Afd Commits Additional Eur 3 M Into Adfi To Boost Digital Financial Inclusion In Africa

The Agence Francaise de Developpement AFD has committed an additional EUR 3 M to the Africa Digital Financial Inclusion Facility ADFI in a move that signals France's continued support for expanding access to digital financial services across Africa.

This new contribution brings AFD's total support for ADFI to over EUR 5 M. The funds aim to support innovative, technology-driven financial tools that can reach people typically excluded from traditional banking. These include services such as digital credit, savings, insurance, and mobile payments-tools that are increasingly essential for economic resilience and growth across the continent.

The funding will support ADFI's efforts to develop and scale digital solutions that connect underserved populations-particularly women, youth, and small businesses-with credit, insurance, and other essential financial tools.

Despite progress in digital infrastructure and mobile money penetration, nearly half of Africa's adult population remains excluded from the formal financial system. ADFI targets this gap through strategic investments in digital public infrastructure, policy and regulatory frameworks, and product innovation, with a cross-cutting focus on gender inclusion and institutional capacity building.

Launched in 2019, ADFI was established by the African Development Bank in partnership with AFD, the Bill Melinda Gates Foundation, and Luxembourg's Ministry of Finance.