Stakeholders at the RegTech Conference 2025 said leveraging digital infrastructure is essential to speeding up financial inclusion through a multi-stakeholder approach involving governments, fintech companies, telecom operators, regulators, and customers.

According to a World Bank report, 27 per cent of adults worldwide remain unbanked, while 50 per cent are underbanked, meaning they lack access to a credit card, according to Lucidity Insights.

Investing in awareness, robust digital identification systems, interoperable payment rails, and inclusive policy frameworks can help expand financial services access, especially in underserved areas, the stakeholders said.

The conference focused on strategies to facilitate cross-border payments and investment opportunities across Africa.

Chief Executive Officer of Shared Agent Network Expansion Facilities Limited, Uche Uzoebo, moderated a panel discussion titled ‘From Borders to Bridges: Leveraging Digital Infrastructure to Drive Financial Inclusion through a Multi-Stakeholder Approach.’

Uzoebo highlighted challenges women face in accessing financial services, including limited digital literacy and cultural barriers.

She encouraged discussion on targeted interventions to promote gender inclusivity and financial education programmes to empower users of digital financial services.

Head of Agency Banking, Ecobank Group, Jacqueline Mpare, said her organisation has launched a women-focused initiative that supports women-led businesses by providing access to finance and non-financial support.

Regional Advisor for Africa, Corum Group Limited, Isa Aliyushata stressed the importance of integrating financial literacy into education curricula to ensure people gain financial knowledge early.

Other panellists included Chief Partnership and Ecosystems Officer, Wema Bank, Ajibade Laolu-Adewale; Head of Digital Channels, MoneyMart Finance Limited, Zimbabwe, Gerald Munyaradzi Nyakwawa; Group Global Lead and Executive Chairman, Development Associates Link International, Dr Henry M Kisembo; and Chief Operations Officer, RSwitch Rwanda, Jean Jacques Kajuga.

The panel emphasised collaboration, legislative alignment, unified payment infrastructure, and cooperation between national and regional switchers to enable low-cost cross-border payments as vital for financial inclusion.

Shared Agent Network Expansion Facilities was named the 2025 Financial Literacy Champion at the RegTech Awards for its commitment to promoting financial literacy and inclusion across Nigeria.

SANEF has expanded its agent network nationwide and implemented educational programmes to equip millions of Nigerians with tools to make informed financial decisions.