Nairobi

The volatile economic environment and its impact on the most vulnerable communities have underlined the increasingly important role of financial literacy as key skill that can help assure personal financial security, wealth-building, and financial inclusion for those still outside the banking system. Financial education can be the difference between surviving and thriving.

But what is the best way to provide this form of education, taking into consideration the different cultural and market development needs? Which channels are most productive and what policies should regulators put in place to support financial literacy initiatives? What types of partnerships are needed between the public sector, private financial institutions, academia and civil society to ensure that financial education programmes achieve their desired outcome? How are programmes customised for different financial levels, age groups, life cycles and specific financial challenges? 

Visa and the Financial Times will gather policy-makers, educators, financial service providers and other experts and thought leaders to discuss how to optimise the provision of financial education in East Africa -- the basic foundations that have to be in place, and the regional characteristics that need to be addressed, both in terms of programme development and the channels used to maximise reach and impact.

The East Africa event, to be held at the Nairobi Serena Hotel on 9 July 2012, will bechaired by Katrina Manson, the FT's East Africa Correspondent, and will feature a keynote address by Matu Mugo, Assistant Director, Bank Supervision of the Central Bank of Kenya.

Speakers include:

	Katrina Manson East Africa Correspondent Financial Times		Hannes van Rensburg Group Country Manager Visa sub-Saharan Africa, , and Chief Executive and Founder, Fundamo