About The Conference

SAMN partners with Financial Inclusion Forum – UK (FIF-UK) to bring the financial inclusion practitioners, regulators and investors from across the world together in a two-day conference in London, UK. This conference will allow structured interaction between the key stakeholders operating at the country, regional and global levels. It is envisaged that the conference will provide an opportunity to stakeholders to discuss challenges across the South Asian region, experiences on initiatives taken to address the challenges, build on lessons learnt by the different countries, and provide a common platform for donors, investors, research and development specialists for the region. This would also allow for exchange of ideas and optimal utilization of resources by channeling them to jointly develop products and technological solutions enabling practitioners to reduce cost and making financial services affordable to the poor despite the depth of poverty in the region.

WHERE
The School of Oriental and African Studies – University of London

WHEN
July 13 – 14 , 2023


The Sub-Themes of the Conference Include

1. Support from governments & donors to the civil society and private sector in increasing financial inclusion through Microfinance Organizations (MFOs) in South Asia.  Read more

2. How Covid19 has impacted the eco system of financial inclusion, both MFOs and clients. Read more

3. Elephant in the room – climate change. Read more

4. Mobilizing Private Capital. Read more

The conference is scheduled to be held at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) – University of London, UK starting from Thursday, July 13th till Friday, July 14th, 2023.

 

South Asia Micro-Entrepreneurs Network

The South Asia Micro-Entrepreneurs Network (SAMN) is a regional network aiming at enhancing capacity, financing and regional dialogue in the microfinance sector of South Asia. SAMN governance is composed of leading Apex Institutions from the countries of the region along with the Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development (ACTED). SAMN also partners with MFIs, Investors, Banks and other key microfinance stakeholders to fulfil its objectives.
SAMN was established in 2008 with a vision to improve financial inclusion among low-income population in the region. The early foundation of SAMN was laid by ACTED, a French INGO along with ACCESS Development Services and other regional and global microfinance stakeholders.


Conference Agenda

Financial Inclusion in Post Pandemic Era: Is Digitization and Managing Climate Change Pathway to Success?
  • Day 1

    July 13, 2023

  • Welcome Address by Md. Abdul Awal, Chairperson – South Asia MicroEntrepreneurs Network (SAMN)

    Address by Mr. Paul Blyth, Chairperson – Financial Inclusion Forum UK

    Address by Lead Global Sponsor

    Address by FCDO/British International Investment (BII)

  • Representative from SOAS*

    Lecture style presentation by leading expert/academic (SOAS, ODI – TBC) followed by Q & A

  • Ms. Roshaneh Zafar, Managing Director – Kashf Foundation*

    Mr. Udaya Kumar, Managing Director & CEO – CreditAccess

    (Panel discussion with reps from regulators, bi-lateral/multi-lateral donors, UN agencies, policy / think-tanks, practitioners)

  • Mr. Devesh Sachdev, Chairperson – Microfinance Institutions Network (MFIN)

    Dr. Rashid Bajwa, CEO -National Rural Support Programme*

    (Panel discussion with reps from regulators, bi-lateral/multi-lateral donors, UN agencies, policy / think-tanks, practitioners TBC)

  • Focus Session 1: Evolving Microfinance Landscapes - Future of Group Lending

    (World Bank, Care Intl’ TBC)

    Mr. Amir Khan, CEO & President - HBL Microfinance Bank*


    Focus Session 2: Rebuilding the Afghan Microfinance Sector

    (UNDP, TBC)

    Dr. Amjad Saqib, Executive Director – Akhuwat*


    Focus Session 3: Responsible Finance, Interest Rates & Consumer Protection in the Context of Digitisation, Evolving Risks

    (CFI Intl’ - TBC)

    Syed Kabeer Naqvi, CEO & President – Ubank
    Mr. Sadaf Sayeed, CEO – Muthoot Finance

  • Dr. Alok Misra, CEO & Director – Microfinance Institutions Network (MFIN)

    Mr. Yasir Ashfaq, CEO – Pakistan Microfinance Investment Company*

    (Panel discussion with reps from regulators, bi-lateral/multi-lateral donors, UN agencies, policy / think-tanks, practitioners)

  • Day 2

    July 14, 2023

  • Mr. Manoj Nambiar, Managing Director & CEO – Arohan Financial Services Limited

    Syed Kabeer Naqvi, CEO & President – Ubank*

  • Mr. Amir Khan, CEO & President – HBL Microfinance Bank*

    (Panel discussion with reps from regulators and practitioners across different markets)

  • Focus Session 1 - Financial Inclusion to financial Health What does it mean for MFIs? how are financial institutions and other stakeholders changing the perspectives, some examples

    Mr. Vivek Tiwari, Vice President – MFIN

    (Panel discussion with reps from regulators, bilateral/multilatera l donors, UN agencies, policy / think-tanks, practitioners - TBC)


    Focus Session 2 – Power of data, how can data analytics make the MFIs more impactful and customer centric - examples

    Dr. Rashid Bajwa, CEO – NRSP*

    (case study/plenary/panel - reps from MFIs/Fintech)


    Focus Session 3 - How digitisation can help to accelerate the gender inclusivity

    Ms. Roshaneh Zafar, Managing Director – Kashf Foundation*



  • Dr. Amjad Saqib, Executive Director – Akhuwat*

    (Panel discussion with reps from regulators, bi-lateral/multi-lateral donors, UN agencies, policy / think-tanks, practitioners)

  • Dr. Alok Misra, CEO & Director – MFINM

    Syed Mohsin Ahmed, CEO – SAMN*

    (Panel discussion with reps from regulators, bi-lateral/multi-lateral donors, UN agencies, policy / think-tanks, practitioners)

  • Valedictory Address – Md. Abdul Awal, Chairperson - SAMN

    Vote of Thanks - Syed Mohsin Ahmed, Honorary CEO - SAMN

Location

The School of Oriental and African Studies - University of London | July 13 - 14 , 2023