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 note from Prof Adam Habib, Director, SOAS University of London

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

    Address by Ms. Ase Bergstedt,Chairperson – Financial Inclusion Forum UK


  • Professor Christine Oughton,Professor of Management Economics, SOAS University of London

    Lecture followed by Q & A

  • Session Chair: Mr. Luis Anton,, Senior Financial Sector Specialist - The World Bank

    Panellists:

    Mr. Pranav Prashad, Technical Expert- Social Finance and Impact Insurance - International Labour Organization (ILO)

    Mr. M Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, Executive Director, COAST Foundation – Bangladesh

    Mr. Udaya Kumar Hebbar, Managing Director & CEO – CreditAccess Grameen Ltd.

    Ms. Roshaneh Zafar, Managing Director – Kashf Foundation - Pakistan


  • Session Chair: Ms. Swati Sawhney, Senior Financial Sector Specialist - CGAP

    Panellists:, Chairperson – Microfinance Institutions Network (MFIN)

    Mr. Arinjoy Dhar, Senior Director, BRAC Microfinance - BRAC Bangladesh

    Mr. Vivek Tiwari, Managing Director & CEO – Satya MicroCapital Ltd. - India

    Mr. Sadaf Sayeed, CEO – Muthoot Microfin Limited - India

    Dr. Rashid Bajwa, CEO – National Rural Support Programme (NRSP)

    Mr. Vinura Jayanaka, Strategist - Future Life Investments Ltd – Sri Lanka


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

    Session Chair:Dr. Mohammed Kroessin, Non-Executive Director, Financial Inclusion Forum

    Panellists:

    Mr. Advin Banurjee, Executive Director - Pidim Foundation - Bangladesh
    Mr. Dibyajyoti Pattnaik, Director - Annapurna Finance Pvt. Ltd.
    Mr. Venkatesh N, Managing Director, IIFL Samasta Finance Ltd.


    Focus Session 2: Responsible Finance, Interest Rates & Consumer Protection in the Context of Digitisation, Evolving Risks

    Session Chair: Ms. Jayshree Venkatesan, Senior Director, Consumer Protection & Responsible Finance - Center for Financial (CFI)

    Panellists:

    Mr. Shankar Arora, Social Finance Risk Head - CITI
    Md. Emranul Huq Chowdhury, Founder & Principal Adviser, ANTAR Society for Development - Bangladesh
    Mr. H P Singh, Chairman & Managing Director, Satin Creditcare Network Ltd.
    Syed Kabeer Naqvi, CEO & President – Ubank - Pakistan


  • Session Chair: Mr. Yasir Ashfaq, CEO – Pakistan Microfinance Investment Company (PMIC) - Pakistan

    Panellists:

    Dr. Nomita Halder ndc, Managing Director - Palli Karma Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) – Bangladesh

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

    Mr. Vivek Tiwari,Managing Director & CEO – Satya MicroCapital Ltd. - India

    Dr. Amjad Saqib, Executive Director – Akhuwat - Pakistan

  • Day 2

    July 14, 2023

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

    Panellists:

    Mr. Tom Sanderson, Head of Profession, Private Sector Advisory Cadre - Foreign, Commowealth & Development Office (FCDO)

    Mr. Sadaf Sayeed, CEO – CEO – Muthoot Microfin Ltd.

    Mr. Udaya Kumar Hebbar,Managing Director & CEO – CreditAccess Grameen Ltd.

    Syed Kabeer Naqvi, CEO & President – Ubank – Pakistan

  • Session Chair: Mr. David Constantijn Kruijff, Inclusive Finance Consultant – CGAP

    Panellists:

    Md Nore Alom Mahadi, Director - Microcredit Regulatory Authority

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

    Mr. Venkatesh N, Managing Director, IIFL Samasta Finance Ltd.

    Mr. Muhammad Imran Khan , Additional Director, Agriculture Credit and Financial Inclusion Department (ACFID) - State Bank of Pakistan


  • Focus Session 1 - Financial Inclusion to financial Health

    Session Chair: Mr. Paul Blyth, Director – Financial Inclusion Forum

    Panellists:

    Ms. Jayshree Venkatesan,Senior Director, Consumer Protection & Responsible Finance - Center for Financial Inclusion (CFI)

    Mr. Mifta Naim Huda, Executive Director, Centre for Development Innovation and Practices (CDIP) – Bangladesh

    Session Chair: Mr. Paul Blyth, Director – Financial Inclusion Forum (FIF) UK

    Mr. Vivek Tiwari, Managing Director & CEO – Satya MicroCapital Limited - India

    Mr Harish Raghu,, Managing Director & CEO, SaGgraha Management Services Pvt.



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

    Session Chair: Mr. Michael Rothe, Director - Financial Inclusion Forum

    Panellists:

    Mr. David Constantijn Kruijff, Inclusive Finance Consultant – CGAP

    Mr. Arinjoy Dhar, Senior Director BRAC Microfinance - BRAC Bangladesh

    Mr. Nanaiah Kalengada, Managing Director – Equifax Credit Information Services Pvt. Ltd.

    Dr. Rashid Bajwa, CEO – National Rural Support Programme (NRSP)



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

    Session Chair: Ms. Roshaneh Zafar, Managing Director – Kashf Foundation – Pakistan

    Panellists:

    Md. Shah Alam, Joint Secretary, Financial Institutions Department (FID) - Ministry of Finance, Bangladesh Govt

    Mr Shirish Panda, Business Head, Microfinance, Tata Capital Financial Services Ltd.

    Mr. Vineet Chattree, Director - Svatantra Microfin Pvt. Ltd.



  • Session Chair: Mr. Vineet Chattree , Director, Svatantra Microfin Pvt. Ltd. - India

    Panellists:

    Ms. Urja Jain, Sustainable Finance Associate, Ethos

    Mr Shalabh Saxena, Managing Director & CEO, Spandana Sphoorty Financial Ltd.

    Mr. Dibyajyoti Pattnaik, Director - Annapurna Finance – India

    Dr. Amjad Saqib, Executive Director – Akhuwat - Pakistan


  • Session Chair: Mr. Bob Annibale, Senior Fellow, SOAS University of London

    Panellists:

    Md. Abdul Awal, Executive Director – Credit and Development Forum (CDF)

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

    Mr. Yasir Ashfaq, CEO – Pakistan Microfinance Investment Company (PMIC)

    Representative from Sri Lanka

  • Valedictory Address and Vote of Thanks - Syed Mohsin Ahmed, Honorary CEO – SAMN

    Closing remarks - Prof Christine Oughton, Professor of Management Economics, SOAS University of London & Ms. Ase Bergstedt, Chairperson – Financial Inclusion Forum

    Distribution of Souvenirs to Sponsors & Partners

Speakers


Mr. Nanaiah Kalengada

Mr. Nanaiah Kalengada

Managing Director, Equifax Credit Information Services Private Limited
Mr. Vivek Tiwari

Mr. Vivek Tiwari

MD, CEO & CIO - SATYA
Pranav Prashad

Pranav Prashad

Technical Lead - ILO
Mr. Mifta Naim Huda

Mr. Mifta Naim Huda

Executive Director - CDIP
Mr. Shalabh Saxena

Mr. Shalabh Saxena

Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Spandana Sphoorty Financial Ltd.

Ms. Roshaneh Zafar

Ms. Roshaneh Zafar

MD - Kashf Foundation
Ms. Urja Jain

Ms. Urja Jain

Sustainable Finance Associate - Ethos
Md. Emranul Huq Chowdhury

Md. Emranul Huq Chowdhury

Founder & Principal Adviser - ANTAR
Mr. Shirish Chandra Panda

Mr. Shirish Chandra Panda

Microfinance Professional
Dr. Muhammad Amjad Saqib

Dr. Muhammad Amjad Saqib

Founder & Chairman - Akhuwat

Mr. Bob Annibale

Mr. Bob Annibale

Senior Fellow, SOAS University of London
Mr. Rezaul Karim Chowdhury

Mr. Rezaul Karim Chowdhury

Executive Director - COAST
Mr. Shankar Arora

Mr. Shankar Arora

Social Finance Risk Head - Citi
Dr. Rashid Bajwa

Dr. Rashid Bajwa

CEO - NRSP
Åse Bergstedt

Åse Bergstedt

Chairperson – Financial Inclusion Forum

Mr. Yasir Ashfaq

Mr. Yasir Ashfaq

CEO -Pakistan Microfinance Investment Company (PMIC)
Syed kabeer Naqvi

Syed kabeer Naqvi

President & CEO - U Microfinance Bank
Mr. Dibyajyoti Pattanaik

Mr. Dibyajyoti Pattanaik

Director - Annapurna Finance
Dr. Mohammed Kroessin

Dr. Mohammed Kroessin

Non-Executive Director - Financial Inclusion Forum
Mr. Arinjoy Dhar

Mr. Arinjoy Dhar

Senior Director Microfinance, BRAC

Mr. Vineet Chattree

Mr. Vineet Chattree

MD - Svatantra Microfin Pvt. Ltd. and Director - Svatantra Micro Housing Finance Corporation Ltd.
Mr. Anura Atapattu

Mr. Anura Atapattu

MD -Berendina Micro Investment
Professor Christine Oughton

Professor Christine Oughton

Professor of Management Economics - SOAS University of London
Md. Fashiullah

Md. Fashiullah

Executive Vice Chairman, Microcredit Regulatory Authority (MRA)
Mr. HP Singh

Mr. HP Singh

Chairman cum Managing Director - Satin Creditcare Network Limited

Mr. Vinura Jayanaka

Mr. Vinura Jayanaka

Strategist - Future Life Investments
Prof. Adam Habib

Prof. Adam Habib

Director - SOAS University of London
Syed Mohsin Ahmed

Syed Mohsin Ahmed

CEO - SAMN & PMN
Mr. Venkatesh

Mr. Venkatesh

Founder and Managing Director - IIFL Samasta Finance Limited
Ms. Jayshree Venkatesan

Ms. Jayshree Venkatesan

Senior Director, Consumer Protection & Responsible Finance - CFI

Mr. Muhammad Imran Khan

Mr. Muhammad Imran Khan

Additional Director - State Bank of Pakistan
Dr. Alok Misra

Dr. Alok Misra

CEO and Director - MFIN
Mr. Paul Blyth

Mr. Paul Blyth

Director – Financial Inclusion Forum
Ms. Swati Sawhney

Ms. Swati Sawhney

Senior Financial Sector Specialist – CGAP
Mr. Tom Sanderson

Mr. Tom Sanderson

Head of Profession for Private Sector Development Advisers at the UK FCDO

Mr. Sadaf Sayeed

Mr. Sadaf Sayeed

CEO - Muthoot Microfin Ltd.
Mr. Luis Alton

Mr. Luis Alton

Senior Financial Sector Specialist - The World Bank
Mr. David Kruijff

Mr. David Kruijff

Senior Financial Sector Specialist – CGAP
Mr. Raghu Venkata Harish

Mr. Raghu Venkata Harish

Founder-CEO at SaGgraha
Mr. Udaya Kumar Hebbar

Mr. Udaya Kumar Hebbar

MD & CEO - CreditAccess Grameen Limited

Mr. Michael Rothe

Mr. Michael Rothe

Co Founder - Flow Global
Dr. Nomita Halder ndc

Dr. Nomita Halder ndc

Managing Director - PKSF
Md. Abdul Awal

Md. Abdul Awal

Executive Director, Credit and Development Forum (CDF)

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Knowledge Partner

Location

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