Unlocking Growth Opportunities for All
A dynamic gathering of global leaders, policymakers, financial services providers, and innovators committed to closing the gender gap in financial access.
Despite playing a vital role in driving global economic growth, nearly 1 billion women remain excluded from the formal financial sector.
It’s time for that to change.
Women’s World Banking proudly presents Unlocking Growth Opportunities for All: Financial Inclusion Forum 2025 — a high-impact convening for policymakers committed to turning global dialogue into local action.
Building on the global forums during September, this Forum offers a rare opportunity: a space where strategies are sharpened, solutions are grounded, and commitments become catalysts for change. Through intimate, closed-door roundtables, global insights are refined into real-world policy actions. The focus is clear: unlocking the power of inclusive finance to drive economic resilience, especially for women.
This year, we’ll zero in on three foundational pillars of financial inclusion:
Consumer Protection. Digital Identity. Inclusive Payments.
These are the building blocks of a financial system that works for everyone. Because when we design financial solutions with women at the center, we create stronger, more inclusive economies for all.
Day One: 9 September
10:00 AM │ Registration opens
12:00 PM │ Lunch & Networking
- A quick welcome to Johannesburg and the Forum paired with lunch and intentional networking activities.
1:00 PM │ Economic Growth Opportunities for All: Financial Inclusion Today
- A discussion between Women’s World Banking President & CEO Mary Ellen Iskenderian and a notable figure.
1:30 PM │Insights to Outcomes: 3 Key Elements of DPI
- Three experts examine the relationship between access to identification, payments, and consumer protection and their impact on financial inclusion.
2:20 PM │Option 1 – Solving for Scale: Innovation & MSME Economic Empowerment Showcase
- Two policy figures and two financial services providers from around the world present solutions in 10-minutes that utilize digital innovation, demonstrating scalable systems in real-world scenarios for MSMEs.
2:20 PM │Option 2 – Rethinking Remittances: Payments on the Move
- A cross border-finance advocate, a fintech payments architect, and a remittance regulator unpack how next-generation rails can move money faster, safer, and cheaper—whether across borders or within them. Together, they explore how lived experience, infrastructure innovation, and enabling regulation converge to turn remittances into engines of household resilience.
3:05 PM │ The Market Walk: Meet Entrepreneurs Reimagining Economic Empowerment in Africa
- Enjoy afternoon refreshments as you meet four entrepreneurs from across Africa to learn about their challenges, financial products that changed their trajectory, and experienced outcomes. This session will kick off by awarding an esteemed Women’s World Banking’s financial services provider (FSP) partner who has demonstrated great commitment and impact to financial inclusion.
4:35 PM │ Closing Keynote
4:55 PM │ Closing Ceremony – “In the Spirit of Ubuntu”
- A powerful closing ceremony led by South African leaders letting attendees enjoy a taste of local culture, this circle invites reflection and unity through shared issues, rhythmic percussion, and a collective affirmation honoring our interconnected purpose – “I am because we are.”
7:30 PM │ VIP Cocktail Reception
- An exclusive celebration of impact achieved by Women’s World Banking and partners.
Day Two: 10 September
9:00 AM │ Opening Keynote
- “Encouraging Commitments for Economic Empowerment & Growth”
9:20 AM │ Roundtable 1 – Consumer Protection in the Age of AI
- As AI transforms financial services, how do we stay ahead of emerging risks? This roundtable explores proactive approaches to prevent over-indebtedness and fraud—before harm is done.
9:20 AM │Roundtable 2 – Digital ID & Access
- From enrollment to impact, this roundtable explores what governments and FSPs must do to ensure digital ID systems are inclusive and unlock seamless, secure access to payments.
10:15 AM │Option 1 – Policymakers Women-Centered Design Workshop
- Following the launch of Women’s World Banking’s new handbook, informed by an audit of the most financially inclusive countries around the world, policymakers will collaborate in small teams to identify systemic barriers and co-design actionable, gender-intentional policy solutions.
10:15 AM │Option 2 – FSPs Women-Centered Design Workshop
- Rooted in Women’s World Banking’s proven women-centered design methodology—which has helped FSPs and policymakers reach nearly 100 million women and 40 million men and advance gender equity—this hands-on session empowers financial service providers to pinpoint product pain points and co-create actionable solutions to take back and implement with their teams.
12:00 PM │ Closing Remarks
Speaker announcements coming soon – stay tuned!
Through our policy advocacy work, Women’s World Banking channels insights and knowledge from its research and advisory services to government ministries, regulatory and supervisory bodies, and individual policymakers seeking to advance women’s financial inclusion in their countries.
Policy Briefs & Diagnostics
- How Women’s Financial Inclusion Contributes to Financial Stability and Soundness: This brief highlights how women’s financial inclusion is essential to global financial stability and economic resilience. By analyzing key indicators of financial soundness, it makes the case that advancing gender-inclusive finance is a strategic move to strengthen markets, manage risk, and support long-term growth.
- Bridging the Gender Gap through Digital Identification Systems: This policy brief explores how inclusive digital ID systems can unlock life-changing opportunities for women, from financial access to essential services. By addressing the barriers women face, it outlines actionable steps for policymakers to close the gender gap and ensure no woman is left behind in the digital economy.
- CBDCs: A Catalyst for Women’s Financial Inclusion: This brief examines whether Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) can advance women’s financial inclusion and earn their trust. Through global case studies and practical recommendations, it explores how women-centered design and inclusive digital infrastructure can help CBDCs become a meaningful tool for reaching underserved women and expanding financial access.
- Unlocking Financial Resilience through Policy for Women in a Changing Climate: This policy diagnostic highlights the urgent need for climate-responsive financial solutions that center women’s economic empowerment. By examining global case studies and gender-focused policies, it offers actionable insights to help bridge the gap between climate resilience, gender equity, and financial inclusion.
- Action and Policy Recommendations to Collect Sex-Disaggregated Targets: This policy brief explores how Indonesia can strengthen women’s financial inclusion by improving the collection and use of sex-disaggregated data in the financial sector. With targeted recommendations for regulators and providers, it makes the case for data-driven policies that address gender-specific barriers and advance inclusive economic development.
Coming soon - stay tuned!
Please note registration does not guarantee attendance. As space is limited, attendance will be confirmed upon review.
