About the Conference
Global Microfinance Summit Season 1 | London
A Global Meeting Point for Inclusive Finance
The Global Microfinance Summit — Chapter 1, jointly hosted by the Financial Inclusion Forum UK (FIF) and the Global Alliance for Financial Inclusion (GAFI), will bring together leading organisations and professionals from across the global microfinance and financial inclusion ecosystem in London on 21–22 November 2026 at SOAS, University of London.
Building on the success of the 2023 regional event, this two-day global gathering will provide a platform for microfinance associations, financial service providers, impact investors, development finance institutions, donors, policymakers, researchers and strategic partners to exchange knowledge, explore emerging trends and develop practical solutions for expanding access to financial services for underserved communities.
A Global Platform for Collaboration and Investment
The Summit is designed to strengthen connections between microfinance networks around the world and partners across the UK, Europe and the United States.
A key feature of the Summit will be opportunities for microfinance associations and financial service providers to engage directly with impact investors, development finance institutions, donors and strategic partners. These engagements will create opportunities to showcase investment-ready initiatives, explore partnerships and strengthen cross-border collaboration.
The Summit will also feature a dedicated Investor–FSP Matchmaking Session, providing a structured and curated opportunity for selected investors and financial service providers to connect around potential investment and partnership opportunities.
Three Pillars Shaping the Summit
The programme will be organised around three interconnected themes reflecting some of the most important priorities facing the microfinance and financial inclusion sector today. These pillars will guide the Summit's discussions, panels, workshops and partnership opportunities.
Building Resilience
Communities around the world are facing interconnected challenges including climate change, health crises, economic instability and geopolitical uncertainty.
This pillar will explore how financial inclusion can help underserved and vulnerable communities become more resilient.
Key Areas
- Climate adaptation and agricultural finance, particularly for smallholder farmers
- The role of women in agriculture and climate action
- Health and livelihood financing for under-protected communities
- Insurance and cross-sector financing models
- Geopolitical and geo-economic challenges and potential solutions
- Client protection and safeguarding vulnerable customers
Financial Innovation
Digital technologies and new financial instruments are transforming the way underserved populations access credit, savings and insurance.
This pillar will examine the innovations, investment structures and business models that can help shape the next generation of inclusive finance.
Key Areas
- Fintech and digital tools transforming microfinance delivery
- Predictive analytics and data-driven credit scoring
- Emerging equity and debt investment trends for MFIs
- Youth financial inclusion and financial literacy
- Savings, insurance and other financial services beyond credit
- New approaches to strengthening financial resilience
Responsible Implementation
As the microfinance sector continues to evolve, effective regulation, sound policy and responsible financial practices are essential to protect clients and maintain trust.
This pillar will bring together regulators, policymakers and practitioners to explore how innovation and effective oversight can work together.
Key Areas
- Regulation and policy frameworks that balance innovation with client protection
- Responding to economic, geopolitical and climate-related uncertainty
- Policy and resource mobilisation for climate-resilient agricultural finance
- Standard-setting and responsible finance practices
- Strengthening sustainable and inclusive financial systems
What to Expect
A Dynamic Programme
The Summit will feature a dynamic programme of expert panels, interactive discussions and workshops covering a range of topics under the three core pillars.
Participants will have opportunities to engage directly with subject-matter experts, exchange experiences with peers and explore practical approaches to advancing financial inclusion.
Connections That Matter
The programme will also create space for partnership development, investment conversations and knowledge exchange.
These opportunities will help participants build meaningful connections across markets and regions.
An Opportunity for Partners
The Summit offers sponsors and strategic partners an opportunity to engage with influential organisations across the financial inclusion ecosystem, including national and regional microfinance associations, investors, financial institutions, development organisations and other sector stakeholders.
Partners will have opportunities to
- Build relationships with leading financial inclusion organisations
- Explore investment and partnership opportunities
- Support socially impactful initiatives
- Engage with the Investor–FSP Matchmaking process
- Increase visibility among organisations with significant member and end-user reach
- Contribute to conversations shaping the future of inclusive finance
Who Should Attend?
The Global Microfinance Summit is designed for professionals and organisations working across the financial inclusion ecosystem, including:
A Global Community for Inclusive Finance
The Global Microfinance Summit brings together diverse voices from across the sector to strengthen knowledge exchange, collaboration, investment and innovation.
By connecting microfinance networks with investors, policymakers, development institutions, researchers and private-sector partners, the Summit aims to contribute to a more resilient, innovative, responsible and inclusive financial ecosystem.
Join the Global Conversation
Be part of a global community working together to expand access to financial services, strengthen resilience and create sustainable opportunities for underserved communities.