Monday, March 9

Pre-Conference Events

Regional Network Summit

All Day  

Peer Exchanges

Passion for Savings: The Story of a Peri-Urban Group

Stokvels: Savings Groups in Peri-Urban South Africa

Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLA) 101: An Overview 

What Can the WeSave App Do for Savings Groups?

How Can Savings Groups Be More Inclusive? 

3:00 PM – 6:00 PM 

Early Registration

Tuesday, March 10

Day 1

7:30 AM – 8:45 AM

Registration

9:00 AM – 9:30 AM

Opening
Featuring Alex Sardar, The SEEP Network & Brendan Pearce, FinMark Trust

9:30 AM – 10:30 AM

Keynote 
Featuring Julia Sánchez, ActionAid

10:30 AM – 11:15 AM

Networking Break

11:15 AM – 12:45 PM

Peer Learning Sessions

Understanding Longevity of Savings Groups for HIV-Affected Populations and Beyond | Great Ilanga *Simultaneous English to French Translation 

Financial Inclusion for the Most Marginalized: What Does It Look Like?  
Suites 1&2 *Simultaneous English to French Translation 

Savings Groups, Innovation and Youth in South Africa and Zambia 
Suite 5

Savings Groups and Women’s Economic Empowerment in Post-Conflict Settings | Suites 3&4

Digital Savings Groups: Cheaper, Faster, Better…But at What Cost? 
North & East Ilanga 

Beyond Savings: Designing Relevant, Responsive, Accessible Technology
North & East Ilanga

12:45 PM – 2:15 PM

Lunch

2:15 PM – 3:45 PM

Peer Learning Sessions

Savings and Other Surprises: Lessons from Across Africa 
North & East Ilanga

Financial Exclusion: By Choice, Design or Default?
Suites 1&2 *Simultaneous English to French Translation

Exploring Evidence and Innovation for Adolescent Savings & Entrepreneurship
Great Ilanga *Simultaneous English to French Translation

SG-Plus: Moving Basic Savings Groups to the Next Level
Suite 5

Digital Savings Groups: Lessons from FinTechs, MNOs, FSPs, and NGOs
Suites 3&4

3:45 PM – 4:30 PM

Networking Break

4:30 PM – 6:00 PM

 Plenary:
 Savings Groups, Social Protection, and the Role of the Government  *Simultaneous English to French Translation  

6:15 PM – 8:15 PM

Welcome Reception

Wednesday, March 11

Day 2

8:00 AM – 8:45 AM

Registration

9:00 AM – 10:30 AM

10:30 AM – 11:15 AM

Networking Break

10:30 AM – 4:30 PM 

Technology Fair

11:15 AM – 12:45 PM

Peer Learning Sessions

Giving Them A Nudge: Helping People Make Better Decisions
Suites 1&2 *Simultaneous English to French Translation

Male Engagement: Is It Critical for Women’s Economic Empowerment?
Suites 3&4

Are We There Yet? Provider-led Approaches to Sustainable and Scalable Digital Solutions for Savings Groups | Great Ilanga *Simultaneous English to French Translation

12:45 PM – 2:15 PM

Lunch

2:15 PM – 3:45 PM

Peer Learning Sessions

Bridging the Religious Divide: Sharia-compliant Savings Groups for Muslim Populations | Suites 1&2 *Simultaneous English to French Translation

Savings Groups to Protect Children & Break the Poverty Cycle
Great Ilanga *Simultaneous English to French Translation

How to Measure Costs and Cost-effectiveness of Women’s Groups
Suites 3&4

3:45 PM – 4:30 PM

Networking Break

4:30 PM – 6:00 PM

Plenary:
Grassroots Climate Activism: What Does It Have to Do with Savings Groups? 
Featuring Oladosu Adenike, Youth Climate Activist (Nigeria) & Ayakha Melithafa, Youth Climate Activist (South Africa)

Thursday, March 12

 Day 3

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM

Registration

9:00 AM – 10:30 AM

Peer Learning Sessions

Refugees Can't Join Savings Groups...or Can They?
North & East Ilanga

How Can Financial Service Providers Effectively Reach the Youth Market?
Suites 1&2 *Simultaneous English to French Translation

Are Savings Group Members Empowered? Measuring and Evaluating Outcomes for Women | Great Ilanga *Simultaneous English to French Translation

Can Financial Service Providers Do Well by Serving Informal Groups and Savers? | Suites 3&4

10:30 AM – 11:00 AM

Networking Break

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Innovation Challenge

12:00 PM – 12:30 PM 

Closing Reflections

12:30 PM – 2:00 PM

Lunch

2:00 PM – 3:30 PM

The Future of the Savings-Led Working Group