Fiji’s central bank has been awarded The Nestor Espenilla Jr Financial Inclusion Innovation Award at the 2024 Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI) Awards ceremony. This annual award, presented during the AFI Global Policy Forum, is one of the highest honors in the financial sector, recognizing outstanding initiatives by regulatory bodies that promote financial inclusion.
Reserve Bank of Fiji (RBF) Governor Ariff Ali expressed that the award symbolizes excellence and highlights their commitment to making financial services accessible to everyone. He noted, “This achievement honors the tremendous progress we’ve made in advancing financial inclusion. It reflects the resilience, innovation, and collaborative spirit that defines our nation.”
During a celebratory event at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva, Ali emphasized the importance of fostering an inclusive financial ecosystem that utilizes digital platforms to empower every Fijian citizen. He remarked that this award represents the combined efforts of development partners, financial institutions, government agencies, the private sector, and communities working together for a more inclusive financial future in Fiji.
Dr. Eliki Boletawa, AFI Director of Policy Programs and Implementation, stated that the RBF’s innovative solutions in digital and financial technology have transformed Fiji’s financial landscape and serve as a model for other countries aiming to improve financial inclusion. He further noted that the award underscores RBF’s ongoing efforts to close the financial inclusion gap, particularly for underserved groups such as women, youth, and rural communities.