Papua New Guinea will co-host the Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI) Global Policy Forum (GPF) in 2026, the Bank of Papua New Guinea (BPNG) confirmed.
Governor Elizabeth Genia accepted the hosting offer on behalf of the country during the 2025 AFI Global Policy Forum in Swakopmund, Namibia, which drew senior policymakers and central bank leaders from across the developing world.
“I am honoured that AFI has chosen Papua New Guinea to co host the 2026 Global Policy Forum, where central bank governors and policymakers from around the world will gather to advance financial inclusion worldwide,” Genia said.
She added that the event would highlight regional unity: “This will not just be Papua New Guinea’s event. Our fellow Pacific island nations will stand alongside us as co-hosts, ensuring that the 2026 Forum reflects the shared values and aspirations of our Blue Pacific.”
Pacific priorities
Looking ahead, Genia said the 2026 Forum would tackle pressing issues that are common across island states. “Our focus will be on building resilient economies for an inclusive future. Across the Pacific we share the challenges of distance, climate change, and connectivity, but we also share solutions rooted in innovation, culture, and community,” she said.
Hosting the forum in Port Moresby will shine a spotlight on the Pacific region’s efforts to deepen financial inclusion and build sustainable economies. It will also allow Papua New Guinea to demonstrate its leadership in financial sector reforms.
The AFI Global Policy Forum has become the world’s premier platform for financial inclusion, providing opportunities for regulators and policymakers from over 90 developing and emerging economies to share experiences and shape policy agendas.
Financial inclusion gains
Papua New Guinea’s own financial inclusion record will be featured at the event. The Bank of Papua New Guinea, through its Centre for Excellence in Financial Inclusion (CEFI), has led the delivery of programmes under the National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS), now in its third phase covering 2023–2027.
These initiatives include the creation of more than two million new bank accounts, an expansion of financial service access points nationwide, and an accelerated roll-out of mobile and digital banking, particularly designed to reach women and rural communities.
Financial literacy has also been a central focus. According to BPNG, CEFI has trained more than 250,000 Papua New Guineans in financial literacy, of which 120,000 were women. The country’s NFIS has set a target of bringing at least 50 percent of the population into the formal banking sector by 2030.
In addition, BPNG is preparing to launch its first lending under its green refinance and guarantee facility in 2026. The scheme is aimed at encouraging investments in clean and sustainable projects, thereby strengthening Papua New Guinea’s resilience to climate risks while opening up new financing options for local businesses.
Economic and diplomatic boost
The 2025 AFI forum in Namibia drew around 700 delegates, including 50 central bank governors, and organisers expect similar numbers in Port Moresby next year. The influx of international delegates is forecast to provide economic benefits through increased tourism and spending, while positioning Papua New Guinea on the global stage.
Officials said the event would also attract global media coverage, boosting the country’s visibility as a trusted partner in the international financial inclusion community.
Genia joins AFI Board
Alongside the hosting announcement, Governor Genia was also nominated to the AFI Board of Directors, where she will represent Papua New Guinea and the Pacific Islands Regional Initiative grouping.
“I step into this role with a strong sense of responsibility. Papua New Guinea, like many developing economies, sees in AFI a unique platform where our voices are not just heard but shape global policy,” she said.
“I accept this nomination representing Papua New Guinea, but I am also committed to championing issues which are important to Papua New Guinea's Pacific friends and neighbours.”
In her acceptance, Genia underscored the urgency of addressing climate change through financial systems. “For the countries of the Pacific, our blue-green economy is at the heart of our cultures, our communities, and our economies. Our financial systems must play a central role in addressing the negative impacts of climate change, protecting our cultures and traditions, and building resilience in our economies,” she said.
AFI background
The Alliance for Financial Inclusion is the world’s leading international grouping dedicated to financial inclusion, comprising more than 80 central banks and regulators from over 90 countries. Its annual Global Policy Forum is a platform for dialogue, knowledge sharing, and peer learning, helping member institutions advance policies to expand access to financial services.
Its diverse membership stretches across Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Pacific, providing opportunities for regulators to exchange insights on policies such as digital banking expansion, small business financing and green lending.
