History of RFF

RFF was created to foster dialogue and action among the private sector, governments, practitioners, policymakers, academics, and consumer organizations. The annual RFF event provides an opportunity to share research on consumer risks, emerging best practices and solutions to address these risks, and initiatives to responsibly scale inclusive financial services.

RFF as a community of practice was first conceptualized in 2009 by BMZ/GIZ, CGAP, IFC, and the Netherlands Ministry of Finance, in partnership with the wider G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (G20/GPFI) community. The first annual meeting took place in Berlin in 2010.

In 2015, IFC launched the RFF website as a platform to foster information sharing among the community. IFC transferred the platform and convening role to the Center for Financial Inclusion (CFI) in March 2022. IFC remains an integral partner of RFF and continues to support the initiative through its involvement in the RFF governance bodies.

  • RFF 2024 Fortaleza, Brazil
    The 2024 RFF convening will be held in Fortaleza, Brazil from July 2-3.
  • RFF 2023 Bengaluru, India
    In July 2023, RFF hosted its first in-person gathering in four years to explore the latest research and share best practices for Shaping a Digital Finance Ecosystem that places consumer interests at its center. Attendees gathered in Bengaluru for immersive learning experiences, knowledge sharing, and debate, plus interactions with industry experts, seeking to drive change and spark innovation in responsible finance. View Report
  • RFF 2022 Virtual
    In June, RFF held the first convening since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The virtual convening brought stakeholders together to discuss whether innovation in financial services is on a responsible path. View report. In December, RFF held a second virtual convening that discussed the connections between responsible finance and climate change and the steps that responsible finance stakeholders can take to help people build resilience to shocks and adapt to changing conditions. View Report
  • 2022
    The platform and convening role of RFF was transferred to the Center for Financial Inclusion (CFI) in March 2022. The goal is for RFF to provide an agile and forward-thinking space for a wide range of inclusive finance stakeholders to share knowledge, conduct research, and engage in global dialogue to improve risk identification and mitigation.
  • Investor Forum 2019 Washington, DC
    The International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Social Protection Task Force (SPTF) co-organized the Investor Forum, “Responsible Finance for Digital Inclusion: Investing for Impact.” This gathering convened over 100 investors, innovators, and industry practitioners in digital finance and fintech who are making investments to better mitigate customer risks while shaping a path for inclusive growth and financial resilience.
  • RFF 2018 Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
    The RFF convening was held in October under the theme of “Investing in Responsible Finance and Innovation for Africa’s Digital Economies.” The 2018 convening was a continuation of prior global and regional events and focused on Africa’s evolving digital finance landscape. The event brought together leading investors, policymakers, practitioners, and innovators, and addressed critical challenges facing Africa today and its unique potential to accelerate investments in responsible digital financial services. Participants engaged with global networks and Africa’s local practitioners about recent initiatives, evolving business models, and technology solutions, together with leading Signatories of the Guidelines for Investing in Responsible Digital Financial Services.
  • RFF 2017 Berlin, Germany
    The RFF convening was hosted in April by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), preceding the G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI) meetings in May. The RFF convening was co-organized by The Better Than Cash Alliance (BTCA), Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ), International Finance Corporation (IFC), United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and the World Bank. Discussions focused on customer data protection and privacy issues against the background of the continuous, rapid digitalization of the financial sector, and the changing landscape of financial service providers. View report
  • RFF 2016 Xi'an, China
    This year’s RFF event brought together over 100 participants globally, primarily representing the private and public sector of the Asia region, with particular emphasis on China. The convening was linked to the G20/Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI) meetings in May. The focus of the event focused on how technology and data are transforming financial services. We increasingly leave a big digital footprint fueled by a sharp increase in the usage of mobile phones, online payment systems, and social media. Financial institutions and fintech companies are tapping into this large array of real-time digital data to gain valuable insights and extend services to poor and underserved populations who were previously overlooked. How can banks and alternative lenders provide financial services to the poor in the digital era while preventing abusive lending practices? View report
  • RFF 2015 Antalya, Turkey
    The RFF event was hosted by the Turkish Presidency ahead of the G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI) meetings. The Forum highlighted evidence and innovation for scaling inclusive digital finance. While the advent of digital finance has brought with it the opportunity to include those without full access to formal financial services, increased access to and use of digital financial services also comes with risks that are crucial to address if financial services are to enhance consumer wellbeing. View report
  • RFF 2014 Perth, Australia
    The RFF convening was held in August and brought together more than 100 industry, government, and private sector leaders to discuss how digital financial services can be delivered in a transparent, fair, and safe manner. Focusing exclusively on the use of technology to provide financial services and products for the poor, the convening enabled participants to share specific approaches that private and public sector actors can take to address emerging risks from the expansion of digital financial services. View report
  • RFF 2013 Berlin, Germany
    The RFF convening was hosted by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and Germany’s Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) in June. The event was organized in collaboration with the Access to Insurance Initiative (A2ii), Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP), the International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS), International Finance Corporation (IFC), the International Labour Office (ILO), the Microinsurance Network, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, and Munich Re Foundation. View report
  • RFF 2012 Washington, DC
    The RFF event was hosted by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in April. It convened nearly 200 participants from the financial sector, bilateral and multilateral donors, investors, and the broader international community. For the first time, the full-day event, coordinated with the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP), Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) brought together leaders from the Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI), World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), and prominent private sector representatives to share experiences in putting responsible finance into action.View report
  • RFF 2011 The Hague, Netherlands
    The RFF event was organized by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, jointly with H.M. Queen Máxima of the Netherlands (then-Princess) in her capacity as the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development (UNSGSA), the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP), and the International Finance Corporation (IFC). Recent microfinance crises had underscored the need for appropriate products, practices, and policies to protect and positively impact the end-users of microfinance. Collective action of MFIs, industry associations, national regulators, donors, and investors was expressed to be urgent. View report
  • RFF 2010 Berlin, Germany
    The inaugural RFF convening was organized in 2010, establishing the first informal community of practice to improve cooperation and share expertise and knowledge on the emerging concept of responsible finance. View report
  • 2009
    RFF was conceptualized as a community of practice by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ), Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP), International Finance Corporation (IFC), and the Netherlands Ministry of Finance, in partnership with the wider G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (G20/GPFI) community. The community of practice was launched with the goal to be a forum of investors, donors, microfinance asset managers, financial services providers, practitioners, and sector experts who share a common vision for a fair and customer-centric delivery of financial services.