Kenya to host over 1,000 experts for Africa Inclusive Finance Week

Winnie Saha-KNA

Kenya will host Africa Inclusive Finance Week 2025 (SAM 2025) from October 13-17, following its official media launch in Nairobi on March 21.

The event, organized in partnership with the Association of Microfinance Institutions of Kenya (AMFI-K) and Appui au Développement Autonome (ADA), will bring together over 1,000 participants to discuss financial inclusion, impact investment, and microfinance solutions across Africa.

Speaking at the launch, the Principal Secretary (PS) of the State Department of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Development, Susan Auma Mang'eni, emphasized the urgency of expanding financial access.

Mang'eni highlighted Kenya’s commitment to bridging the financing gap, estimated at US$20 billion, and supporting MSMEs.

"We feel privileged to host this event as we continue making strides in financial inclusion. Kenya remains a global leader in fintech innovation, providing a solid foundation for discussions on expanding credit access and financial services," she said.

Mang'eni underscored the role of the Hustler Fund, which has benefited over 25 million borrowers, in enhancing financial inclusion.           

She noted that many small-scale borrowers have demonstrated creditworthiness and called for the integration of behavioural rating systems into mainstream credit referencing to help low-income earners to qualify for loans without conventional collateral.

Despite progress, women and youth continue to face significant barriers in accessing credit due to a lack of collateral such as land or business assets.

Mang'eni urged financial institutions to adopt risk-based lending models tailored to these demographics.

"Women and young entrepreneurs should not be locked out of financial opportunities due to outdated risk perceptions," she said.

The National Treasury and Central Bank of Kenya are exploring alternative credit-scoring mechanisms, including behavioural data from digital lending platforms.

Kenya’s financial inclusion strategy also aligns with its growing global trade ambitions. Recent trade agreements with the European Union, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates are creating new opportunities for local businesses, but MSMEs still face challenges due to inefficient payment systems.

"We must ensure financial solutions keep pace with trade expansion. Payment flexibility will be a key topic at Africa Inclusive Finance Week," Mang'eni said.

Ahead of the conference, the government is calling on financial institutions, policymakers, and development partners to collaborate in closing the financial access gap.

 "By leveraging fintech, alternative credit-scoring systems, and innovative lending models, we can create an inclusive financial ecosystem that leaves no one behind," she said.

ADA Executive Director, Laura Foschi, traced the evolution of the SAM conference from its origins in 2013 in Arusha, Tanzania, to a five-day event attracting participants from 54 countries, 36 of them being African nations.

 "This event is about forming meaningful partnerships and driving real change," she stated.

The summit now includes impact investors, fintech innovators, and financial policymakers, making it a key event in Africa’s financial sector.

Foschi emphasized that the event’s success will be measured by its tangible impact, including new business deals and partnerships that drive financial access in Africa.

 Kenya’s selection as the host country highlights its strong fintech ecosystem, mobile banking success, and financial innovation.

"The bar has been set high, but Kenya has the opportunity to make this edition even better," she said.

Africa Inclusive Finance Week 2025 aims to reorient financial inclusion toward clients, particularly vulnerable populations affected by economic and climate challenges.

 The event is expected to drive critical discussions on unlocking financial inclusion, fostering partnerships, and promoting economic growth through inclusive finance.

As Foschi said, “This is more than a conference; it is a movement toward sustainable financial access for all.”