Mail & Guardian Financial Inclusion - Advancing in a digital economy

Tue May 22, 08:30 - Wed May 23, 16:00

Glenhove Conference Centre

ABOUT

Financial inclusion is a means to providing access and affordability to a full suite of quality financial services to all segments of the population who can use them to help manage their financial and economic lives.
 
In South Africa (SA), only 54% of people in townships have bank accounts, let alone access to secure services of banks. 66% of adults have access to financial services in the country, but it is much lower in townships and rural areas.
 
Without access to financial services, the poor and marginalised segments of the population in SA cannot fully participate in economic activities as either consumers or entrepreneurs. Access to financial services allows families to smooth out consumption and invest in their futures through education and health. Access to credit also enables business to expand and create jobs.
 
Therefore, in order for SA to achieve socio-economic development, inclusive growth, which then enhances GDP growth, reduce poverty and inequality, it is critical that the key stakeholders in the financial and non-financial ecosystem work together towards advancing financial inclusion. Leveraging on today’s digital environment, they can tap onto new market opportunities - the underserved, underbanked, uninsured and SMMEs.

Given the importance of financial inclusion in promoting socio-economic development and creating new market opportunities, Mail & Guardian will host a two-day event – “Financial Inclusion – Advancing in a digital economy”.

For more information, book seat/s and/or group discount, to sponsor, email [email protected] or [email protected] or call Tel: 11 250 7300

AGENDA DISCUSSION

M&G will bring together the industry stakeholders, regulators, government, innovators, public and private sector to unpack issues, share experiences and best practices:
 
Strategies, opportunities and innovation for advancing and sustaining financial inclusion
  • Financial inclusion critical to stimulate job creation and reduce unemployment
  • Barriers and access by SMEs to financial in South Africa
  • Unbanked population market opportunities
  • Local perception of banking and fees
  • Mobile and internet banking vs stokvels
  • Microfinance and microinsurance
  • Finance strategies for SMEs development
  • New roles and disruptive business models for financial inclusion
  • New financial technologies as new business models
  • Advancing digital technologies and mobile telephony
  • Measuring financial inclusion, progress and sustainability
  • Partnerships role – government, private, public and informal
  • Improving economic development, reducing inequality and inclusive growth
(FinMark Trust and International Finance Corporation)

Balancing responsible financial inclusion, policies and strategies - protecting vulnerable consumer, providing incentives and ensuring a conducive environment (National Treasury)

Gaining access to stokvel funds - partnership with banks and retailers, challenges and opportunities (National Stokvel Association of South Africa)

Getting more people into the formal system – positioning, creating solutions and meeting the needs of the unbanked (FNB)

Innovative and viable solutions for bottom of pyramid (MobiLife)

Funeral industry as driving force for SMME development, transformation and financial inclusion (Old Mutual Foundation)

Pragmatic regulatory, governance and client-centric strategy for micro finance providers (MicroFinance and Positive Planet)

Future-proofing the payments infrastructure in SA to serve the unbanked communities, respond to consumer demands and encourage fintech innovation (BankservAfrica)

Strategies & lessons from Africa – mobile banking solutions 
  • Collaboration, case studies & best practices on mobile money, e-wallet and customising products for lower income segments at much lower costs (BSG and Wizzit International)

Key to greater and wider financial inclusion – banking the underserved and SMMEs (Postbank and TymeDigital by CommonwealthBank SA)

Developing alternative, low-cost, innovative, flexible and affordable financial and investment solutions for different market segments (Hollard Life and SV Capital)

Promoting access to affordable housing and housing finance for the underserved markets (Centre for Affordable Housing Finance in Africa)

Business of FinTech – revolutionary approach to promote financial inclusion (Bizcash, StokFella and Paycorp)



 

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

Key stakeholders, industry specialists, practitioners, professionals and executives involved in financial inclusion, financial products innovation, SMEs finance, microfinance, microinsurance, mobile banking, housing loans, funeral services, transformation from the following:
  • Banking & finance 
  • Insurance
  • Development financial institutions
  • Telecommunications
  • Microfinance institutions
  • FinTech
  • Retail
  • FMCG
Others also include
  • Regulator/Government/Policymakers
  • Digital technology/solution providers
  • NGOs, Academia, Research
  • Donors, Foundations, Investors

SPEAKERS

Speakers confirmed to date:
  • Jurie Schoeman, Chief Executive Officer, BSG
  • Chris Hamilton, Chief Executive Officer, BankservAfrica 
  • Elton Bondi, Director, Bizcash 
  • Kecia Rust, Executive Director & Founder, Centre for Affordable Housing Finance in Africa (CAHF)
  • Dr Christoph Nieuwoudt, Chief Executive Officer – Consumer Segment, FNB
  • Brendan Pearce, Chief Executive Officer, FinMark Trust
  • Mark Robertson, Strategy Manager, Hollard Insurance Group
  • Riadh Naouar, Head of Financial Institutions Group Advisory Services, International Finance Corporation
  • Amrei Botha, Senior SME Banking Specialist, Financial Institutions Group, Africa, International Finance Corporation
  • Frank Schutte, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, MobiLife
  • Hennie Ferreira, Chief Executive Officer & Director, MicroFinance South Africa
  • Mizi Mtshali, Chief Executive Officer, National Stokvel Association of South Africa (NASASA)
  • Andrew Lukhele, Chairman, National Stokvel Association of South Africa (NASASA)
  • Roy Havemann, Chief Director: Financial Markets and Stability, National Treasury
  • Thembisa Mapukata, General Manager, Old Mutual Foundation Market
  • Gavin Reubenson, Group Chief Information Officer, Paycorp Holdings
  • Frances Fraser, Chief Operating Officer, Positive Planet 
  • Shaheen Adam, Acting Managing Director, Postbank
  • Ayanda Masuku, Co-Founder and Director, SV Capital
  • Tshepo Moloi, Chief Executive Officer, StokFella 
  • Tauriq Keraan, Head: Strategy Management Office, TymeDigital by CommonwealthBank SA
  • Brian Richardson, Chief Executive Officer & Founder, WIZZIT International
More speakers will be announced.

Event will be moderated by Michael Avery, Anchor, Classic Business, Classic FM

DIRECTIONS

Mail & Guardian Financial Inclusion - Advancing in a digital economy
Glenhove Conference Centre
52 Glenhove Rd, Johannesburg, 2196, South Africa
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