CBN targets 95 per cent financial inclusion by 2024
THE Central Bank of Nigeria ( CBN) has unveiled seven key policies and products that will aid the realisation of 95 per cent financial inclusion in Nigeria by 2024.
The policies include, the revised National Financial Inclusion Strategy ( 3.0), the Strategy for Leveraging Agent Networks for Women’s Financial Inclusion, the National Fintech Strategy, the Payment System Vision ( PSV) 2025, the Nigeria Financial Services Maps, the CBN Regulatory Sandbox and a Fintech Bridge between the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Central Bank of Egypt.
According to the statement made available to The Guardian, the 2022 International Financial Inclusion Conference organized by the CBN and its partners within the financial inclusion governance committees themed: “Financial Inclusion for all: Scaling Innovative Digital Models” had in attendance over 5000 participants from at least 78 countries around the world.
The Deputy Governor, Financial System Stability, CBN, Mrs. Aishah Ahmad, observed that the conference came at a critical time in Nigeria’s financial inclusion journey and stressed the role of policymaking in advancing financial inclusion in Nigeria.
She said, "Nigeria is indeed at an important tipping point for financial inclusion. At no time has there been a prevalence of an enabling regulatory environment, proliferation of digital technology, innovation and collaborative platforms between the public and private sector – all strategic levers required to scale financial inclusion in Nigeria.”
In her remarks, the United Nations Secretary- General Special Advocate ( UNSGSA) on Inclusive Finance, Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, highlighted the role to be played by the new National Financial Inclusion Strategy in providing a genuine chance for improving livelihoods, such as strategies leveraging the National Insurance Number, Bank Verification Number amongst other policies.