Sri Lanka Advances National Financial Inclusion Strategy with AFI Support 📈

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) hosted Dr. Alfred Hannig, CEO of the Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI), on February 19, 2026, to evaluate and accelerate the nation’s inclusive finance roadmap. • Strategic Progress: AFI commended the progress of the National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS), highlighting the successful active engagement of CBSL within the global AFI network since 2010. • Key Initiatives: Discussions centered on the In-Country Implementation (ICI) project, which includes: - End-of-term evaluation of NFIS Phase I. - A nationally representative Financial Inclusion Survey. - Formulation of the upcoming NFIS Phase II. • Sector Focus: Technical exchanges prioritized SME financing, digital payments, consumer protection, and financial literacy to translate policy into measurable economic impact. • Resilience & Stability: High-level dialogues emphasized that inclusive and sustainable finance are critical for safeguarding Sri Lanka's macroeconomic stability and fostering long-term growth.