CBN, Partners Host 2nd IFIC In October

The second edition of the International Financial Inclusion Conference (#IFIC2023) Nigeria’s flagship financial inclusion event is scheduled to be held on October 5 and 6, 2023 at the Landmark Event Center, Lagos, themed: “Financial Inclusion for All: Global Insights for Local Impact.”

Hosted by the Central Bank of Nigeria and partner agencies within the national financial inclusion governance committees, IFIC 2023 is an engagement platform for global thought leaders, regulators, and other stakeholders to discuss and collaborate on contemporary strategies for accelerating financial inclusion in the African continent and globally.

Keynote speakers include governor of the National Bank of Cambodia, Dr. Chea Serey; executive director, Alliance for Financial Inclusion, Dr. Alfred Hannig; and former governor of the State Bank of Pakistan, Dr. Reza Baqir.

Key topics to be explored include fintech-driven last mile solutions, leveraging big data and artificial intelligence, inclusive product innovation (non-interest finance), leveraging payment systems to scale financial inclusion in excluded segments – women, rural, youth and MSMEs, consumer protection, fraud and data privacy, etc.

Other highlights include innovation labs, financial inclusion awards and other side events, with opportunities to showcase Nigeria as an investment destination to support economic development within Nigeria and the sub-region, a statement that was issued by the director of communications in CBN, Isa AbdulMumin.

The maiden edition of the IFIC, which was held at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja in 2022, was attended by senior government officials from within and outside Nigeria. Former President Muhammadu Buhari, Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, selected ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and other influential persons in the global financial inclusion ecosystem were in attendance.

Over 5,000 participants were drawn from 78 countries, and feedback on the event was overwhelmingly positive, with the 2023 edition much anticipated.

Overall, IFIC 2023 promises to be an insightful and engaging platform for networking with a vibrant and globally diverse Whova community and an eclectic mix of offerings to enrich participants’ in-person and/or virtual experiences, AbdulMumin said.