Kathmandu - Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has officially assumed the leadership of the South Asia Region Financial Inclusion Initiative (SARFII), marking a significant step in promoting financial inclusion in the region. Governor Mahaprasad Adhikari of NRB was appointed as the new Chairman of SARFII during a leadership transition meeting.
The leadership handover took place at the 'Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI) - Global Policy Forum' held in San Salvador, El Salvador. The event, which gathered representatives from various central banks in the region, also hosted the 5th SARFII Leaders Roundtable, where Governor Adhikari formally accepted the chairmanship.
This leadership transition from the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to Nepal Rastra Bank highlights Nepal’s growing influence in regional financial inclusion efforts. Under Governor Adhikari's leadership, SARFII aims to enhance cooperation among the central banks of Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
Established during the 2022 Global Policy Forum in Jordan's Dead Sea region, SARFII focuses on fostering financial inclusion across South Asia through knowledge exchange, capacity building, and coordinated policy actions. The initiative addresses regional and global challenges, including climate change adaptation, digital financial services, and sustainable economic development.
Governor Adhikari emphasized the importance of SARFII’s role in promoting inclusive economic growth and sustainable development. “Nepal Rastra Bank is committed to working closely with all member countries to advance our shared goals of financial inclusion and economic resilience,” he stated during his acceptance speech.
As Nepal takes on this leadership role, SARFII is expected to drive significant progress in financial inclusion and collaboration across South Asia.
