• AFI’s Public-Private Dialogue (PPD) Platform will facilitate knowledge and expertise among private sector and a global network of 124 policymaking and regulatory institutions from 95 developing and emerging countries

• Recognizes the need for public-private partnership to promote smart financial inclusion policies and smart business practices to reach the financially excluded

• To tweet this news, copy and paste http://goo.gl/44BlTe to your Twitter handle with the hashtags #MasterCard and @NewsAFI and #FinancialInclusion

WASHINGTON, DC April 16, 2015 – Today, MasterCard and the Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI) signed a strategic partnership agreement that will enable a close collaboration within AFI’s Public-Private Dialogue Platform (PPD).

Launched in 2014, AFI’s Global PPD Platform incentivizes policymakers and regulators to cooperate with the private sector in designing smart policy solutions that encourage innovation and investment. MasterCard with over 500 programs in 50 countries that have already reached 150 million people previously excluded from financial services will bring unique knowledge, resources and technical expertise critical to addressing regulatory challenges around financial inclusion. As part of the agreement, MasterCard will provide:

• Contribution to technical capacity building for AFI members on emerging payments, risk management and technology innovations to support financial inclusion in multiple regions, including Asia Pacific, Latin America and Africa.
• Ongoing dialogue in developing national-level public-private engagement strategies to AFI Working Groups, including the Financial Inclusion Strategy Peer Learning Group (FISPLG) made up of 39 policymaking institutions.
• Public and customized research and best practices that helps to inform policy dialogue
• Exposure to innovative products, business models and approaches to ensure the long term sustainability of AFI’s PPD

“To have a true impact on financial inclusion, the public sector and the private sector must work together on behalf of the 2 billion who are currently excluded,” said Ajay Banga, CEO and president of MasterCard.  “This partnership will provide regulators in AFI’s network with unique knowledge, resources and technical expertise critical to addressing regulatory challenges around financial inclusion.”

Alfred Hannig, AFI’s Executive Director noted that this agreement is a promising partnership, “The PPD platform, with private sector partners, including MasterCard, builds upon AFI’s approach of bringing the knowledge and experience of financial inclusion leaders together for the benefit of all.  Regulators, who have publicly committed to drive financial inclusion under The Maya Declaration, are eager to better understand new business models, and technology innovations that support financial inclusion, while the private sector has shown interest in better understanding as well as addressing regulatory concerns.”

The Global PPD builds on successful public-private engagement efforts in AFI’s regional initiatives where AFI members together with the private sector have developed a joint vision for advancing financial inclusion policy at the regional level.

About the Alliance for Financial Inclusion

The Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI), www.afi-global.org, is a global peer-learning network of 124 policymaking and regulatory institutions from 95 developing and emerging countries working together to advance financial inclusion policy. AFI members represent over 85 percent of the more than two billion unbanked people, most of whom live in poverty. Follow us on: Twitter @NewsAFI and on AFI Blog http://blogs.afi-global.org.

About MasterCard

MasterCard (NYSE: MA), http://www.mastercard.com, is a technology company in the global payments industry. We operate the world’s fastest payments processing network, connecting consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. MasterCard’s products and solutions make everyday commerce activities – such as shopping, traveling, running a business and managing finances – easier, more secure and more efficient for everyone. Follow us on Twitter @MasterCardNews, join the discussion on the Cashless Pioneers Blog and subscribe for the latest news on the Engagement Bureau.

Media Contact:

Peter W Foster
+60 3 2776 9024
peter.foster@afi-global.org
Ryan Erenhouse
+1 914-249-3176
Ryan_Erenhouse@mastercard.com