The Bank of Namibia received the 2026 Institutional Leadership Award from the Alliance for Financial Inclusion during the September 2026 Global Policy Forum in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. The global network of financial regulators also honored central banks in Bangladesh and Tanzania for expanding access to financial services and closing gender gaps.
Bank of Namibia Earns Global Institutional Leadership Honor in Papua New Guinea
The Bank of Namibia secured the 2026 Institutional Leadership Award from the Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI) during the 2026 AFI Global Policy Forum hosted in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. The recognition highlights the central bank’s contributions to financial inclusion policy development and technical work within the international regulatory network.
Deputy Governor Leonie Dunn accepted the award on behalf of the institution. Dunn also serves on the AFI Board of Directors, helping guide the strategic direction and governance of the network. The AFI Institutional Leadership Award goes to member institutions that demonstrate active engagement, technical contributions, thought leadership, and representation on global platforms. The Bank of Namibia has maintained principal membership in the network since 2009.
The Bank of Namibia also earned individual recognition when principal economist Sesilia Nekwaya-Okafor received the 2026 Technical Leadership Award for her work with the Financial Inclusion Data and Impact Working Group (FIDIWG), where she serves as co-chair and gender focal point lead.
Bank Governor Ebson Uanguta welcomed the honors upon the delegation’s return, stating that the awards prove the institution is actively contributing practical solutions to international policy discussions. The recognition builds on Namibia’s momentum from 2025, when the central bank co-hosted the AFI Global Policy Forum in Swakopmund, an event that drew more than 700 delegates from 61 countries and produced the Swakopmund Call to Action.
Bangladesh Bank Secures Maya Declaration and Gender-Inclusive Finance Honors
In another major showing at the Port Moresby forum, Bangladesh Bank received two distinct accolades on September 3, 2026: the AFI Maya Declaration Commitment Award 2026 and the designation of AFI Gender Inclusive Finance Champion Institution.
Deputy Governor Dr. Md. Habibur Rahman accepted both awards on behalf of the central bank. The Maya Declaration Commitment Award recognizes the institution’s sustained progress in fulfilling annual financial inclusion targets. These targets are pursued jointly by central bank departments, the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU), and the Microcredit Regulatory Authority (Mra). Notably, Bangladesh Bank won this same award in 2025.
The second honor designated the bank as a Gender Inclusive Finance Champion Institution in recognition of institutional commitments and innovative measures aimed at expanding women’s access to formal financial services under AFI’s Denarau Action Plan.
Bank of Tanzania Recognized for Financial Health and Leadership
The Bank of Tanzania (BoT) also emerged among the leading institutions worldwide during the 2026 Global Policy Forum on Financial Inclusion, which ran from September 1 to 4 and brought together more than 700 participants from 79 countries.
BoT Governor Emmanuel Tutuba received certificates under the Maya Declaration Award category and for implementing the Denarau Action Plan to reduce gender disparities in the financial sector. Addressing a panel discussion during the summit, Tutuba emphasized that metrics must look beyond basic account creation.
Tutuba argued that the ultimate measure of success is whether individuals can effectively manage finances, save, make productive use of credit, and withstand financial shocks. He outlined Tanzania’s strategy of utilizing an integrated digital payments system, financial literacy programs, and targeted sector policies.
Additional Tanzanian officials received individual recognition during the forum. Nangi Massawe, manager of the Financial Inclusion Department, secured a certificate in the Financial Inclusion Policy Leadership category, while Khadijah Kishimba, manager of the Financial Consumer Protection Department, was honored for market conduct and consumer empowerment. Three other bank officials completed the Fletcher School Financial Inclusion Leadership Programme.
Global Policy Forum Highlights Shared Focus on Resilient Economies
The annual gathering operated under the overarching theme Resilient Economy, Inclusive Future.
The Alliance for Financial Inclusion connects central banks, financial regulators, and policymakers across developing and emerging economies to share regulatory strategies.
While the Bank of Namibia focused its delegation’s efforts on institutional policy frameworks and technical working groups, Bangladesh Bank highlighted coordinated multi-agency targets, and the Bank of Tanzania emphasized digital payments and consumer protection. Together, the recognitions in Port Moresby spotlight how central banks in Africa and Asia are reshaping domestic regulatory environments to move past basic financial access into measurable economic resilience.
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