BY THEMBA ZWANE
MBABANE– Eswatini Central Bank Governor Dr Phil Mnisi has been appointed Chairperson of the African Financial Inclusion Policy Initiative (AfPI), placing the Kingdom’s central bank leadership in a key position to influence financial inclusion policy across the continent.
The appointment was announced during the Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI) Global Policy Forum in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, and was reported by African technology and business publication Tech Review Africa on September 3, 2026.
Mnisi’s appointment gives Eswatini a stronger voice in continental policy discussions focused on expanding access to affordable and appropriate financial services, particularly through digital finance and innovative financial solutions.
As AfPI Chairperson, Mnisi will lead financial inclusion policy discussions among AFI’s African member network and contribute to identifying and advancing priorities for the initiative.
The position places the Eswatini central bank governor at the centre of discussions involving African financial policymakers as countries work to widen participation in formal financial systems and harness technology to reach underserved communities.
AfPI is part of AFI’s wider global network, which brings together financial policymakers from approximately 72 countries to exchange experiences and develop policies aimed at advancing financial inclusion.
Mnisi takes over the AfPI leadership following the outgoing leadership, which included Ghana Governor Dr Johnson Pandit Asiama and Second Deputy Governor Mrs Matilda Asante-Asiedu, with support from AFI Executive Director Dr Alfred Hannig and the AFI team.
Following his appointment, Mnisi acknowledged the contribution of the outgoing leadership and commended them for their stewardship of the initiative during the previous year.
The new role comes as financial inclusion remains a major priority for African economies, with governments and regulators increasingly looking to digital technologies, financial innovation and stronger regulatory cooperation to broaden access to financial services.
For Eswatini, Mnisi’s appointment provides an important continental platform for the Kingdom to contribute to policy development and share its experiences with other African financial authorities.
It also strengthens the international profile of the Central Bank of Eswatini at a time when financial policymakers across Africa are grappling with how to make financial services more accessible while supporting innovation and economic participation.
Mnisi’s chairmanship therefore gives Eswatini an opportunity to play a more prominent role in shaping Africa’s financial inclusion agenda, while strengthening cooperation among the continent’s financial authorities.
The appointment was highlighted by Tech Review Africa in its September 3, 2026 report, making it the latest international recognition of Eswatini’s participation in regional and global financial-policy platforms.
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(Courtesy Pic)
