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.
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)
04:00 pm onwards :
Registration & Welcoming the Guests
06:00 pm – 06:30 pm
Welcome Note & Introduction to the Training by Syed Mohsin Ahmed, Honorary CEO – GAFI
06:30 pm – 07:00 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.
07:00 pm – 08:00 pm
Panel Discussion: United for Growth: The Role of Cross-Border Alliances in Advancing Microfinance Goals
Moderator: IFC representative*
Panelists:
• Dr. Rashid Bajwa, CEO – National Rural Support Programme (NRSP)
• Mr Imran Ahmed, Deputy Executive Director – Shakti Foundation for Disadvantaged Women
• Md. Abdul Awal , Executive Director – Credit & Development Forum (CDF)
• Mr. Venkatesh N , Founder and Managing Director – IIFL Samasta Finance Limited
08:00 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 Innovations for Financial Inclusion”
Trainer: Mr. Blaine Stephens, Independent Advisor Inclusive Finance & Fintech
Track 2 – Mid-level Management
Workshop Session I – Sustainable Finance: Making Financial Institutions ESG & USSEMP Compliant
Trainer: Ms. Rula Mheissen, Client Protection Specialist and Head of Outreach to the
Middle East and North Africa at SPTF
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 Iqbal Ahammed , Executive Director- Bangladesh Extension Education Services (BEES) & Vice-Chairman of BoD- Credit and Development Forum (CDF)
• Mr. Haaris M. Chaudhary , CEO & President – Mobilink Microfinance Bank Ltd.
• Mr. Firoz Anam , Chief Risk Officer – CreditAccess Grameen Ltd.
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 – Managing Growth in Uncertain Environment
Trainer: Mr. Daniel Rozas, Senior
Microfinance Expert – e-MFP
Ms. Donna Nails – Development Finance &
Risk Management Specialist
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
Trainer: MicroSave Consulting
representative
Trainer: MicroSave Consulting
representative
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. M A Baqui Khalily , Professor – Department of Business Administration, University of Asia Pacific, Dhaka, Bangladesh
• Mr. Aamir Khan , President – HBL Microfinance Bank & Chair – Pakistan Microfinance Network (PMN)
• Mr. Abdul Karim, 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 – 03:15 pm:
PowerTalk 4: Running Strong Microfinance Entities in an Uncertain Environment
Speaker: Ms. Momina Aijazuddin, IFC’s Regional Head of Industry for Financial Institutions
03:15 pm – 03:30 pm
Vote of Thanks: Dr. Alok Misra, Chairperson – Global Alliance for Financial Inclusion (GAFI)
Certificate Distribution
*To be confirmed
Speakers
Mr. Amir Khan
President & CEO, HBL Microfinance Bank
Mr. Blaine Stephens
Advisor Inclusive Finance
Dr. Alok Misra
CEO & Director Microfinance Industry Network (MFIN)
Dr. Rashid Bajwa
CEO NRSP
Mr. Haaris M. Chaudhary
Chief Operating Officer Mobilink Bank
Michael J. McCord
Managing Director, MicroInsurance Centre at Milliman
Yasir Ashfaq
CEO - Pakistan Microfinance Investment Company (PMIC)
Deborah Drake
Council Director - Financial Inclusion Equity Council (FIEC)
Rula Mheissen
Client Protection Specialist and Head of Outreach to the Middle East and North Africa SPTF
Dr. Md. Abdul Karim
Former Principal Secretary
Mr. Firoz Anam
Chief Risk Officer - Credit Access Grameen Ltd.
Rishi Raithatha
Digital Finance and Inclusive Insurance Expert & Co-Chair - Financial Inclusion Forum (FIF-UK)
Malik Asif Russd
Chief Executive Officer Designate BRAC Kenya Company Limited
Nadir Gul Barech
CEO PPAF
Ms. Donna Nails
Development Finance & Risk Management Specialist
Ms. Saira Soofi
Chief Legal Officer and Company Secretary Kashf Foundation
Mr. Ramil Maharramov Muzaffarsky
MIT Sloan Fellow in Innovation, Senior Consultant in Finance and Private Sector Development
Mr. Daniel Rozas
Senior Microfinance Expert e-MFP