CBN, Bill Gates parley on financial inclusion

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) have held strategic discussions on how to deepen collaboration on financial inclusion in Nigeria.

Speaking during the meeting on Thursday, June 22, 2023, the Acting CBN Governor, Folashodun Shonubi, reiterated the commitment of the apex bank to continually partner with BMGF and other development partners to explore innovative solutions for driving access to finance.

Shonubi, who was accompanied by the Deputy Governor, Financial System Stability (FSS), Aishah Ahmad, said though much progress had been made in various aspects of financial inclusion, some challenges still remained in attaining the desired level of financial inclusion in Nigeria.

He, however, called for greater partnership between the CBN and the BMGF.

On his part, the co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Bill Gates, highlighted the foundation’s focus areas for continued engagement in Nigeria to include health, agriculture, and financial services.

Gates expressed satisfaction that support from his organisation was catalysing developmental action in Nigeria.

While noting that there were still challenges and gaps, he expressed optimism that the country would witness better outcomes given the new economic and monetary policies currently in place in Nigeria.

The Star