Opening Speech by the Summit Host

Dr. Zhong Wu

Director General of The Finance Centre for South-South Cooperation

Opening Address

Chief Representative of Xinhua News Agency’s Branch Office in Nairobi

Ms. Florence Were

Ag. Managing Director, Kenya Investment Authority

China-Africa Financial Inclusion Cooperation in the Digital Age

Dr. Duoguang Bei

President, China Academy of Financial Inclusion

China-Africa Cooperation on Sustainable Investments for Stronger Climate Actions

Dr. Rebekah Shirley

Deputy Director, World Resource Institute, Africa

China-Africa Financial Cooperation for Stronger South-South Economic Ties

Dr. Min Ji

Director of the Counselor’s Office, People’s Bank of China

Digital Inclusive Finance Addressing Crises for the African Continent

Ms. Grace Kyokunda

Africa Development Bank

China’s Digital Inclusive Finance in its National Financial Inclusion Reform: Practices and Innovations

Mr. Qiang Shan

President, National Internet Finance Association of China

South-South Cooperation on Digital and Inclusive Finance for the Development of Children and Youth

Ms. Fui Meng Liew

Chief, Digital Center of Excellence, UNICEF

The Conclusion of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) of China-Africa Renewable Energy Sustainable Investment Partnership

Host

Dr. Cheng Cheng

Director for Asian Partnership, AGRA

Presenter

Ms. Wanjira Mathai 

Managing Director for Africa and Global Partnerships, World Resource Institute

Addressing the Climate Crisis with China-Africa cooperation on Sustainable Investment

Climate crisis is affecting our economies, societies, and lives at an accelerated pace and in a more drastic way than expected. Stronger and newer partnerships matter more than ever to mobilize financial resources for more resilient responses to climate changes. Under this circumstance, China-Africa cooperation on sustainable investment can generate a higher marginal value with comparative advantages of each side combined. To achieve so, it is critical to align perspectives and understandings on the financial gaps, institutional needs, and practical barriers of renewable energies, sustainable investments, and climate actions for Chinese and African actors.

This session features in-depth interactions between the speakers, fostering a dynamic exchange of ideas and strategies. There will also be a Q&A session, allowing the audience to engage directly with the experts, ask questions, and gain deeper insights into the discussed topics. This session offers an exceptional opportunity to explore a diverse array of topics related to sustainable investment and provides a comprehensive understanding and valuable perspectives on China-Africa cooperation in addressing the climate crisis.

This roundtable starts with host’s brief opening talk, then one round of discussion based on each discussant’s own perspective, and then one round of Q&A between host and discussants, and finally ends with Q&A from the general audience.

Host

World Resource Institute

Discussants

FSD Africa

World Wild Fund for Nature

Power Solution

Longi Green Energy Technology

Digital Inclusive Finance: Fostering Greater Equity

Why and how can digital financial provide the “warp speed” for promoting social equity? Indeed, this is a question which has been asked and answered frequently, but it is also a “Always Change, Always New” topic, especially in the setting of open and digital economy and in the era of global order reshaped. Subsequently, raising this discussion in the China-Africa context may cultivate new insights and potential collaboration. Ultimately, this discussion should serve the policymakers, the entrepreneurs, the investors, and NGOs from both sides to understand each other for co-creating sustainable cooperation, especially in terms of combining the advantages from each side to jointly forward over key barriers.

Moreover, CADFIS 2024 is advocating the idea of "expanding the boundaries of financial inclusion" by highlighting previously less discussed issues, such as financial inclusion for youth development and social and environmental impacts of AI adoption. By bringing these emergent topics on the table, this roundtable of dialogue, between the Chinese, African, and international experts, aims to outline the bigger picture, connecting digital inclusive finance to the profound developmental demands for future.

This roundtable starts with host's brief opening talk, then one round of discussion based on each discussant's own perspective, and then one round of Q&A between host and discussants, and finally ends with Q&A from the general audience.

Host

African Development Bank

Discussants

Huawei

Safaricom

Pula

Ant Research

Long-term collaborative and dialogue mechanism and highlight projects of mutual interests and benefits for China-Africa digital financial inclusion and sustainable energy cooperation

Perpetuating the dialogue and cooperation mechanisms implied by the China-Africa Digital Financial Inclusion Summit and developing projects of sustainable investment by formulating a solid action plan on, including:

· CAFI to present its motivation and vision for China-Africa digital finance and sustainable investment cooperation framework and proposed action plans

· Each participant to share organization's programmes and initiatives in Africa and globally for strengthening China-Africa cooperation and dialogue (Tour de table, 10 mins each)

Promoting China-Africa Renewable Energy Sustainable Investment Partnership and Projects

The experts will provide informative and insightful presentations: shedding light on the establishment of strategic B2B partnerships to accelerate investments in renewable energy; innovative financing mechanisms such as green bonds and blended finance to unlock significant capital flows; and the role of capacity building in enhancing skills and technology transfer to support local renewable energy markets. Invited guest speakers will present their ongoing projects and strategic plans, and exchange ideas on building new projects. Special emphasis will be placed on the mobilization of finance for renewable energy & energy access partnership, which discusses interventions needed to unlock speedy and significant capital flows for deploying renewable energy technologies, including but not limited to the establishment of renewable energy investment fund, the enhancement of de-risking mechanisms, and the promotion of linkages between financiers and renewable energy developers.

Host

Mr. Cheng Zhang

Associate, Sustainable Investment Program, World Resource Institute

Digital Financial Inclusion: Reshaping the Development Trajectories for MSMEs

The rapid advancement of digital technologies is transforming the financial services landscape globally. Nowhere is this more evident than in Africa, where digital financial services are revolutionizing access to finance for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Digital financial inclusion has the potential to be a game-changer for MSMEs, which are the backbone of African economies, driving growth, innovation and job creation.

This roundtable brings together entrepreneurs and experts in the digital financial inclusion space to discuss how digital financial services are reshaping development trajectories for MSMEs in Africa. The discussion will explore: 1. The current state of digital financial inclusion for MSMEs in Africa; 2. Innovative digital financial products and services tailored for MSMEs; 3. The role of China-Africa partnerships and collaboration in driving digital MSME finance; 4. Policy and regulatory frameworks to support digital financial inclusion; 5. The outlook for digitally enabled MSME finance in Africa

The roundtable aims to generate insights and recommendations to accelerate digital financial inclusion for MSMEs, enabling them to thrive and drive inclusive economic growth across the continent. Join us for this timely and important discussion on harnessing digital finance to support MSMEs in Africa.

Host 

BFA Global

Panelist

Huawei

Ahadi Corporation

TradeRemit

Palmpay

Vanguard Advisory

Gathering and Integrating Parallel Sessions' Outcomes

Report and demonstrate key outcomes of each parallel session to the entirety of the audience for greater understanding and communication

Facilitator

Dr. Meron Tesfamicheal

Energy Director, World Resource Institute, Africa

Launching Ceremony

The Launching Ceremony of Afro-Asia Fintech Association

Host

Prof. Duoqi Xu

Director, Fudan Artificial Intelligence Regulation Lab (FAIR) 

Presentor 

Ms. Zhiyun Long

Initiator, Afro-Asia Fintech Association

Roundtable III

How to leverage Digital Financial Inclusion to Promote for Youth development and leadership?

As the digital revolution sweeps across Africa, it presents an unprecedented opportunity to empower the next generation with the financial tools and knowledge they need to thrive in the 21st century. Digital financial inclusion for children and youth is not just about access to financial services; it's about equipping them with the skills and capabilities to navigate an increasingly digital world and build a bright financial future.

This roundtable brings together a diverse group of stakeholders to explore how we can harness digital technologies to promote financial inclusion and empowerment for children and youth for the global South. The discussion will delve into: 1. The unique financial needs and challenges faced by children and youth; 2. Innovative digital financial products and services designed for young people; 3. The role of education and skills training in promoting digital financial literacy; 4. Strategies for engaging and empowering youth in the fintech ecosystem; 5. Safeguarding the rights and well-being of children in the digital finance space

The roundtable aims to spark a dialogue on how we can create an enabling environment for children and youth to access, use and benefit from digital financial services. By investing in the financial inclusion and empowerment of young people, we can unlock their potential as drivers of economic and social progress.

Host 

UNICEF

Discussant

Fudan University

ALX Ventures

Forever TVET

Kuza One

Closing Address 

Mr. Guangshao Tu

Former Executive Vice Mayor of Shanghai, Executive Director of Shanghai Advanced Institute of Finance, Shanghai Jiao Tong University