A new publication from the Central Bank of Uzbekistan (CBU) reveals how the country’s innovative approach to building financial literacy has generated impressive results.

An Overview of the Central Bank’s Activities on Improving Financial Literacy documents progress since 2019, when CBU created a dedicated Financial Education department. The following year, CBU developed a “Framework of Core Competencies in Financial Literacy”, and conducted a first nationwide literacy survey. CBU also launched an educational website and social media channels www.finlit.uz, containing articles, games and videos on topics including saving, budgeting, digital payments, and how to stay safe from fraud.

Since then, CBU has rolled out a number of innovative measures via an ‘edutainment’ approach that integrates educational content into entertainment formats, in order to engage the public, and make knowledge acquisition simple and accessible.

These initiatives have included producing a TV sitcom, radio quizzes, a music video, as well as World of Finance, an interactive platform developed with support from Visa, which provides a foundational course on financial literacy.

These efforts have borne fruit, as evidenced by a 2025 Asian Development Bank assessment which awarded Uzbekistan a national financial literacy score of 12.7, placing Uzbekistan among the countries with the highest scores within the CIS region.

A current priority for the Central Bank is to build financial literacy among vulnerable population groups. In December 2025, CBU produced a Roadmap on Enhancing Financial Inclusion and Financial Literacy of Persons with Disabilities, in collaboration with the National Agency for Social Protection.

Uzbekistan’s experience demonstrates how innovative communication strategies, strong institutional leadership and cross-sector partnerships can accelerate progress in financial capability and contribute to building a more inclusive and resilient financial ecosystem. These efforts also offer valuable insights for policymakers seeking effective and scalable approaches to financial literacy within broader financial inclusion strategies.

You can learn more about CBU’s activities in this area in the report.