CBE Financial Inclusion Awards Eswatini: First Globally to Win 3 AFI Honors

• The Central Bank of Eswatini (CBE) received international recognition at the 2026 AFI Global Financial Inclusion Awards in Papua New Guinea.
• CBE specialists Gcina Nxumalo and Siphesihle Mkhonta earned individual awards for their contributions to SME finance and gender-inclusive finance, respectively.
• The CBE itself was honored with the AFI Inclusive Green Finance Award, acknowledging its significant work in this area.
• Notably, the Central Bank of Eswatini is the first institution worldwide to secure all three of these prestigious AFI awards.
• CBE Governor Dr. Phil Mnisi affirmed the institution's commitment to fostering an inclusive financial ecosystem crucial for Eswatini's sustainable economic development.

The Central Bank of Eswatini stands as the first institution globally to achieve the distinction of receiving all three of these specific AFI awards.

The Central Bank of Eswatini (CBE) has garnered significant international recognition, with two of its financial inclusion specialists honored at the prestigious 2026 Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI) Global Financial Inclusion Awards. The ceremony, held in Papua New Guinea, celebrated outstanding contributions to advancing financial access worldwide.

Gcina Nxumalo, the Deputy Director for Financial Inclusion and Development Finance at CBE, received the Technical Leadership Award for her pivotal role within the SME Finance Working Group (SMEFWG). Concurrently, Siphesihle Mkhonta, a Senior Analyst in the same department, was recognized with the AFI Gender Inclusive Finance (GIF) Champion award, acknowledging her dedicated efforts with the Gender Inclusive Finance Working Group (GIFWG). Beyond individual accolades, the CBE itself was presented with the AFI Inclusive Green Finance (IGF) Award, a testament to its substantial contributions to the AFI Inclusive Green Finance Working Group (IGFWG).

This remarkable achievement positions the Central Bank of Eswatini as the first institution globally to achieve the distinction of receiving all three of these specific AFI awards. This unique recognition underscores CBE's pioneering efforts and consistent dedication to advancing financial inclusion on multiple fronts.

The institution's active and instrumental participation in various AFI working groups has been crucial, allowing it to significantly contribute to the development and shaping of global financial inclusion policies. Through these collaborative platforms, CBE has consistently shared its valuable expertise and best practices with numerous other AFI member institutions, thereby fostering a collective advancement in the field.

Dr. Phil Mnisi, the Governor of the Central Bank of Eswatini, affirmed that these awards serve as a powerful testament to the institution's unwavering commitment to fostering financial inclusion, promoting gender equality, and championing green finance initiatives. He underscored the critical importance of these areas for achieving sustainable economic development within Eswatini.

Governor Mnisi further highlighted that the CBE's extensive efforts are meticulously aligned with the nation's broader development goals. He emphasized the Central Bank's steadfast dedication to cultivating an inclusive financial ecosystem, with the ultimate objective of ensuring that all Emaswati have equitable access to essential financial services.

These prestigious accolades significantly reinforce Eswatini's standing as a prominent leader in the global financial inclusion landscape. The awards serve as a powerful acknowledgment of CBE's visionary leadership, its development of innovative policies, and the effective, practical implementation of its financial inclusion initiatives within the nation.

This international recognition not only inspires the Central Bank of Eswatini to steadfastly continue its vital work but also encourages it to proactively explore new avenues and strategies for expanding financial inclusion. Ultimately, these honors strengthen CBE's unwavering resolve to make a profound and positive impact on the economic well-being and daily lives of all Emaswati.

Source: Original reporting via source article