Agenda
Day 0 Sunday – April 19th, 2026
05:00 pm onwards
Gates open for registration
06:00 pm – 06:15 pm
Welcome Address: Dr. Alok Misra, Chairperson – Global Alliance for Financial Inclusion (GAFI)
06:15 pm – 06:45 pm
Opening Keynote: “The State of Global Financial Inclusion in 2026 and Beyond”
An overview of global macroeconomic trends, geopolitics, inflationary pressures, and
climate risks—and their implications for inclusive finance institutions.
Followed by Q&A
06:45 pm – 07:15 pm
Fireside Chat with the Central Bank Leader (Financial Inclusion / Microfinance /
Digital Finance)
A candid dialogue on regulatory priorities, balancing innovation with stability, and the
future role of regulators in enabling responsible digital finance.
07:15 pm – 07:45 pm
Poll To Get Audience Views on State of The Global Microfinance Trends by Syed
Mohsin Ahmed, CEO – GAFI
07:45 pm onwards
Welcome / Inaugural Dinner
Day 1 Monday – April 20th, 2026
09:00 am – 09:45 am
Power Talk I: Microfinance in an Evolving Ecosystem
Microfinance is rapidly transforming amid intersecting global forces—climate change,
artificial intelligence, shifting geopolitics, and emerging investment models. This session
explores how MFPs are responding to climate risks through green finance and resiliencebuilding solutions, while leveraging AI for predictive analytics, digital platforms, and
enhanced risk management—alongside managing rising cyber-security threats. The
discussion will also examine how geopolitical shifts are influencing capital flows,
regulation, and cross-border partnerships, and how new investment frontiers—such as
affordable housing finance, nano-loans, and embedded finance—are reshaping outreach
and sustainability.
09:45 am – 10:45 am
Panel I: Execution Matters: Building Cross-Border Partnerships That Deliver
Examines practical models of collaboration, joint investments, and knowledge-sharing
that deliver real impact beyond formal agreements/commitments.
10:45 am – 12:30 pm
Track 1: Master Class – “Leadership
Under Pressure – Decision-Making in
Times of Uncertainty”
Focus: Builds leadership capacity to
navigate crises, trade-offs, and
institutional stress through scenario-based
decision-making.
Track 2: Workshop Session I – Operational
Resilience & Business Continuity
Planning During Times of Climate
Vulnerabilities
Focus: Focuses on strengthening systems,
processes, and teams to ensure continuity
during shocks and disruptions.
12:30 pm – 01:30 pm
Networking Lunch
01:30 pm – 03:30 pm
Track 1: Interaction with a Sector Leader
Track 2: Continuation of the above
workshop session
03:30 pm – 03:45 pm
Tea Break
03:45 pm – 04:30 pm
Special Session I: Using AI, Big Data and Machine Learning in Credit & Portfolio
Management
This session explores how AI, big data, and machine learning are transforming credit
assessment and portfolio management in financial institutions. It will highlight practical
use cases, from alternative data and predictive analytics to early-warning systems and
risk optimization. Participants will also examine limitations, governance concerns, and
the critical role of human judgment in responsible AI adoption.
Day 2 – Tuesday – April 21st, 2026
09:00 am – 09:45 am
Power Talk II: Unraveling/Mapping the Overall Reporting for Impact – Measuring
What Truly Matters
As impact expectations rise, microfinance institutions face a complex landscape of ESG,
green reporting, S-1/S-2 accounting, USSEPM, Sixty Decibels, and evolving sustainability
frameworks. This session maps the overall impact reporting ecosystem, highlighting
what truly matters for the microfinance industry—balancing compliance with
meaningful, client-level outcomes. It will explore how robust impact and sustainability
reporting can strengthen credibility, guide better decisions, and create measurable
social and environmental impact.
09:45 am – 10:45 am
Panel II: Global Rules, New Realities: 2026 and Beyond
The panel will discuss emerging regulations on digital finance, consumer protection,
climate risk, and cross-border supervision.
10:45 am – 03:30
p m
(i ncl. lunch)
Track 1: Workshop Session II – DecisionMaking, Oversight, and Accountability
at the Top
Focus: This workshop explores how
senior leaders can strengthen decisionmaking, oversight, and accountability at
the highest levels of the organization.
Through real-world examples and
interactive discussions, participants will
learn how to balance strategic priorities,
manage risks effectively, and foster a
culture of responsible leadership.
Track 2: Workshop Session II – “Client
Protection in a Digital World”
Focus: Explores over-indebtedness, data
privacy, algorithmic bias, and responsible
digital engagement with clients.
03:30 pm – 03:45 pm
Tea Break
03:45 pm – 04:45 pm
Special Session II: Islamic Microfinance – From Niche to Mass Market
This session explores how Islamic microfinance can move beyond a niche offering to
become a scalable, mainstream solution for financial inclusion. It examines Shariahcompliant products, delivery models, and partnerships that enable outreach while
maintaining ethical and social objectives. Participants will gain insights into overcoming
operational, regulatory, and market barriers to achieve sustainable growth and wider
impact.
Day 3 – Wednesday – April 22nd, 2026
09:00 am – 12:00 pm
Lego-Serious Play: Constructing a Strong Financial Institution That works for the
Marginalized Community
12:00 pm – 01:00 pm
Panel III: Beyond the Risk Register: Risk Management 3.0 for the Next Decade
Examines integrated approaches to managing climate, cyber, political, and operational
risks in MFPs.
01:00 pm – 02:00 pm
Lunch Break
02:00 pm – 05:00 pm
Track 1: Workshop Session III –
Building Resilient MFPs Through Risk
Reduction, Retention & Transfer
Focus: This training session focuses on
strengthening the resilience of
microfinance providers through
effective risk reduction, risk retention,
and risk transfer strategies. It integrates
a strong climate lens by addressing
climate finance opportunities, mapping
available instruments, and exploring
how MFPs can attract and leverage
climate capital. The workshop will
introduce practical climate stress
testing approaches to identify climate related risks, assess portfolio impacts,
and embed resilience and sustainability
into strategic planning and decision making.
Track 2: Workshop Session III –
Microinsurance & Shock-Responsive
Financial Products
Focus: Focuses on designing insurance and
emergency finance products that help clients
cope with shocks.
05:00 pm – 05:30 pm
Case Clinic in Continuation to Above Workshops: Institutional Risk Scenarios
Participant-led case discussions to analyze real-world risk challenges and peer-based
solutioning.
Facilitated by above trainers for their respective sessions
Day 4 – Thursday – April 23rd, 2026
09:00 am – 10:00 am
Power Talk III: Unraveling the Mission & Absorbing Diversity
This session examines how financial inclusion institutions can remain anchored to their
core mission while navigating an increasingly diverse landscape of products, delivery
channels, and business models. It explores the strategic trade-offs between focus and
expansion, and how mission drift can be avoided. Participants will gain practical insights
on aligning innovation and diversity with long-term purpose and impact.
10:00 am – 10:30 am
Tea Break
10:30 am – 12:30 pm
GAFI Debate: Are we Drifting from our Core Mission?
• 3 speakers in favor
• 3 speakers against
• Jury representation
• Voting by the Audience
12:30 pm – 01:30 pm
Closing Ceremony & Certificate Distribution
01:30 pm onwards
Closing Lunch & Departures