Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Analyze the core components, rationale, and global models for developing a **National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS)**.
• Conduct a comprehensive diagnostic assessment of a country's financial inclusion landscape, identifying key barriers and gaps.
• Define measurable, time-bound **NFIS objectives and targets** using relevant indicators (e.g., access, usage, quality).
• Design effective multi-stakeholder **coordination and governance mechanisms** for NFIS implementation.
• Evaluate the role of various policy tools, including proportional regulation, infrastructure, and financial literacy, in achieving inclusion.
• Integrate crucial cross-cutting themes, such as gender, youth, and digital finance, into the NFIS design.
• Develop a robust **monitoring and evaluation (M&E)** framework to track NFIS progress and impact.
• Identify and mobilize necessary resources, including technical assistance and potential funding sources, for NFIS execution.

• Policy Makers and Advisors from Ministries of Finance and Planning
• Senior Officials from Central Banks and Financial Regulatory Bodies
• Financial Sector Development Specialists from International Organizations (e.g., World Bank, UN, regional bodies)
• Heads of National Financial Inclusion Secretariats/Units
• Economists and Researchers focused on Development Finance
• FinTech and MFS Regulator/Policy Leads
• Heads of Public Sector Banks and Development Finance Institutions (DFIs)

• Case Studies analyzing successful and challenged NFIS globally (e.g., Peru, Nigeria, India).
• Group Activities on conducting a mock Financial Inclusion Gap Analysis for a country.
• Discussions on balancing policy trade-offs (inclusion vs. integrity/stability).
• Individual Exercises in drafting NFIS targets and KPIs for specific product segments.
• Policy workshop simulation on achieving multi-stakeholder consensus.
• Peer review of draft NFIS governance structures.

Unit 1: The Rationale and Framework for NFIS

• The economic and social case for maximizing financial inclusion.
• Global commitment to inclusion: G20, Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI).
• Core elements of a successful, internationally recognized NFIS.
• Understanding the lifecycle of an NFIS: Design, Implementation, M&E, Review.

• Methodologies for conducting a **Financial Inclusion Demand-Side Survey**.
• Analyzing supply-side data: Mapping infrastructure and access points.
• Identifying the key barriers for specific segments (e.g., rural, women, MSMEs).
• Performing a **Gap Analysis** to determine policy priorities and missing services.

Unit 2: NFIS Design and Target Setting

• Developing a shared national vision for financial inclusion.
• Setting **SMART** (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) targets.
• Defining key performance indicators (KPIs) for access, usage, and quality.
• Aligning NFIS goals with broader national development objectives (e.g., SDGs).

• Prioritizing policy levers: Regulation, Infrastructure, Literacy, Consumer Protection.
• Designing a proportional regulatory environment for emerging providers (FinTech, MFS).
• Strategies for accelerating agent banking and digital infrastructure deployment.
• Focus on key product markets (savings, credit, insurance, payments).

Unit 3: Implementation, Governance, and Coordination

• Establishing the NFIS **Coordination Mechanism** (e.g., Steering Committee, Secretariat).
• Defining the roles and responsibilities of public, private, and non-profit stakeholders.
• Techniques for ensuring high-level political buy-in and sustainability.
• Developing an effective communication and advocacy strategy for the NFIS.

Unit 4: Cross-Cutting Themes and Policy Integration

• Designing **Gender-Inclusive Financial Regulation** and policy interventions.
• Integrating AML/CFT compliance while promoting the inclusion of the poor.
• Leveraging **Digital Financial Services (DFS)** as the primary inclusion tool.
• Strategies for financial education and capability within the NFIS framework.

Unit 5: Monitoring, Evaluation, and Review

• Developing a comprehensive **Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Framework**.
• Utilizing data sources (Findex, regulatory reports) for tracking indicators.
• Conducting mid-term and final reviews of the NFIS implementation.
• Lessons learned from successful and unsuccessful NFIS implementations globally.