The world is going global radically, and the financial sector is no exception. Over the last couple of years, digital finance is getting popularity and has potential for the future. Many digital concepts are there in the market, and many communities cater to professionals’ best possible service to the digital financial world.
The Alliance of Digital Finance Associations aspires to uphold the Digital Finance Profession globally by exchanging knowledge, networking and collaborating. It will be a professional voice on issues affecting the digital finance industry. It will aid in adopting digital financial services, financial inclusion, and social and economic transformation.
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Alliance of DFA Cape town Conference 2022
The Alliance had 11 founding members during its official launch in September 2021. 10 country-based Digital Finance Associations, and 1 as an honorary member, Digital Frontiers Institute.
These ten are legal entities in their country with professionals from across the digital finance ecosystem, including banks, mobile money operators, payment service providers, central banks, regulators, fintech, microfinance, and development partners. They are actively supportive locally through advocacy, webinars, training, research, and recommendations.
The Alliance is expected to build credibility and exposure globally and strengthen by providing resources, building capacity, and identifying sustainable business models. It will bring together country-based associations working in digital finance, security, money laundering, and financial inclusion. The Alliance will provide a point of contact for all in-country digital finance associations to enjoy opportunities and foster collaborations.
Thus, global networking, collaboration, innovation, increased digital financial services uptake, and greater financial inclusion.
Development of in-country digital finance associations
DFI’s Communities of Practice (COPs) paved the way for forming country-based digital finance associations. Digital finance professionals in Africa and Asia add value from networking, sharing experiences, and learning. The 10 COPs (Bangladesh, Benin, Ghana, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, Sudan, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe) have formed. More COPs to form in Cote d’Ivoire, Kenya, Malawi, Pakistan, Rwanda, and Tanzania are in the queue to take the membership total to sixteen.
DFI as an honorary member
DFI will be providing education, training, and professional development for the digital finance profession. The Alliance will help collaborate and promote standard best practices in the digital finance field.
The idea for the Alliance
20 representatives from associations/COPs came up with plans and ambitions for a global body for learning and collaboration in March 2020. DFI’s community manager with 06 country associations worked directly to take the idea to reality. The Alliance was funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and DFI Board approved this global platform for learning and development.
Purposes
- Awareness of digital finance
- Ecosystem building and interoperability
- Growth of finance sector
- Regulation: enabling and harmonisation
- Collaboration, partnership and network
- Capacity building and peer learning
- Social and economic transformation
- Product innovation
- Topical themes: e.g. consumer protection, data privacy nd data collection
- Voice of digital finance professionals
- Advocacy
- Financial and digital literacy
- Women’s economic empowerment and inclusion
- Financial inclusion and deepening
- Promotion of digital finance
- Enablement and empowerment of digital finance practitioners
ACTIVITIES
Develop in-country Digital Finance Professional Associations
- Developing country-based Communities and Associations
- Identifying opportunities through partnerships and collaborations
- Fostering cross-border knowledge sharing
- Building a global voice in the digital finance industry
- Acting as the hub for the professionals in the digital finance ecosystem
- Encouraging digital finance diversity, and accessibility
Members present at the conference:
DFA members present at the conference:
- Digital Finance Forum Bangladesh, represented by Md Rashed, Sadat Mainuddin, and Tohurul Hasan
- Association Des Professionnels De La Finance Digitale / Dfi-Benin, represented by Giresse Avokandoto
- Association of Ethiopian Digital Finance Practitioners, represented by Yoseph Kebede
- Digital Finance Practitioners Ghana, represented by Kojo Dougan
- Fintech.Mz – Mozambique Fintech Association, represented by Joao Gaspar
- Digital Finance Association Pakistan, represented by Zeeshan Aziz
- Fintech Alliance Philippines represented by Lito Villanueva
- Association Digital Frontiers Senegal (ADF-SN), represented by Amadou Sow
- Association of Digital Finance Practitioners Tanzania represented by Eric Luyangi
- Digital Frontiers Association Uganda (DFA), represented by Diana Akullu
- Association Digital Finance Practitioners Zambia (ADFP), represented by Talitha Bulaya
- Digital Finance Practitioners Association of Zimbabwe (DFPAZ), represented by Gerald Nyakwawa
Associations in the formation were supported by the Alliance who were present:
- Association des Professionals de la Finance Digitale en Afrique Centrale, represented by Gisele Yitamben
- Fintech Association of South Africa, represented by Kagisho Dichabe and Andres Peres
- Digitale Finance Association Côte D’Ivoire, represented by Fabrice Behibro
- Digital Finance Practitioners Association of Kenya, represented by Victor Malu
- DFS Malawi, represented by Chikhu Mphatso
- Digital Frontiers Association of Togo (DFAT), represented by Eloi Gome
Digital Frontiers Team represented by: Gavin Krugel, David Porteous, Debra Ogilve, Iesrafeel Jakoet, and Xanske Le Roux.
Participants from Bangladesh
Mohammad Rashed, CDFP
Mohammad Rashed is the pioneer in digital finance literacy in Bangladesh. He is the first in Bangladesh and South Asia to complete the Certified Digital Finance Practitioner (CDFP) program. He has around 17 years of experience as a central Banker in Bangladesh with areas of specialization and interest in Digital Finance, FinTech, Financial Inclusion, AML/CFT regulation, and compliance. Now, he is serving Bangladesh Bank as an Additional Director. He is a Steering Committee Member at the Alliance of Digital Finance Associations.
class=”wp-block-heading”>Sadat Mainuddin, CDFP
Sadat Mainuddin has more than 17 years of job experience in four of the leading corporate house of the country – Nagad Ltd, The City Bank Limited, bKash Limited, and Grameenphone with expertise in DFS Sales, Distribution, Channel Management, Merchant Business, and Service.
In the City Bank Limited (CBL), as Senior Assistant Vice President – Channel Development, my primary responsibility is the onboarding and management of agents and merchants, managing their ROI, planning and implementing agent and merchant development initiatives, developing and management of Agent Banking system (ABS), product innovation and development related activities, etc.
He is a founding member and Treasurer of Digital Finance Forum Bangladesh – an association of Digital Finance, FinTech, and Inclusion professionals in Bangladesh.
Experience Experience
- Head of Offline Payment, Feb 2022 – Present · 4 mos Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Senior Assistant Vice President City Bank Aug 2019 – Apr 2022 · 2 yrs 9 mos Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Assistant Manager-Deputy General Manager, bKash Care Apr 2013 – Aug 2019 · 6 yrs 5 mos Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Grameenphone Ltd Officer-Senior Executive 6 yrs 2 mos Dhaka, Bangladesh
Tohurul Hasan
Mr. Md. Tohurul Hasan is Digital Financial Service Specialist, currently working as Programme Manager of Access to Information (a2i) under the ICT Division, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.
He coordinates the Digital Financial Services Lab, including citizen-centered financial products and service innovation, payment digitization, rural e-commerce, and facilitating necessary policy and regulatory reforms.
He is implementing a team for different Digital Financial Service initiatives like G2P digital payment, digitization of P2B and P2G payment, and the implementation of countrywide Agent Banking. Moreover, he contributes to many policy discussions and other DFS-related issues like Agent Banking Guidelines, e-KYC, Bangladesh National Financial Inclusion Strategy, Financial Literacy, and other fintech and financial inclusion issues. He has a close relationship with the Central Bank, Ministry of Finance, Public and Private Sector financial service providers, and other relevant government and non-governmental organizations.
ExperienceExperience
- a2i 7 yrs
- Digital Financial Service Specialist Feb 2022 – Present 4 mos
- Program Manager Jan 2019 – Jan 2022 · 3 yrs 1 mo
- Program Coordinator, Digital Financial Inclusion Jun 2015 – Dec 2018 · 3 yrs 7 mos Dhaka, Bangladesh
Achievements for Bangladesh
Attending any international conference requires effort, time, and funds but provides some unique and impactful outcomes. Joining the DFA Cape town Conference 2022 brought many multifactorial achievements for Bangladeshi participants and Bangladesh. Let’s explore how the conference may benefit Bangladesh from now onwards:
Scholarship from B&M Gates Foundation
Joining the conference was an initiative to continue and extend the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation scholarship for govt officials in Bangladesh to complete DFI courses. The opportunities for scholarships and awards can further enhance the career of officials in the fintech field. More than 119 CDFPs have already completed the course with fully-funded scholarships and many are very close to completion. Around 500 have started to pursue the program. This program is a great milestone to prepare digital-focused human resources for digital and smart Bangladesh.
Global Exposure
Attending the conference offers global exposure. Whether you are a business person seeking new customers or an academic looking to increase your research exposure, attending an international conference can benefit you. By networking with other attendees, you can build relationships that could lead to future business opportunities or collaborations. Additionally, conferences provide a unique opportunity to learn about new technologies, industries, and trends, business practices worldwide that could benefit their businesses. Three participants from Bangladesh have been a great aspect to attending and earning global exposure in the digital finance ecosystem worldwide.
The Conference has provided global exposure to digital space. The Conference has brought together delegates from all over the world to share their knowledge and experience on digital media. The conference had a global presence with representatives from over 20 countries in attendance. The conference provided a forum for sharing best practices and experiences in digital preservation, as well as the latest research and developments in the field.
class=”wp-block-heading”>Leadership and pioneering
Digital finance is a rapidly-growing field that offers opportunities for individuals and organizations to gain an edge in the competitive marketplace. Attending the alliance of DFA Cape Town conference offers leaders in digital finance an excellent opportunity to network, learn from one another, and advance their careers. The alliance comprises the top financial institutions, technology companies, and associations dedicated to developing innovative solutions for the finance sector. The Conference offers a variety of sessions that will provide attendees with the information they need to stay ahead of the curve in this rapidly evolving field.
The Conference provides attendees with the latest information on innovations and changes in the industry and guidance on navigating these changes. Participants can expect to understand how existing and new technologies impact digital finance and gain insights into regulatory developments. By attending this event, leaders in the field will be able to develop strategies for growth and success. The conferences provide expert presentations and networking opportunities with leaders in the industry.
Additionally, many conferences offer leadership development workshops or seminars. By attending one or more of these sessions, you can further develop your leadership abilities and skills.
All the attendees are leaders in the digital finance ecosystem in Bangladesh. Mr. Rashed has contributed already greatly with his leadership in the digital finance literacy program.
Digital space has been expanding and changing at an astonishing pace. It is now a crucial domain that needs global leadership to address some of the most pressing issues. This is why the Conference provided global leadership opportunities for Bangladesh in the digital space. With this event, Bangladeshi representatives are able to share their insights and experiences with other delegates from all around the world.
Steering Committee
Attending the Conference offers leadership opportunities for the steering committee. As a steering committee member, Mr. Rashed attended the Conference.
Another crucial issue is the inclusion of the Association of DFA on the board members from Bangladesh. For nominations and selection, it was fruitful to attend the Conference. Thanks to Mr. Rashed, his relentless effort has successfully paved the way for selecting a board member from Bangladesh. It is a matter of hope, pride, inspiration, and success.
Md Ashraful Alam – Advisor to Digital Finance Forum Bangladesh and Director at Bangladesh Bank has been selected to represent the board as a board member.
Use Cases
Attending the alliance of DFA conference offers an opportunity to learn about the use cases of different countries. This conference allows attendees to hear from experts and discuss topics such as trade, investment, and immigration. By learning about the different use cases, attendees can better understand how each country operates and can make more informed decisions when interacting with that country.
The conference will provide attendees with an overview of different countries’ histories, economies, cultures, and political systems. Bangladesh can benefit greatly from the use cases in making informed decisions.
Global Network, Collaboration
Attending any international conference like DFA Cape town Conference offers Global Network, Collaboration. By attending an international conference, delegates can access global resources and networks. International conferences provide a unique opportunity to meet new people and build relationships that will last long after the event has ended. By attending the DFA conference, participants can build a professional relationships with regulators and practitioners.
The Alliance of DFA Conference 2022 is an international conference that helped Bangladesh create a network with digital finance practitioners. The conference provided participants with the opportunity to learn about the latest trends in digital finance and how to apply them to their businesses. It also provided participants with the opportunity to network with other digital finance practitioners from around the world.
Aligning Digital Bangladesh Vision
Digital Bangladesh Vision is a strategy document of the Government of Bangladesh to build an inclusive digital society. The vision is to create a digitally empowered nation where everyone has access to quality education, information, and opportunities. It tries to make Bangladesh a global leader in digital innovation and growth. The alliance of the DFA conference offers attendees an opportunity to align with the Digital Bangladesh Vision and learn about how they can work together to achieve the vision.
It offers attendees a chance to learn about the latest trends in digital technology and network with other like-minded individuals. By attending this conference, attendees will better understand the Digital Bangladesh Vision and how it can benefit their organization.
The conference will provide participants with the opportunity to discuss current issues and challenges as well as explore potential solutions. The Alliance of DFA Conference 2022 is an alignment of digital Bangladesh’s vision to help accelerate socio-economic transformation in the country. This conference will focus on how technology can be used to improve governance, economic growth, and social well-being.
This conference will bring together digital Bangladesh visionaries from different sectors to share their experiences, challenges, and solutions. The conference is an opportunity for DFA to connect with the digital community and build partnerships that will help advance digital Bangladesh.
New Skills
Participants can develop new ideas and improve their work skills by collaborating with other delegates at any international conference. Lessons from the DFA conference are expected to add some skills for the attendees to formulate policies or implement them practically. Additionally, many conferences offer educational sessions to help participants develop new skills or learn more about specific topics.
Prestige
Attending the alliance DFA conference is a matter of prestige for the participants. Getting invitations and attending means a lot as participants require contributions and proven relevant skillsets to get invited.
Final Note
Alliance of DFA Cape town Conference 2022 brought about many impactful achievements for Bangladesh. It was a great event for Bangladesh in terms of knowledge, leadership, and digitization in the financial sector. Collaboration with many representatives from central bankers and corporate practitioners of many countries around the world.
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