Press Release: CBSI Welcomes AFI’s Visitation 

The Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI) was privileged to have a three days in-country visit by the Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI), Director of policy and programmes, Mr. Eliki Boleitawa

AFI is a policy leadership alliance owned and led by member central banks and financial regulatory institutions with the common objective of advancing financial inclusion at the country, regional and international levels.

With CBSI being a member of the AFI network, the purpose of the visit is to sensitize member institutions regarding the uplifting role of AFI as a global network and how member institutions have influenced global discourses on financial inclusion through policy development, peer to peer learning, exposure learning, among others.

 As part of the visit, Mr Eiliki conducted an awareness session for the Staff and Management of (CBSI) on the 22nd of September at the CBSI headquarters. The session focused on orientating CBSI staff and management regarding the network’s mandate, its work with member countries and thematic workstreams.

During the session Staff were able to learn how AFI operates and how they can benefit from the services and capacity building programs offered. 

Mr. Boleitawa also paid a courtesy visit to the Governor on Friday 23rd of September and took the opportunity to present the AFI award certificate on “Technical Leadership on Financial Inclusion” to the award recipient, CBSI Manager for Financial Inclusion, Linda Folia.

In acknowledgement of the visitation by AFI, CBSI Governor, Dr. Luke Forau has thanked Mr. Eliki for choosing Solomon Islands as one of the member countries to visit. He further highlighted the challenges that Solomon Islands faced in extending financial access points to the rural areas so that the last mile can access financial services. “The key areas which the Central Bank would need AFI support on are Fintech and Innovation,” Governor Forau said.

AFI members are central banks and other financial regulatory institutions from seventy-five developing countries, where the majority of the world’s unbanked reside.

The network’s members have pioneered some of the most innovative policy approaches to extend the financial system to the unbanked while balancing innovation, risks and stability.

 

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For more information, please contact:

Central Bank of Solomon Islands | P.O. BOX 634 | Honiara | Ph: (677) 21791 | Email: info@cbsi.com.sb | Website: www.cbsi.com.sb