The Bank of Ghana has reaffirmed its global leadership in advancing financial inclusion following a strong showing at the 2025 Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI) Global Policy Forum (GPF), held under the theme “Empowering Society and Enabling Growth.”
The high-level event, which brought together global regulators, policymakers, and financial inclusion champions, showcased Ghana’s growing influence in shaping inclusive finance strategies across Africa and beyond.
The Bank of Ghana has been a member of AFI since March 2010 and continues to play a pivotal role in driving accessibility, usage, and quality of financial services, particularly for underserved communities.
Leading Ghana’s delegation was the 2nd Deputy Governor, Mrs. Matilda Asante-Asiedu, who also chairs the African Financial Inclusion Policy Initiative (AfPI).
Through strategic engagements at the forum, Mrs. Asante-Asiedu and her team highlighted Ghana’s achievements, exchanged experiences with international peers, and reinforced the country’s position as a thought leader in inclusive finance.
Driving Digital and Gender-Inclusive Finance
Ghana’s participation at the GPF was underpinned by ongoing national efforts to deepen financial inclusion. Among these are the strengthening of cybersecurity and operational resilience in the financial sector.
The establishment of the Financial Industry Command Security Operations Centre (FICSOC) has become a cornerstone of Ghana’s digital financial security infrastructure, ensuring consumer trust and safeguarding innovation.
The Bank is also advancing gender-inclusive finance by promoting women’s entrepreneurship and financial access.
Its collaboration with the Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA) is entering a new phase, with increased partnerships and stronger support for women-led businesses across the country.
Awards and Global Recognition
Ghana’s dedication to innovation was recognized with top honours at the forum. Affinity Savings and Loans, an indigenous FinTech, received the Fintech Innovation Award for its pioneering use of technology to extend financial services to underserved communities an achievement made possible by the Bank of Ghana’s supportive regulatory environment.
The Bank itself was also honoured as one of the top three institutions globally for its strategic leadership and impactful contributions to financial inclusion, further cementing its role as a regional leader in advancing inclusive growth.
Looking Ahead
Over the next two years, the Bank of Ghana will intensify its efforts to expand digital financial access, strengthen cybersecurity through FICSOC, and deepen gender-inclusive finance in partnership with AFAWA.
These initiatives will be anchored in the National Payment Systems Strategy (2025–2029), ensuring every Ghanaian has the tools and opportunities to thrive in a modern, inclusive financial ecosystem.
The recognition at the Global Policy Forum marks another milestone in Ghana’s journey to empower society and enable growth through innovative, resilient, and inclusive financial systems.