Launch of the AFI European Office in Luxembourg

Launch of the AFI European Office in Luxembourg

5 October 2020

AFI (Alliance for Financial Inclusion) has officially launched its European Office during a ceremony in presence of Mr Pierre Gramegna, Minister of Finance of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Mr Franz Fayot, Minister for Development and Humanitarian Affairs of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, and Dr Alfred  Hannig, Executive Director of AFI. AFI European office is located in the House of Microfinance (39 rue Glesener, Luxembourg) together with ADA, e-MFP, InFiNe.lu, Investing for Development – LMDF, microlux, the Microinsurance Network and SPTF.

During its opening speech, Mr Franz Fayot underlined inclusive finance as very powerful tool to empower people and be economically sustainable. He also stressed the crucial role of women and youth for a more equitable and sustainable future, the importance to further boost financial services for undeserved smallholder farmers who have shown considerable resilience during the sanitary crisis, and digitalisation as a key to bring services to developing countries.

The opening ceremony was followed by a high-level roundtable on converging topics in financial policy and regulation, focusing on emerging opportunities and risk of digital financial services to ensure truly inclusive and sustainable economic recovery as the world emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic. Financial inclusion needs of the most vulnerable populations, women and girls, forcebly displaced persons, youth and those impacted by climate change were emphasized.

The even was moderated by Prof. Dr. Dirk Andreas Zetsche, University of Luxembourg

We can watch the ceremony here