GAFI – Global Alliance for Financial Inclusion

Global Financial Inclusion Training (G-FIT) Program

Dates: 18th - 22nd May, 2025 (Sun - Thurs) , Venue: Badamdar Hotel, Baku, Azerbaijan

Join The Event

5 Reasons to Attend G-FIT 2025

1. Expert-Led Training

Gain insights from globally recognized industry experts and thought leaders in financial inclusion. Learn about cutting-edge strategies, innovations, and best practices shaping the future of inclusive finance worldwide.

2. Global Networking & Collaboration

Connect with financial inclusion practitioners, policymakers, and leaders from diverse regions. Build strategic partnerships, exchange ideas, and collaborate on solutions that drive sustainable impact.

3. Practical Skill Development

Enhance your expertise in key areas such as inclusive finance, digital banking, microfinance, climate finance, fintech solutions, and risk management. Participate in interactive sessions designed to equip you with actionable tools and techniques.

4. Immersive Learning Experience

Experience a dynamic mix of classroom training, real-world case studies, field visits to microfinance institutions, and hands-on learning activities—all designed to deepen your understanding of financial inclusion challenges and opportunities.

5. Impact-Driven Mindset

Be inspired to drive meaningful change in global financial inclusion. Explore how innovative approaches and cross-border collaborations can empower underserved communities and foster economic resilience.

About The Training

GLOBAL - FINANCIAL INCLUSION TRAINING (G-FIT)

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.

Global - Financial Inclusion Training (G-FIT) will be a 4-day residential training that aims to bring together professionals from diverse sectors, including microfinance banks, non-bank financial institutions, donors, regulators, investors, and FinTech leaders under one roof to participate in a series of interactive and informative sessions.

1. Comprehensive Training Sessions: Focused on enhancing participants' management skills in areas such as product development, risk management, climate finance, digital transformation, leadership, and financial analysis.

2. Power Talks with Industry Leaders: Engaging discussions on emerging trends in financial inclusion, climate change, and microfinance, featuring key lessons learned and transformative leadership practices.

3. Recreational Activities: Opportunities to explore Dubai, network, and build connections with participants from across the globe.

About Us About Us

5 Years

Successful Worldwide Conference

Training Schedule

The training is scheduled to be held in
Baku starting from Monday, May 19th to Thursday,
May 22nd, 2025 in Badamdar Hotel, Baku, Azerbaijan.

On the 18th of May 2025, we are excited to host an inaugural session, which will be followed by a delightful dinner. This gathering presents a unique opportunity to connect with individuals from diverse backgrounds, fostering new friendships and cross-border acquaintances.

Day 0 – 18th May 2025 (Sunday)

05:00 pm onwards
Registration & Welcoming the Guests

07:00 pm – 07:15 pm
Opening Remarks by Dr. Alok Misra, Chairperson – Global Alliance for Financial Inclusion (GAFI)

07:15 pm – 07:30 pm
Introduction to the Training by Syed Mohsin Ahmed, Honorary CEO – GAFI

07:30 pm – 08:00 pm
Motivational Session on ‘Global Perspectives, Unified Goals: A Story of BRAC & BRAC International’
by Mr. Malik Asif Russd , Head of Operations, New Markets, Microfinance – BRAC International
Holdings B.V

08:00 pm – 09:00 pm
Panel Discussion: United for Growth: The Role of Cross-Border Alliances in Advancing
Microfinance Goals
Moderator: Mr. Amjad Arbab, Senior Advisor Inclusive Finance
Panelists:
• Mr. Venkatesh N, Founder and Managing Director – IIFL Samasta Finance Limited
• Mr Imran Ahmed, Deputy Executive Director – Shakti Foundation for Disadvantaged Women
• Dr. Rashid Bajwa , CEO – National Rural Support Programme (NRSP)
• Md. Abdul Awal , Executive Director – Credit & Development Forum (CDF)

09:00 pm onwards

Welcome/Inaugural Dinner

Day 1 – 19th May 2025 (Monday)

09:00 am – 09:15 am
An overview of Azerbaijan Microfinance Industry by Ms. Jhale Hajiyeva, Executive Director at Azerbaijan Micro-finance Association

09:15 am – 10:15 am
Power Talk 1 – Building a Holistic Digital Finance Ecosystem: Unlocking Opportunities for MFIs
Speaker: Mr. Rishi Raithata , Digital Finance and Inclusive Insurance Expert and Co-Chair at Financial Inclusion Forum (FIF-UK)

10:15 am – 10:30 am
Coffee Break

10:30 am – 03:30 pm (incl.lunch break)

Track 1 – Senior Management
Workshop Session I – “Data-Driven Decision-Making for Inclusive Financial Institutions
Trainer: Mr. Blaine Stephens, Independent Advisor Inclusive Finance & Fintech

Track 2 – Mid-level Management
Workshop Session I – Sustainable Finance: Making Financial Institutions USSEPM & ESG Compliant
Trainer: Ms. Rula Mheissen, Client Protection Specialist and Head of Outreach to the
Middle East and North Africa at SPTF

Track 3 – Introductory
Workshop Session I – Convergence of Microfinance & Islamic Finance
Trainer: Qazi Abdus Samad , Bank of Khyber
Mr. Zubair Mughal, CEO – Al-Huda CIBE

03:30 pm – 03:45 pm
Coffee Break

03:45 pm – 04:45 pm
Panel Discussion: Risk Management 2.0: Innovations for a More Resilient Microfinance Sector
Moderator: Mr. Daniel Rozas , European Microfinance Platform
Panelists:
• Mr. Timothy Tarrant, CEO – FINCA Azerbaijan
• Mr. M A Baqui Khalily, Professor – Department of Business Administration, University of Asia
Pacific, Dhaka, Bangladesh
• Mr. Haaris M. Chaudhary , CEO & President – Mobilink Microfinance Bank Ltd.
• Mr. Firoz Anam , Chief Risk Officer – CreditAccess Grameen Ltd.
• Mr. Nadir Gul , CEO – Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund

Day 2 – 20th May 2025 (Tuesday)

09:00 am – 10:00 am
Power Talk 2 – Climate Change and Microfinance: Building Resilience in Vulnerable Communities
Speaker: Mr. Michael J. McCord, Managing Director – MicroInsurance Centre at MILLIMAN

10:00 am – 10:30 am
Coffee Break

10:30 am – 03:30 pm (incl.lunch break)

Track 1 – Senior Management
Workshop Session II – Charting a Path of Resilience and Success in Times of Uncertainty
Trainers: Mr. Daniel Rozas, Senior Microfinance Expert – e-MFP
Ms. Donna Nails – Development Finance & Risk Management Specialist

Track 2 – Mid-level Management
Workshop Session II – Inclusive Product Design through Human-Centered Approaches
Trainers: Mr. Abhishek Anand, Partner & Associate Director Inclusive Banking & Enterprise
Development – MicroSave Consulting
Mr. Shobhit Mishra , Senior Manager – MicroSave Consulting

Introductory Track
Special Session I: Time with a Leader Dr. Rashid Bajwa, CEO – NRSP to have
live chat and discussion on his company’s growth, challenges and personal perspective

Day 3 – 21st May 2025 (Wednesday)

09:00 am – 09:30 am
Keynote Address: Mr. Fazlul Kader, Managing Director – PKSF

09:30 am – 10:30 am
Power Talk 3 – The Evolving Landscape of Financial Inclusion: Unlocking Synergies in Microfinance
to Achieve Triple Bottom Line Goals
Speaker: Mr. Yasir Ashfaq, CEO – Pakistan Microfinance Investment Company (PMIC)

10:30 am – 11:00 am
Coffee Break

11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Fireside Chat: Global Landscape for Equity & Debt Investment in Microfinance
Moderator: Mr. Ramil Maharramov , MIT Sloan Fellow, World Bank Finance and Private Sector
Development Consultant
Speaker: Ms. Deborah Drake , Council Director – Financial Inclusion Equity Council (FIEC)

12:00 pm – 01:00 pm
Lunch Break

01:00 pm onwards
Departure for Field Visit to Rural MFI in Azerbaijan

Day 4 – 22nd May 2025 (Thursday)

09:00 am – 10:00 am
Panel Discussion – Global Regulatory Landscape: Navigating Challenges, Seizing Opportunities
Moderator: Dr. Alok Misra , Chairperson – Global Alliance for Financial Inclusion (GAFI)
Panelists:
• Mr. J P Sharma, CGM, Department of Regulation – Reserve Bank of India
• Mr. Iqbal Ahammed , Executive Director- Bangladesh Extension Education Services (BEES) &
Vice-Chairman of BoD- Credit and Development Forum (CDF)
• Mr. Aamir Khan , President – HBL Microfinance Bank & Chair – Pakistan Microfinance Network
(PMN)
• Dr. Md. Abdul Karim, Executive Director of UCEP Bangladesh and former Principal Secretary to the Bangladesh Prime Minister

10:00 am – 10:15 am
Coffee Break

10:15 am – 02:15 pm (incl.lunch break)

Track 1 – Senior Management Workshop Session III – Leadership Development in Financial Inclusion
Trainers: Ms. Roshaneh Zafar, Managing Director – Kashf Foundation
Ms. Saira Soofi, Chief Legal Officer and Company Secretary – Kashf Foundation

Track 2 – Mid-level Management
Workshop Session III – Risk Mitigation by Microinsurance
Trainer: Mr. Michael J. McCord, Managing Director – MicroInsurance Centre at MILLIMAN

02:15 pm – 02:30 pm
Vote of Thanks: Dr. Alok Misra, Chairperson – Global Alliance for Financial Inclusion (GAFI)

Certificate Distribution