Almaty to Host Central Asian Microfinance Forum in September 2026
Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — The Central Asian Microfinance Forum will take place on 21 September 2026 at The Ritz-Carlton Almaty, bringing together financial sector representatives from Central Asia, Europe, and other regions, according to event organizers.
The forum is expected to draw between 350 and 400 participants, including executives from microfinance organizations, financial regulators, commercial banks, international financial institutions, investors, and fintech companies.
The agenda will center on microfinance market development and expanding financial inclusion across Central Asia. Key topics include regulatory developments, alternative funding sources, digitalization of microfinance institutions, cyber fraud prevention, consumer protection, and responsible financing principles.
Confirmed participants include Asem Bolatzhan, advisor to Kazakhstan's Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development and head of Women in Tech Kazakhstan; Shalkar Zhusupov, chairman of the board of KMF Bank; Erbol Omarkhanov, board chairman of the Association of Microfinance Organizations of Kazakhstan; Mirat Ahmetsadykov, CEO of MOST Finance; and Yury Li, founder of the Financial Culture of Kazakhstan Public Foundation.
Representatives from the Asian Development Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the International Finance Corporation, the Microfinance Centre, and the Banking Association for Central and Eastern Europe will also attend. Regulatory and oversight bodies represented include the Association of Financiers of Kazakhstan, the Agency of Kazakhstan for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market, and the Financial Monitoring Agency of Kazakhstan.
The forum will feature an awards ceremony honoring microfinance organizations for achievements in small and medium-sized business support, corporate governance, and client rights protection.
Following panel discussions, participants plan to adopt the Almaty Declaration, a document setting out principles and guidelines for the development of the Central Asian microfinance market.
The event is organized by the Association of Microfinance Organizations of Kazakhstan and the Coordination Council of Microfinance Associations of Central Asian Countries.
