By GINNAH MINI
THE 2026 Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI) Global Policy Forum was officially opened today at APEC House bringing together global financial inclusion community to tackle the challenges of financial inclusion in Papua New Guinea.
The Bank of Papua New Guinea (BPNG) co-hosted the forum which was attended by over 700 policymakers, regulators and partners from 80 countries.
Governor for BPNG, Elizabeth Genia, in her speech noted that the challenge of financial inclusion can be seen clearly in PNG, where 80% of the population live in rural communities.
Governor Genia said that opening an account does not create financial security, and providing financial services does not result in meaningful financial inclusion if people do not trust it.
“Bringing more people into the financial system cannot be regarded as progress if the system they enter is unsafe or unworthy of their trust,” Governor Genia said.
“That is why the theme of this year’s forum, Resilient Economies, Inclusive Future, is so important.”
Governor Genia added that a stable financial system creates the conditions in which trust and inclusion can grow.
“Meaningful inclusion allows more people and businesses to save and invest, manage risk and participate more fully in economic life,” Governor Genia said.
She added that financial inclusion forms part of BPNG’s mandate-sitting alongside its responsibilities for price stability, financial stability and the development of the financial system.
Acting Prime Minister, John Rosso in his keynote speech commended BPNG and AFI for bringing the Global Policy forum to Port Moresby.
Mr. Rosso noted that financial inclusion is more than banking issue, it harnesses countries, it develops nations and it makes households and people survive.
Mr. Rosso said that to address financial inclusion, government and financial institutions need to work together.
“Government has to work in harness with our banking systems to make it easy. We need to find solutions to be able to overcome those hurdles for the benefit of our people, making it accessible in this digital age, making it accessible for economies to thrive and for villagers to thrive,” Mr. Rosso said.