NextBillion - An Initiative of the William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan

The Conference theme is: “Creating a unified foundation for the Sustainable Development: research, practice and education”.

This theme emphasizes the strong foundation that is provided by using research to inform our everyday practices, policies, and analytical approaches.

The 2017 Conference will once again provide a forum for the sharing of ideas, presentation of research findings, and discussion of professional issues relevant to Sustainability Science.

This ambition will proceed in a multidisciplinary way across the various fields and perspectives, through which we can address the fundamental and related questions of Sustainable Development. This interdisciplinary forum is for scholars, teachers, and practitioners from any professional discipline who share an interest in—and concern for— sustainability in an holistic perspective, where environmental, cultural, economic and social concerns intersect.

Turbulent times call for smart, decisive action. Some call it joining the resistance, we call it getting the job done, wherever it is. When committed women and girls gather with a common vision, the wheels of disruption are set in motion. #WomenFunded2017 is one of those spaces. Join us in this non-solicitation zone, a safe space for funders and leaders in the women’s movement to find common ground.

Knowledge is power. But it doesn’t have to be boring. Instead you will experience the knowledge, skills and resources offered in multiple ways. After two and a half days of interactive workshops, labs and plenaries on digital strategies, global/local advocacy, organizing and more, you’ll leave with the #powertools you’ll need take care of business when you get home.

If you care about equity, if you care about women and girls #WomenFunded2017 is for you. If you are ready to eradicate discrimination in all its forms, #WomenFunded2017 is for you. You’ll join more than 350 women leaders from women’s foundations and non-profits, along with corporate foundation leaders, senior business and tech execs and issue experts. This is our time to motivate and mobilize for the change we seek, to be the change.

East Africa’s innovation in financial services has changed the global inclusion landscape.

Looking to the future, technology providers, banks, telecom operators, fintechs and governments must continue to innovate to create financial products that the poor really need and trust at a price they can afford.

Far from being just an opportunity for corporate social responsibility initiatives, the quest for financial inclusion is, more than ever, a legitimate business opportunity for organisations across the finance, retail, technology and telecommunication industries.
The building blocks necessary for financial inclusion are present in East Africa where digital payments innovations are occurring as we speak. The use of digital payments amongst the poorest populations across East Africa has created the preconditions for new and innovative banking and commercial services to be extended.

Governments are waking up to the distributed wealth that financial inclusion can create and are putting wide-reaching financial inclusion roadmaps into action, which will transform accessibility. Governments are partnering more than ever with private sector organisations to harness their expertise and incentivise them to get their services in front of underbanked communities.

At the same time, fintech innovation is quickly evolving in response to the needs of the underbanked. Fintech innovators are well aware of the challenges and see the potential in pursuing financial inclusion.  Not only does it provide a size-able market opportunity, but it also comes with the promise of creating a positive impact on people’s lives.

This has created the opportunity for real ecosystems to be built, and for real roadmaps to be collaboratively laid out.
The Financial Inclusion Summit East Africa will bring together all of the stakeholders involved in financial inclusion to discuss critical challenges, opportunities, pilot programmes and future roadmaps.