AFI was founded on the idea that a global knowledge exchange platform was key to expanding and improving financial inclusion policies.

Each year, AFI holds its flagship event, Global Policy Forum (GPF), the world's largest financial inclusion gathering of policymakers.

"Through the Gates Foundation, Dr. Alfred Hannig and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) team successfully received grants to kick-off the first phase of AFI in Bangkok, Thailand and subsequently launched it in Kenya in 2009.

In 2017, AFI members adopted the Sharm El Sheikh Accord on Financial Inclusion, Climate Change and Green Finance.

[11] In 2019, a letter of understanding was signed between AFI and the Ministry of Finance of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg to launch a new multi-donor collaboration framework to bolster financial inclusion across the African continent.

The COVID-19 pandemic triggered widespread unemployment and falling levels of gross domestic product and disproportionately impacting the most disadvantaged segments of populations.

AFI's core mission is to empower policymakers to increase the access and usage of quality financial services for the underserved through the formulation, implementation and global advocacy of sustainable and inclusive policies.

AFI uses a peer-to-peer learning model to connect, encourage and enable financial policymakers to interact and exchange knowledge on policy initiatives.

[16] They also represent the thematic areas that AFI actively participates in: Examines the importance of consumer empowerment and protection to improve the quality of financial services.

CEMC Working Group also advances policy and regulatory issues related to consumer empowerment initiatives and market conduct regulations.

Builds knowledge and good practices on areas related to financial inclusion measurements, such as indicators, methodologies, global standards and principles.

Discusses and creates financial policies that build resilience to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change, and to facilitate a just transition towards a low carbon economy.

Source:[25] Launched at the 2018 AFI GPF in Sochi, Russia, ECAPI aims to resolve regional challenges and elevate the voice of Eastern European and Central Asian nations on key financial inclusion policy issues.

While the region has witnessed significant advancements in financial access in recent years, at least 121 million people remain excluded from formal banking.

They have implemented 29 policy changes linked to the regional initiative's work in financial inclusion, published four knowledge products and made 53 Maya Declaration commitments.

Source:[27] FILAC is a regional initiative that aims to be the driving force for advancing financial inclusion in Latin American and Caribbean countries.

Source:[28] Officially launched in Dili, Timor-Leste, in 2015, PIRI aims to make formal financial services accessible to all Pacific Islanders through its unique model of south-south engagement and peer learning.

The region has one of the highest rates of unbanked persons globally due to factors including geographically dispersed islands, small populations and limited banking infrastructure.

The initiative invites AFI member institutions to share in a common vision while working toward ensuring that financial services are widely accessed throughout the region.

With PIRI, AFI has created a unique model of south-south engagement and peer learning that aims to provide all low-income Pacific Islanders with access to formal and informal financial services.

Source:[29] Launched at the 12th AFI Global Policy Forum in Jordan, in September 2022, SARFII aims to build on the important strides made by South Asian member institutions over the past decade by acting as a catalyst to accelerate financial inclusion with an objective to improve lives and make financial security and inclusion a reality for across South Asia.

In his opening remarks, Central Bank of Kenya Governor Prof. Njuguna Ndung'u summarized the goal of the GPF when he stated: "We will, over the next three days, share experiences on smart financial inclusion policies that have worked elsewhere.