CBN, Bill Gates partner to enhance financial inclusion in Nigeria

The Central Bank of Nigeria and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation have finalised plans to drive financial inclusion in the country.

According to a statement from the apex bank, the two groups recently held a strategic meeting on how to deepen collaboration on financial inclusion in Nigeria.

During the meeting, the CBN’s Acting Governor, Mr Folashodun Shonubi, reiterated the commitment of the apex bank to continually partner with BMGF and other development partners to explore innovative solutions for driving access to finance.

The acting CBN governor also noted that the move for financial inclusion in Nigeria faced a number of challenges.

The statement read in part, “Mr Shonubi, who was accompanied by the Deputy Governor, Financial System Stability, Mrs Aishah Ahmad, disclosed that though much progress had been made in various aspects of financial inclusion, some challenges still remained in attaining the desired level of financial inclusion in Nigeria. He, therefore, called for greater partnership between the Bank and the BMGF.”

In his remarks, the Co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Mr Bill Gates, stated that the foundation’s focus areas for continued engagement in Nigeria included health, agriculture and financial services.

The statement added, “Mr Gates expressed satisfaction that support from his organisation was catalysing developmental action in Nigeria.”

While nothing that there were still challenges and gaps, he expressed optimism that the country would witness better outcomes given the new economic and monetary policies currently in place in Nigeria.

PR/Punch/Hauwa Abu