Partners

AFI is a global network of policymakers in developing countries that provides its members with the tools and resources to share, develop, and implement their knowledge of cutting-edge financial inclusion policies that work. AFI has partnered with PFIP and the South Pacific Central Bank Governors’ Meeting to facilitate a working group of six Pacific central banks tasked with creating and implementing policies and regulations that increase financial inclusion in their respective countries.

IMF/PFTAC was established in Fiji in 1993 to provide technical advice and capacity building to fifteen Pacific island countries. The Centre is operated by the IMF in consultation with the governments of the countries and the donors supporting it. The ultimate objective of PFTAC is to assist the Pacific island countries in their efforts to achieve their long-term development goals. PFTAC has partnered with PFIP to develop the Money Pacific Group, an umbrella advocacy network of central banks, donors and others working together to promote financial competency throughout the Pacific.

In 2008, Pacific Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors and donor partners authored the Coombs Declaration, which recognizes that by lifting the financial capability in the region, economic performance would be improved and there would be substantial social and financial benefits for individuals and families. A Working Party was formed under the auspices of IMF/PFTAC that would address the issue of financial capability across Pacific communities while ensuring that ownership remained firmly with each country. In 2009, the Working Party rebranded itself to the Money Pacific Working Group to facilitate its advocacy role. A set of four regional goals were also developed to guide national level actions and to monitor progress. These goals were endorsed by the Forum Economic Ministers' Meeting (FEMM) and South Pacific Central Bank Governors in 2009. The Money Pacific Group reports annually to FEMM. The Group is currently comprised of central banks from Solomon Islands, Tonga and New Zealand, Young Enterprise Trust of New Zealand, Coombs Institute, New Zealand Ministry of Pacific Islands Affairs, NZAid and PFIP.   www.moneypacific.org

The Microfinance Pasifika Network is an alliance of institutions committed to supporting disadvantaged people in the Pacific to improve their quality of life through the provision of inclusive and sustainable financial services such as savings, credit, remittances and payment services and insurance. The Network was formally launched in 2006 in Port Vila, Vanuatu following over a year of consultation led by the Australian-based Foundation for Development Cooperation. PFIP provides financial support to the Network with which it shares information with stakeholders, manages the biannual Pacific Microfinance Week, and acts as PFIP’s link to Pacific microfinance stakeholders.

The Donors Group consists of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), AusAID, International Finance Corporation (IFC), NZAID and PFIP, but is open to other donors who are active in supporting access to finance in the Pacific. This group meets regularly to coordinate efforts, exchange information, and develop joint strategies to further their mutual vision “to optimize collaboration amongst donor partners in the Pacific with a view to expanding access to financial services to an additional two million Pacific Islanders by 2012 in an effective, efficient and sustainable manner.” The broad goals of donor support for financial inclusion are to support: a policy and regulatory environment that allows institutions offering financial services to the poor to enter the market and grow; financial service providers and systems that have the capacity to provide sustainable financial services to the poor; innovative models of financial service provision that are used effectively to extend outreach to under-served regions and groups; products that are appropriate and affordable for low income and rural clients; and increased capacity of clients to understand and utilise financial services effectively.  

CGAP is an independent policy and research center dedicated to advancing financial access for the world's poor. It is supported by over 30 development agencies and private foundations who share a common mission to alleviate poverty. Housed at the World Bank, CGAP provides market intelligence, promotes standards, develops innovative solutions and offers advisory services to governments, microfinance providers, donors, and investors. All of PFIP’’s funders are CGAP members and PFIP works closely with CGAP to provide technical assistance and advice on branchless banking and policy and regulatory issues to promote financial inclusion.

The GSMA Development Fund has initiated the Mobile Money for the Unbanked (MMU) programme to accelerate the availability of mobile money services to the unbanked and those living on less than US$2 per day. A series of MMU Working Groups have been created to stimulate discussion and knowledge sharing around mobile money issues. PFIP and several of its partners participate in the MMU working group and the GSMA Development Fund has co-funded one of PFIP’s partners.

Housed at the International Labour Organization's Social Finance Programme, the Microinsurance Innovation Facility seeks to increase the availability of quality insurance for the developing world’s low-income families to help them guard against risk and overcome poverty. The Facility was launched in 2008 with the support of a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The facility is providing three Microinsurance “Fellows” to work in the Pacific. These Fellowships enable global insurance professionals to gain an in-depth experience in microinsurance by working onsite on a microinsurance programme for 12 months under the guidance of a mentor.