Justicia Shipena
Preparations are at an advanced stage for the 2025 Global Policy Forum (GPF), which Namibia will host for the first time.
The Bank of Namibia (BoN)’s acting director for strategic communications and international relations, Naufiku Hamunime, said the event theme and host location have been finalised.
BoN and the Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI) will hold the event in Swakopmund from 2 to 5 September 2025.
Hamunime said coordination with ministries and stakeholders is ongoing to ensure a secure and smooth experience for all delegates.
The forum, held under the theme “Empowering Society, Enabling Growth”, is expected to bring together over 700 delegates from more than 90 countries.
These include central bank governors, finance ministers, global development institutions, and private sector leaders.
BoN governor Johannes !Gawaxab said the event gives Namibia a chance to showcase its progress in financial inclusion and reaffirm its commitment to inclusive finance.
“Namibia is poised to welcome the world. As a nation deeply invested in the ideals of inclusive finance and transformative development, we are honoured to host a forum of this calibre,” he said.
The GPF is recognised as a global platform where policymakers, regulators, and thought leaders in developing and emerging economies discuss ways to advance financial inclusion.
The event will feature policy discussions, side events, and high-level panels.
Topics include gender-inclusive finance, green finance, MSME development, digital transformation, and consumer empowerment.
The Forum will also explore climate-resilient finance, digital public infrastructure, and financing for MSMEs.
Keynote speeches will be delivered by leaders in the global financial sector.
BoN said it appreciates the support from public and private partners helping organise the forum.
These include the Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority, Standard Bank Namibia, Nedbank Namibia, Social Security Commission, Namibia Airports Company, Financial Intelligence Centre, Ninety-One Asset Management, 20-Twenty Financial Solutions, Bellatrix SME Finance, Capricorn Group, Agribank of Namibia, Mobile Telecommunications Company, and the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board.
The bank expects more sponsors to come on board and encourages the public to follow updates and support what it calls a significant national achievement.
