The African Foundation for Development (AFFORD) would like to invite you to attend Africa Diaspora and Development Day (AD3) will be holding its 16th annual event the African Diaspora Development Day (AD3) conference on 1 July 2016 in partnership with the Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House.

AD3 serves as a platform for networking and the sharing of knowledge, information and best practice, with UK, African and other multi-lateral policymakers.

This year the focus will be on financial inclusion as we have seen that despite the impressive growth rates witnessed in many African countries over the past decade, for growth to be sustainable and for development to be widely spread, it is imperative that all sections of society are financially included. The data shows that Africa is falling behind other continents when it comes to inclusive financing, with only 34% of adults having a bank account and 16% of adults having formal savings; the second lowest of any region in the world (World Bank, 2014). The diaspora, in particular, have had limited access to formal financial structures and products, which has minimised their role as investors and entrepreneurs in Africa.

This event will bring together experts and representatives from institutions in the field who will discuss how they are addressing broadening financial access to the excluded. It will:

★ Examine current and innovative methods for addressing the financial inclusion gap

★ Discuss what policy or infrastructure areas need attention to bridge this gap

★ Identify ways forward

AD3 is a continued step towards Africa’s transformation and we hope you will be able to attend this year’s event, where there will be substantive exchange of experiences and ideas.

This year AFFORD will be launching #AD3Pledge, an opportunity for participants near and far to make a personal commitment to doing something, big or small, to contribute towards growing Africa’s progress.

Join the conversation on social media, what’s your #AD3Pledge? Tweet it @AFFORD_UK

Suggested hashtag for this event:  #AD3Pledge?