20–24 July 2026 at Kaindi Hall in Wau Town, brought together participants from across Wau-Waria District to build the knowledge, practical skills and confidence required to deliver financial literacy education within their own communities. Of the 30 graduates, 17 were male and 13 were female, all of whom are now recognised as Certified Financial Literacy Trainers by CEFI.

The programme was facilitated by CEFI Senior Financial Literacy Trainer, Mr Sebastian Mugup, who equipped participants with practical financial management knowledge, effective facilitation techniques and community-based training approaches to support financial education at the grassroots level.

The newly certified trainers will play a vital role in supporting the district’s financial literacy rollout by delivering community-based financial education programmes across wards and Local Level Governments (LLGs), helping more Papua New Guineans develop the skills and confidence to make informed financial decisions.

Speaking during the graduation ceremony, Mr Mugup congratulated the participants on their commitment, discipline and enthusiasm throughout the intensive five-day programme.

“Over the past five days, you have developed not only your financial literacy knowledge, but also the confidence and skills required to become effective trainers within your communities,” Mr Mugup said.

He reminded the graduates that their certification carried an important responsibility to serve others by sharing the knowledge they had acquired.

“Today is more than a graduation ceremony. You are graduating as Certified Financial Literacy Trainers, and you now have the responsibility to return to your communities and help people make better financial decisions,” he said.

Mr Mugup encouraged the graduates to work closely with ward councillors, community leaders, women’s groups, youth organisations, savings groups, cooperatives and small businesses to broaden financial literacy awareness throughout the district.

“Our people have money and resources. Your role as trainers is to help them understand how to manage their finances, develop saving habits, plan for the future and make responsible financial decisions that improve their livelihoods,” he said.

He acknowledged the leadership and commitment of the Wau-Waria District Development Authority and the Member for Wau-Waria Open Electorate, Honourable Marsh Narewec, MP, for recognising financial literacy as a key driver of community empowerment and sustainable economic development.

Mr Mugup said the partnership between CEFI and WWDDA demonstrates the value of collaboration between national institutions and district leadership in ensuring financial education reaches communities where it is needed most.

He noted that the initiative directly supports Papua New Guinea’s key national development frameworks, including the National Financial Inclusion Strategy 2023–2027, the National Financial Literacy Strategy, the National Financial Inclusion Policy, Vision 2050, and the Medium-Term Development Plan IV (2023–2027).

According to Mr Mugup, financial literacy is a fundamental pillar of financial inclusion because access to financial services alone is insufficient without the knowledge, skills and confidence to use those services effectively.

“Financial inclusion is not only about access to financial services. It is about ensuring people have the ability to manage their money, save for the future, make informed financial decisions, build assets and improve their livelihoods,” he said.

He added that financial literacy also strengthens entrepreneurship and small business development by equipping individuals with practical skills in budgeting, record-keeping, cash flow management, saving and responsible financial planning.

The National Financial Inclusion Strategy 2023–2027 identifies financial capability and financial education as essential enablers for increasing participation in the formal financial system and ensuring Papua New Guineans are able to make effective use of available financial products and services.

Wau-Waria District Development Authority Chief Executive Officer, Mr John Orebut, welcomed the initiative and encouraged community leaders, LLG managers and residents to support the district’s vision of establishing trained financial literacy trainers across every ward.

“In Papua New Guinea, many people do not have a strong culture of saving. It is important that these skills are shared throughout our communities so our people can better manage their hard-earned income and improve their financial wellbeing,” Mr Orebut said.

The graduation marks an important milestone for Wau-Waria District as it establishes a growing network of local financial literacy trainers committed to strengthening financial capability, promoting responsible money management and improving household financial resilience throughout the district.

Through the CEFI–WWDDA partnership, the 30 certified trainers will serve as financial literacy champions, helping individuals, families and communities adopt better saving habits, make informed financial decisions, strengthen household financial management and build more resilient and prosperous communities.

CEFI remains committed to working with government agencies, financial service providers, development partners and community organisations to expand financial inclusion and strengthen financial capability across Papua New Guinea.

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Caption for Images.

Caption 1 – Images of  participants take part in the five-day Financial Literacy Training of Trainers (ToT) programme delivered by the Centre for Excellence in Financial Inclusion (CEFI) in partnership with the Wau-Waria District Development Authority (WWDDA). The programme equipped participants with the knowledge, practical skills and confidence to deliver financial literacy education within their communities across Wau-Waria District. male and 13 were female, all of whom are now recognised as Certified Financial Literacy Trainers by CEFI.

Caption 2 – Images from the Training of Trainers (ToT) graduation ceremony, where 30 participants successfully completed the programme and were recognised as Certified Financial Literacy Trainers by CEFI. The graduating cohort comprised 17 men and 13 women, who will now serve as financial literacy champions, promoting responsible financial management and financial inclusion throughout Wau-Waria District.

Caption 3 – Training of Trainers (ToT) participants put their newly acquired financial literacy skills into practice by opening new bank accounts with Women’s Micro Bank. The initiative reinforces the importance of applying sound financial knowledge through saving, responsible money management and participation in the formal financial system.

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 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: 79736883

Email: lomaro@thecefi.org

Newly accredited financial literacy trainers  have been urged to become champions of responsible money management and financial awareness across Papua New Guinea.

The call was made during the Training of Trainers Financial Literacy  Expression of Interest Mini Graduation held at the Centre for Excellence in Financial Inclusion (CEFI) office on Friday, 6 March.  The  seventeen (17) participants were recognised for completing the programme designed to strengthen financial education across communities.

Speaking at the event, the Assistant Governor of the Financial System Development and Innovation Group at the Bank of Papua New Guinea, Mr. George Awap, said he was impressed by the participants’ commitment to improving their financial knowledge and discipline.

Mr Awap said he was encouraged that the participants had chosen to attend the programme, describing financial management as a skill that required both knowledge and discipline. He emphasised the importance of prudent money management and warned that cash could easily be lost without careful planning.

“Money is like a liquid that you try to catch in your pocket… it can disappear within minutes,” he said.

Mr Awap noted that Papua New Guinea continued to face challenges with a large number of people who remained unbanked. However, he stressed that financial education and empowerment could help transform lives, particularly in rural communities.

He urged participants to become role models and to use the knowledge they had gained to guide others towards responsible financial behaviour.

“Managing both income streams and expenditure patterns will get you on the right path. I congratulate you all for attending these courses,” he said.

Also addressing the gathering was the Assistant Governor of the Financial System Regulations and Supervision Group at the Bank of Papua New Guinea, Mrs. Sabina Deklin, who encouraged participants to use their knowledge to promote safe financial practices.

Mrs Deklin said financial literacy was a powerful tool that could help people make better decisions about how they earn, save and spend their money.

“Knowledge is power. Use that to influence how people actually plan and spend their money,” she said.

She also warned participants about fraudulent investment schemes that promised unrealistic returns, cautioning the public to remain vigilant.

“If someone tells you that you will be earning 300 or 400 per cent interest, that is a red flag,” Mrs Deklin said.

She advised people to conduct financial transactions only with regulated institutions such as banks, microfinance institutions, savings and loans societies, or licensed payment service providers to ensure their money was protected.

The Acting Executive Director of the Centre for Excellence in Financial Inclusion, Mr. Peter Samuel, said the training programme represented another step in strengthening financial inclusion efforts in the country.

Mr Samuel acknowledged the support of stakeholders, including representatives from the Bank of Papua New Guinea and participants who successfully completed the course.

He explained that CEFI was established in 2010 to address limited access to financial services for the majority of Papua New Guinea’s population.

“CEFI was created particularly to address the fact that nearly 80 per cent of our population did not have access to formal banking services or financial literacy training,” he said.

Mr Samuel noted that significant progress had been made over the years, with the number of bank accounts increasing from about 800,000 to approximately 4.6 million nationwide. He said this growth reflected the success of financial inclusion initiatives implemented by CEFI and its partners.

However, he emphasised that the newly trained participants now carried an important responsibility to extend financial knowledge to others.

“You are now accredited trainers. The challenge is for you to go back and ensure that the knowledge you have gained influences your workplace, communities and families,” he said.

Mr Samuel added that building a strong savings culture remained one of the country’s major challenges. He encouraged the trainers to help drive behavioural change through financial education and responsible financial practices.

He further noted that the new trainers would be included in CEFI’s database and could be called upon to assist with financial literacy training programmes across Papua New Guinea.

Meanwhile,  invited guest , the Managing Director of the Investment Promotion Authority, Clarence Hoot, urged participants to apply their newly acquired knowledge in practical ways.

Mr Hoot encouraged them to share what they had learned with their families and communities and emphasised the importance of integrity when managing financial resources.

“Take what you understand clearly and extend it to your families and communities,” he said, adding that honesty, accountability and transparency were essential for good governance in Papua New Guinea.

In his closing remarks, the Chairman of the National Housing Commission, James Wong, who also attended the weeklong training and was presented with his certificate, described the programme as valuable and informative.

Mr Wong said the training had helped participants understand financial terminology and practical financial management techniques.

“You may get money… but you may not survive if you do not budget or invest it properly,” he said.

He also called on government departments and institutions to invest in financial education for their staff, stressing that building financial capability within organisations could have long-term benefits.

“Every single member of National Housing Corporation… will be trained as training of trainers in financial literacy,” he said.

Mr Wong encouraged leaders to lead by example and to begin financial education initiatives within their own organisations.

“Believe in yourself and trust in God. Start small, grow it,” he said.

Representing the participants, Kenneth Bale, who spoke on behalf of the male trainees, reflected on how the training had helped him better understand financial management.

“I wish I knew then what I know now,” Mr Bale said, noting that lessons learned from overcoming personal debt had given him a new perspective on financial discipline.

He said the knowledge gained from the programme would help support families and communities, particularly in East New Guinea, and could potentially benefit thousands of people.

Mr Bale also acknowledged the support of programme organisers and stakeholders, stating that their efforts could positively impact “1,000 families, about 3,000 people”.

Speaking on behalf of the female participants, Anastasia Kukuna expressed appreciation to CEFI for providing training on saving and budgeting.

“This training has given us not only knowledge, but also the skills and confidence to educate others about the importance of saving,” she said.

Ms Kukuna added that the newly trained participants were committed to sharing financial literacy knowledge within their communities and helping to build a stronger culture of saving across Papua New Guinea.

Photos Caption: Images from the mini graduation.

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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

Participants of the Labour Mobility Unit (LMU) Work Ready Programme in Port Moresby have successfully completed a Financial Literacy Retail Training Programme aimed at strengthening their money management skills before taking up employment opportunities overseas.

The training, conducted from 23–25 February 2026 under the NCD Hub, focused on equipping participants with practical financial knowledge such as saving, budgeting and responsible financial decision-making. Organisers stated that the training was designed to ensure workers are financially prepared to manage their earnings effectively while working abroad.

According to the programme schedule, the participants were introduced to key financial literacy modules including savings, budgeting and financial planning. The sessions were intended to help participants develop sound financial habits and build long-term financial stability.

Acting Executive Director of the Centre for Excellence in Financial Inclusion (CEFI), Mr Peter Samuel, attended the mini graduation ceremony held on Wednesday, 25 February.

He congratulated the participants on successfully completing the training and encouraged them to apply the knowledge they had gained when they begin working overseas.

Mr Samuel urged the trainees to act as responsible representatives of Papua New Guinea under the Labour Mobility arrangements.

“You must put into practice what you have learned during this training and be good role models for Papua New Guinea when you work overseas,” Mr Samuel said.

He also acknowledged the strong collaboration between CEFI, the Labour Mobility Unit and the National Capital District Commission (NCDC) in delivering the training programme.

Mr Samuel thanked both organisations for their continued partnership in ensuring Papua New Guineans are equipped with essential financial literacy skills before departing for overseas employment.

Labour Mobility Unit Training and Skills Development Manager, Ms Lynna Joel, highlighted the importance of ongoing training initiatives that help workers strengthen their professional profiles for prospective employers.

Ms Joel explained that the LMU continues to introduce new programmes aimed at upskilling workers and improving their competitiveness in the international labour market.

She revealed that the unit is currently delivering safety training and has recently completed a pilot programme on worker and family preparedness, which is now under review.

“The aim is to make our workers more marketable and productive so that when employers come to recruit, they can confidently select Papua New Guinean workers,” Ms Joel said.

She added that the preparedness programme is expected to be rolled out in April in the National Capital District and other locations.

Ms Joel further explained that LMU is working to ensure workers obtain relevant licences and practical competencies that will increase their employability overseas. She noted that several participants had already undertaken Mid-Works training through the Pacific Australia Skills programme, while the LMU continues to collaborate with training institutions to deliver employability skills development.

According to Ms Joel, all completed training programmes are recorded in the LMU’s in-country recruitment database, allowing qualified candidates to be presented to potential employers seeking workers from Papua New Guinea.

She also thanked participants for taking part in the pilot training and encouraged them to share feedback that will help improve future programmes.

Meanwhile, participant Dorothy Veapi said the training had encouraged many attendees to reflect on how they manage their finances.

Ms Veapi explained that discussions on budgeting, saving and maintaining financial records helped participants realise the importance of monitoring their income and expenditure.

“As we discussed budgeting and managing our savings, we recognised that keeping track of our income and expenses is essential,” Ms Veapi said.

She noted that many participants came to understand that small but consistent financial habits can lead to long-term financial stability and independence.

Ms Veapi added that the workshop also reminded participants that financial literacy is not only a practical skill but also a personal responsibility.

“Once again, thank you to CEFI, the Labour Mobility Unit, and the World Bank for equipping us with the knowledge and skills that will guide us not only now, but into our future endeavours,” she said.

During the training, participants were introduced to core financial literacy concepts and the importance of saving regularly. The budgeting module helped participants set financial goals, examine their money management habits and understand how to create practical budgets.

Participants also learned the importance of monitoring cash flow and maintaining accurate financial records, particularly for workers who will earn regular incomes while working abroad.

Throughout the programme, participants engaged in recap sessions and discussions to reinforce key lessons. The training concluded with a summary session, programme evaluation and a graduation ceremony recognising those who successfully completed the course.

Organisers stated that the Financial Literacy Retail Training Programme forms an important component of the LMU Work Ready Programme, ensuring participants are financially prepared before entering overseas employment.

They explained that the initiative aims to empower workers with the knowledge and confidence to manage their earnings responsibly, support their families and contribute positively to their communities when they return to Papua New Guinea.

Photos caption: Images show the mini graduation  of participants of the Labour Mobility Unit (LMU) Work Ready Programme in Port Moresby.

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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