Solomon Islands and Samoa’s achievements in advancing financial inclusion highlighted during AFI visit 

An AFI delegation led by Chief Executive Officer, Dr Alfred Hannig, has visited the Solomon Islands and Samoa, to meet Central Bank Governors and staff, as well as other key stakeholders, to thank them for their contribution to advancing financial inclusion, and to learn about ongoing projects. 

On 3rd December, the AFI team met the Governor of the Central Bank of Samoa (CBS), Maiava Atalina Ainuu-Enari, and her executive management team (pictured below). Governor Maiava provided an update on the progress of initiatives around inclusive green finance, SME finance, digital financial services, and the recently launched FinTech Regulatory Sandbox.  

On 5^th December, Dr Hannig and his colleagues met Dr Luke Forau, Governor of the Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI), Deputy Governor Raynold Moveni, and CBSI staff. Dr Forau briefed the AFI team on the progress of projects including the new National Payment System, FinTech Regulatory Sandbox, as well as initiatives in digital financial services, inclusive green finance and parametric insurance.

“In both Samoa and the Solomon Islands, I’ve been struck by the dedication and innovation in the Central Banks’ approach to extending the access and use of safe, affordable and convenient financial services to all citizens,” said Dr Hannig. “I want to reiterate AFI’s commitment to supporting CBS and CBSI in their work to empower and financially include all groups of society, and to thank them for their major contributions to advancing financial inclusion regionally and globally, through their active involvement in the AFI network.”

CBS and CBSI play active roles in AFI’s Pacific Islands Regional Initiative that promotes smart policy development through peer learning, exchanges, strategic collaboration, and shared infrastructure development among Pacific Island nations. CBS and CBSI were also key contributors to the Natadola Roadmap to Inclusive Green Finance in the Pacific, published earlier this year.

Dr Hannig was accompanied by AFI colleagues Dr Eliki Boletawa (Director, Policy Programs & Implementation), Paula Ricaurte (Senior Manager) and Mereseini Tuivuniwai (Regional Manager, Pacific).