From 17 to 19 February in Kathmandu, AFI and Nepal Rastra Bank co-hosted a regional training event for AFI’s South Asia members on the topic of Enhancing Cyber Resilience for Digital Payments and Infrastructure.

“Given the increasing role of digital payments across the South Asia region, central banks will play a pivotal role through ensuring cybersecurity policies and frameworks are in place to promote resilient digital payments infrastructure, as well as to protect financial consumers from emerging risks,” said Dr Satyendra Timilsina, Acting Executive Director, Office of the Governor, Nepal Rastra Bank.

“Our members in South Asia have prioritized digital financial services as a financial inclusion policy area, focusing on digital payments and digital credit,” said AFI’s Head of Capacity Building, Madhurantika Moulick. “This week’s training will strengthen capacity in the region to assess cybersecurity risks in digital financial services, to strengthen the resilience of DFS systems, and to protect consumers from cyber risks.”

The training featured expert speakers from AFI, Nepal Rastra Bank, State Bank of Pakistan, Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan, Reserve Bank of India, University of Hong Kong, GSMA, and other organizations.

Speakers referenced various AFI publications, including our Special Report on Payment Innovation Risks in South Asia and Guideline Note on Cybersecurity for Financial Inclusion: Framework and Risk Guide.