IMF [to 21 March 2015]
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IMF Co-Hosts Conference on Financial Inclusion in Central Africa
Press Release No. 115
March 16, 2015
The Central Bank of Central African States and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will co-host a conference on March 23, 2015 in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, to examine the prospects and policy options for promoting financial inclusion in Central Africa.

The Conference Finance for All: Promoting Financial Inclusion in Central Africa will aim to discuss the impact of financial inclusion on growth and poverty reduction. Access to financial services can play a critical role in reducing inequality and supporting inclusive growth. However, only about half of the world’s population has access to financial services, and that access is unequally spread across regions, countries, income levels and gender. In most of Central Africa, access is comparatively low.

The event will bring together more than 200 participants from government, academia, civil society and banking. It will focus on the policy challenges facing the countries of the Economic Community of Central Africa States (ECCAS) as they seek to increasing access to financial services for all while managing policy challenges and supervisory risks…