Unlocking Growth Opportunities for All

Financial inclusion forum 2025

9 - 10 SEPTEMBER | JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA

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 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

Radisson Blu Hotel, Sandton Johannesburg, Floor 12,
Rivonia Rd, Daisy St, &, Sandton, 2196, South Africa

9:00 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 │ Opening Keynote │ Room: JSE 1, 2, 3

H.E. Fatma Al Jabri, Assistant Governor, Central Bank of the UAE

1:20 PM │ Opening Keynote │ Room: JSE 1, 2, 3

Christine Wu, Interim Co-Chief Executive: Personal and Private Banking, Absa Group

1:45 PM │Insights to Outcomes: 3 Key Elements of Digital Public Infrastructure │ Room: JSE 1, 2, 3

Three experts examine the relationship between access to identification, payments, and consumer protection and their impact on financial inclusion.

Natalie Baatijies, Senior Program Officer, Gates Foundation
Naoko Koyama-Blanc, Partner, Dalberg Advisors
Thierno Diarra, Principal ICT Solutions Architect, AfDB
Luis Gustavo Mansur Siqueira, Head of Department of Financial Citizenship, Bank of Brazil

2:35 PM │Roundtable: From ID to Payments to Consumer Protection—Bridging Customer Lifetime Value and Women’s Economic Empowerment │ Room: JSE 1, 2, 3

This high-level roundtable will explore what it takes to build a truly inclusive and sustainable financial system for women—from their first point of access to long-term retention and trust. Anchored in three pillars—universal identification, inclusive payments, and consumer protection—the session will map the women’s customer journey across emerging markets.

Francesca Brown, Global Director of Policy & Advocacy, Women’s World Banking
Gerhard Coetzee, Independent Consultant, formerly CGAP
Ashley Olson Onyango, Head of Financial Inclusion and Agritech, GSMA
Sabine Mensah, Deputy CEO, AfricaNenda
Nolwazi Hlophe, Senior Specialist, Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) of South Africa
Aria Widyanto, President Director, Amartha
Nishdeep Sethi, Group Director Structured Finance and Products, African Guarantee Fund
Candace Kelly, Chief Legal Officer of the Stellar Development Foundation
Nono Malefane, Senior Director, Government Engagement, Visa

4:05 PM │Coffee/Tea Break

4:25 PM │Option 1 – Solving for Scale: Innovation & Women MSME Economic Empowerment Showcase │ Room: JSE 1, 2, 3

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.

Yayeri Kisaame, National Program Officer, SECO
Heidi Patmore, CMO, Paycode
Elizabeth Wasunna-Ochwa, Director of Business Banking, Absa Group
Dr. Amal Idrissi, Executive Director, SME Observatory

4:25 PM │Option 2 – Rethinking Remittances: Payments on the Move│Room: Riviona (Floor 7)

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.

Anastacia Ngunjiri, Associate, iGravity
Pedro De Vasconcelos, Lead Technical Specialist and Financing Facility for Remittances Manager, IFAD
Rekha Chifuwe Mhango, Deputy Governor, Bank of Zambia
Azleena Binti Idris, Head of Strategy & ESG, Paynet Malaysia

5:25 PM │ Closing Remarks │ Room: JSE 1, 2, 3

Lineshree Moodley, Country Head, Visa, South Africa; Member of the B20 Task Force on Industrial Transformation & Innovation

5:35 PM │ Closing Ceremony – “In the Spirit of Ubuntu” │ Room: JSE 1, 2, 3

Local dancers and percussionists deliver a performance that celebrates the South African philosophy of interconnectedness, “Ubuntu” or “I am because we are.”

6:00 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 Remarks │ Room: JSE 1, 2, 3

Elizabeth Gathai, Regional Head, Africa, Women’s World Banking
Stephen Ambore, Director of Policy, Africa, Women’s World Banking

9:05 AM │ Opening Keynote │ Room: JSE 1, 2, 3

“Encouraging Commitments for Economic Empowerment & Growth”

Qamar Saleem, CEO, SME Finance Forum

9:15 AM │ FSP & Policymaker Workshop: Overcoming Barriers to Create Economic Growth for All │ Room: JSE 1, 2, 3

This hands-on session will dive into the challenges financial service providers (FSPs) and policymakers face in advancing inclusive finance. Through real-world use cases from markets that have successfully navigated these barriers, participants will workshop strategies to overcome obstacles and move forward with actionable insights.

Francesca Brown, Global Director of Policy & Advocacy, Women’s World Banking
Sonja Kelly, Global Head, Women’s World Banking Institute
Stephen Ambore, Director of Policy, Africa, Women’s World Banking
Tumubweine Twinemanzi, Executive Director, Payment Systems Directorate, Bank of Uganda
Ngozi Ndefo, Associate, Advisory Services, Africa, Women’s World Banking
Closing remarks: Dr. Monique Nsanzabaganwa, Diplomat; Former Deputy Chair of African Union Commission

11:25 AM │ Closing Remarks │ Room: JSE 1, 2, 3

Ineke Bussemaker, Former CEO, NMB Plc (National Microfinance Bank); Board Member, Women’s World Banking

Forum Speakers

More to be announced - 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.

Radisson Blu Hotel, Sandton Johannesburg, Floor 12,
Rivonia Rd, Daisy St, &, Sandton, 2196, South Africa

The Radisson Blu Hotel is in the heart of the city’s upscale business district and within walking distance of Gautrain Station, which connects to Johannesburg and the OR Tambo International Airport. Take advantage of the prime location minutes from attractions such as Nelson Mandela Square, Sandton City shopping center, and many restaurants.