MORE than 600 people have received financial literacy training and more than 1,000 bank accounts have been opened during two financial inclusion outreach programmes in Amazon Bay LLG, as the Centre for Excellence in Financial Inclusion (CEFI) and its partners continue efforts to bring formal financial services closer to rural communities.
The latest Financial Inclusion and Currency Awareness Programme, conducted from 17 to 21 August 2026 in Amazon Bay LLG, Abau District, Central Province, was delivered by CEFI with the support of the Bank of Papua New Guinea (BPNG), MiBank, TISA Bank and Women’s Micro Bank.
A major milestone of the programme was the launch of banking agents at Kurere Asiaro Village on Tuesday, 18 August, providing communities with greater access to banking services without having to travel long distances to major centres.
Bank of Papua New Guinea Governor Ms Elizabeth Genia officially launched the banking agents following a programme at Magarida Junior High School.
Tony Mwayawa was appointed to operate as an agent for both MiBank and TISA Bank, allowing customers to access services from the two financial institutions through the same local agent. Alpha Andrew was also recognised as a banking agent for Women’s Micro Bank, further expanding access to formal financial services in the area.
Governor Genia described the establishment of banking agents as an important step towards ensuring that rural communities are included in Papua New Guinea’s formal financial system.
“The partnership that we have today is critical to this success,” Ms Genia said, highlighting the importance of collaboration between the central bank, financial institutions, financial inclusion stakeholders and communities.
She said banking agents would allow people to deposit, withdraw, send and receive money closer to where they live, reducing the need to travel considerable distances to access financial services.
“You have an agency now. Bring that money to the agent,” Ms Genia said. “This is the reason why we’ve come to the doorstep. We are here to serve the people.”
Governor Genia also emphasised that providing access to banking services must be complemented by financial education so people understand how to manage their money responsibly.
“Don’t let that money just sit there. You have to make that money grow,” she said. “The purpose of this financial inclusion literacy training awareness is to educate you how to save money, how to invest.”
She encouraged communities to use the financial literacy knowledge gained through the programme to save, invest and prepare themselves for emerging economic opportunities.
Governor Genia said improvements in infrastructure, particularly the Magi Highway, had the potential to stimulate greater economic activity and create new opportunities for people in Amazon Bay. As economic activity grows, access to appropriate financial services will become increasingly important.
She also urged communities to respect and support the newly appointed banking agents, who are required to meet regulatory requirements and will continue to be monitored
Looking to the future, Governor Genia expressed hope that increased economic activity and demand for financial services could eventually support the establishment of a full bank in Amazon Bay.
“Together, we’ll make a positive difference,” she said.
CEFI Acting Executive Director Mr Peter Samuel said establishing banking agents in Amazon Bay was an important response to the challenges rural communities face in accessing formal financial services.
CEFI returned to Amazon Bay after communities requested banking agents and further financial literacy training following the first Financial Inclusion and Currency Awareness Programme conducted in July 2026.
Mr Samuel said people in the area had previously been required to travel as far as Alotau and Port Moresby to conduct banking transactions, creating significant costs and difficulties for families and communities.
“Agents are like the bridge. They’re connecting you people to the formal financial services that we others benefit from across towns and cities,” Mr Samuel said.
He said the presence of banking agents would help communities access financial opportunities that had previously been difficult to reach because formal banking services were not readily available in the area.
Mr Samuel stressed, however, that providing access alone was not enough and must be supported by financial education.
“Financial services also open opportunities for your future and benefits that you would want to enjoy in the future,” he said.
Addressing students during the programme, Mr Samuel encouraged them to share the financial education messages they had received with their families and communities.
“I hope that whatever we’re doing, take some important messages home, not only for yourselves, but your parents as well as your villages back home,” he said.
Mr Samuel also acknowledged Governor Genia for travelling to Amazon Bay, describing her presence as a demonstration of leadership, humility and commitment to rural communities.
During her keynote address, Governor Genia also shared her personal journey with students, reflecting on her humble beginnings in the Amazon Bay area and encouraging young people not to allow their location or circumstances to restrict their ambitions.
She recalled growing up on a rubber plantation at Cape Rodney and progressing through her education before eventually becoming Governor of the Bank of Papua New Guinea.
“Don’t let the situation, how remote you are in Amazon Bay, deter you,” she told students, stressing the importance of education, hard work, respect and personal responsibility.
“If a girl can reach the top, I’m sure you can do it as well.”
Her message reinforced one of the programme’s central objectives — empowering young people and communities not only through access to financial services, but also through knowledge and education that can improve their future economic wellbeing.
Financial Literacy Training formed a major component of the August programme, with training conducted at Mailu Island, Aroana Village and Borebo Village.
The training provided participants with practical knowledge in saving, budgeting, responsible money management and the use of formal financial services.
Through the training, CEFI aims to equip individuals and families with the knowledge and skills required to make informed financial decisions, manage household income responsibly and participate more confidently in Papua New Guinea’s formal financial system.
The financial literacy activities were complemented by bank account opening and banking product awareness conducted by MiBank, TISA Bank and Women’s Micro Bank.
The programme therefore allowed participants to move from learning about the importance of saving and formal financial services to having the opportunity to open accounts and begin using those services.
The August programme began on Monday, 17 August, with activities at Bailebo Primary School involving CEFI, the BPNG Currency Awareness Team, MiBank, TISA Bank and Women’s Micro Bank.
BPNG conducted currency awareness sessions to educate students and community members about Papua New Guinea’s currency, including the proper care and handling of banknotes.
MiBank, TISA Bank and Women’s Micro Bank provided bank account opening and banking product awareness services, allowing community members to engage directly with financial institutions.
Students were also introduced to financial education messages designed to encourage saving and responsible money-management habits from an early age.
The banking agent launch on 18 August was witnessed by community leaders and stakeholders, including Amazon Bay LLG President Mr Gideon Dauge, Eisa Inc. owner Dr Gairo
Onagi, CEFI Acting Executive Director Mr Peter Samuel, representatives of participating financial institutions and members of the Kurere Asiaro community.
As part of the programme, Governor Genia presented Starlink kits to Dr Onagi, Mr Dauge and Magarida Junior High School.
CEFI also supported local schools, with Mr Samuel presenting sporting equipment to Magarida Junior High School and Magarida Primary School.
Following the official banking agent launch, MiBank, TISA Bank and Women’s Micro Bank continued bank account opening and banking product awareness activities at Magarida Junior High School for students, teachers and members of surrounding communities.
The August programme marked the second time CEFI, BPNG and participating financial institutions had taken the Financial Inclusion and Currency Awareness Programme to Amazon Bay LLG in 2026.
The first programme was conducted from 7 to 10 July 2026 and demonstrated strong community demand for financial education and access to formal financial services.
The return visit expanded the initiative to additional communities and responded to requests for banking agents and further financial literacy training.
Across the two programmes, more than 600 people received financial literacy training, more than 1,000 bank accounts were opened and banking agents were established to provide communities with ongoing access to formal financial services.
The programme combines Financial Literacy Training, Currency Awareness, Bank Account Opening, Banking Product Awareness and Agency Banking to address some of the major barriers that prevent rural and underserved communities from participating fully in the formal financial system.
CEFI, with the support of BPNG, MiBank, TISA Bank and Women’s Micro Bank, remains committed to advancing financial inclusion and ensuring that financial education and appropriate financial services reach Papua New Guineans wherever they live.