About The Event

South Asia’s Financial Inclusion Training (S-FIT) will be a 5-day residential training that aims to bring together a diverse group of professionals from across the world representing microfinance banks, non-bank microfinance companies, donors, regulators, investors and larger FinTech industry under one roof to participate in a series of interactive and informative sessions.

WHERE
Metropolitan Hotel, Dubai

WHEN
Sunday to Thursday
May 22 to 26, 2022


Training Key Features:

One of the largest platforms providing a great opportunity for peer-learning experience and build a strong network of professional contacts, and to learn from the best trainers and renowned speakers in the industry.

Key Features:
1. Training workshop sessions to further enhance management skills of the participants in the areas of product development, risk management, governance, digital transformation, strategic leadership, customer satisfaction and financial analysis.
2. Power Talks with renowned industry leaders where participants will take part in discussion with them on emerging trends in the financial inclusion, climate change and microfinance space, learn about key institutional lessons learned and a variety of transformational leadership approaches.
3. Recreational Activities for team members to relax, explore Dubai and network with other participants from the region.

 

South Asia Micro-Entrepreneurs Network

SAMN

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.


Training Schedule

South Asia Microfinance Training
Bootcamp
  • 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

Pricing

Training Fee – USD 2,000*
• Registration & Course Fee
• 5-nights’ Accommodation at a 4-star hotel
• Training Material
• All meals covered
• Recreational Activities
* Airfare and Visa charges are not included

Accommodation Option:
Single/Twin sharing (subject to availability)

Registration Closed


Our Speakers

Syed Mohsin Ahmed

Syed Mohsin Ahmed

Honorary CEO – South Asia Micro-Entrepreneurs Network (SAMN)
Ms. Momina Aijazuddin

Ms. Momina Aijazuddin

Senior Industry Manager, Financial Institutions Group, MCT - IFC
Mr. Arinjoy Dhar

Mr. Arinjoy Dhar

Senior Director, BRAC Microfinance
Md. Fashiullah

Md. Fashiullah

Executive Vice Chairman – Microcredit Regulatory Authority (MRA)
Md. Abdul Awal

Md. Abdul Awal

Chairman - South Asia Micro-Entrepreneurs Network (SAMN)

Muhammad Zubair Mughal

Muhammad Zubair Mughal

Managing Director - AlHuda CIBE FZ LLE – UAE (Islamic Banking Expert)
Rob Oddi

Rob Oddi

The Change Expert
Dr. Antonis Malagardis

Dr. Antonis Malagardis

Advisor - GIZ / SAR
Mr. Yasir Ashfaq

Mr. Yasir Ashfaq

CEO - Pakistan Microfinance Investment Company (PMIC)
Dr. Vinay Kumar Singh

Dr. Vinay Kumar Singh

Head (Self-Regulation & Compliance) MFIN

Ms. Sheetal Jain

Ms. Sheetal Jain

Vice President, SRO MFIN
Mr. Ajay Kanwal

Mr. Ajay Kanwal

Managing Director & CEO - Jana Small Finance Bank Ltd
Mr. Stephen Rasmussen

Mr. Stephen Rasmussen

Senior Advisor to the CEO, CGAP
Ms. Deborah Drake

Ms. Deborah Drake

VP, Investing in Inclusive Finance, Center for Financial Inclusion, Accion
Dr. Alok Misra

Dr. Alok Misra

CEO and Director - MFIN

Mr. Blaine Stephens

Mr. Blaine Stephens

Advisor, Inclusive Finance
Mr. Udaya Kumar Hebbar

Mr. Udaya Kumar Hebbar

MD & CEO of CreditAccess Grameen Limited (CA Grameen)
Ms. Petronella Chigara-Dhitima

Ms. Petronella Chigara-Dhitima

Managing Director, Mustard Seed Advisory Pvt Ltd.
Mr. Mohammad Akbar Sarwari

Mr. Mohammad Akbar Sarwari

Executive Director, Afghanistan Microfinance Association (AMA)
Dr. M.A. Baqui Khalily

Dr. M.A. Baqui Khalily

Professor Department of Business Administration - University of Asia Pacific

Mr. Priyantha Dematagoda

Mr. Priyantha Dematagoda

President - Lanka Microfinance Practitioners Association
Ms. Roshaneh Zafar

Ms. Roshaneh Zafar

Mananging Director, Kashf Foundation
Dr. Rashid Bajwa

Dr. Rashid Bajwa

CEO, National Rural Support Programme (NRSP)
Mr. Ganesh Bista

Mr. Ganesh Bista

Chief Executive Officer for Centre for Microfinance (CMF) Nepal
Mr. Ghalib Nishtar

Mr. Ghalib Nishtar

President & CEO - Khushhali Microfinance Bank

Mr. Manoj Kumar Nambiar

Mr. Manoj Kumar Nambiar

Managing Director, Arohan Financial Services Limited

Location

South Asia’s Financial Inclusion Training (s-fit), Metropolitan Hotel Dubai