Scale-Up Your Impact | How MFIs Can Navigate & Thrive in the Age of Fintech Revolution

Some of the biggest challenges MFIs struggle to overcome today are high operating costs, scalability and low earnings. And it is widely believed today that the provision of financial technology (fintech) innovations is expected to help MFIs reduce their costs, increase operational efficiency and remain competitive in the rapidly changing financial landscape. Additionally, new players like fintech-based lenders and mobile network operators are entering the microfinance industry and targeting the unbanked and the financially excluded segments. How successfully MFIs respond to this dynamic and competitive environment will also determine which actors will survive (remain more relevant) within the financial inclusion industry in the near future.

What’s more, investment in the fintech industry has globally raced ahead to the levels unseen before. In 2018, global investment in fintech companies hit a record high 111.8 billion USD. Fintech investments in Asia increased from $12 billion* in 2017 to $22.7 billion in 2018, dominated by Ant Financial’s record-setting deal ($14 billion). Even though the investments slowed significantly in the second half of the year, it is highly expected that fintech investments will remain strong in Asia and play a crucial role in shaping the dynamics of the financial inclusion industry.**

The 2nd Annual Asia Pacific Microfinance Forum will shed light on how the pioneering microfinance sector players (MFIs, social impact investors, banks, international finance organizations, among many others) evaluate the potential uses, critical success factors as well as implementation challenges of the recent fintech developments in the financial inclusion sector. It will be an invaluable opportunity for sector players to meet their potential/existing business partners and help shape the future of microfinancing in the Asia Pacific region.

*All figures are in US dollars
** KPMG, Global Fintech Investments, 2018

“Extremely professional arrangements and organization. Really appreciated the experience.”
— Amret Microfinance Institute, Chief Financial Officer, Cambodia
“It is a very good chance for meeting with creditors, MFIs, and technological solution suppliers.”
— Sathapana Limited, Chief Operating Officer, Myanmar
“Great conference and thanks for having me.”
— Senior Investment Specialist, Asian Development Bank, Philippines
“Topics are very relevant and interesting.”
— Project Development Officer, Agricultural Credit Policy Council, Philippines
“Apart from the fact that it’s a well-organized and professional organization, what I enjoyed is the people that attend this event from a broad background of microfinance practitioners, providers of technology and other services to the industry.”
— Founding and Managing Partner, Goodwell Investments, the Netherlands
“I met many investors from different countries. It was a great experience because I had a chance to develop contact with them.”
— CEO, Vijaya Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Ltd., Nepal
“The themes are always very well chosen so it is forward-looking. It is always something new to learn for us besides getting to know new players.”
— Senior Fund Manager, C-QUADRAT Asset Management GmbH, Austria

• Learn how to overcome your operational challenges and grow your business to achieve deeper social & economic impact in the industry
• Meet the like-minded experts, global innovators and market-leading companies shaping the future of microfinance industry
• Unlock unparalleled opportunities for your business
• Connect with the decision makers, investors, and senior-level executives
• Gain the key insights into how to adapt to the most dynamic microfinancing environment
• Help shape future trends in the financial inclusion industry