Senior Vice President and Regional Head, Africa; Accion Brian Kuwik leads and manages Accion's operations and relationships with partners in Africa and Haiti. Accion's regional program aims to improve financial inclusion in the region through equity investments in microfinance banks and other new ventures as well as the provision of management and technical services to Accion Microfinance Bank in Nigeria, Akiba Commercial Bank in Tanzania, EB-Accion in Ghana and Cameroon, SOGESOL in Haiti and other microfinance banks. Mr. Kuwik sits on the boards of these partner banks, plays an active role in governance, and provides strategic and financial advice. He also supervises Accion's technical assistance activities in the areas of strategic and business planning, product and operations development, human resources management, information technology, and risk management from its office in Ghana. Previously, he served as resident advisor and senior manager for Accion partners in Zimbabwe, Uganda and Haiti. He has supported the design and start-up of new institutions in Nigeria, Ghana and Cameroon. Before joining Accion in September 2001, Mr. Kuwik worked for three years at the Small Enterprise Foundation in rural South Africa. Prior to these positions, he was a Fulbright researcher in Cameroon. Mr. Kuwik holds an M.B.A. in finance and international business from the University of Washington and a B.A. in international development from American University.

1. 4th
Africa CEO Roundtable on
Corporate Sustainability &
Responsibility
Opening Remarks on The Intersection: Financial
Inclusion, Economic Sustainability & Social
Benefit
Brian Kuwik
Senior Vice President, Africa
19 June 2014
Calabar, Nigeria

2. Our Approach
2
Double Bottom Line: We pursue altruistic
goals through commercial means
Sustainable Institutions: We build
commercially viable institutions that provide high
quality services to the unbanked
Impact Investing: Our investing initiatives
reflect our commitment to cultivating a financial
ecosystem that will enhance the efficiency, reach
and scope of financial services for millions of
people living in poverty around the world
Our Mission
To give people the financial tools
they need to improve their lives.
Our Vision
To build a financially inclusive
world with access to economic
opportunity for all.

3. 3
Our Global Reach
Over the years Accion has helped build 63 microfinance institutions
in 32 countries on four continents and invested in more than 20
innovative start-up companies that serve the base of the economic
pyramid.
Those institutions are currently reaching millions of clients.

4. Our Vision for Financial Inclusion
4

5. The Invisible Market
• Globally, 2.5 billion people (50% of
the world’s adults) remain without
access to a formal savings account
• In Africa, 361 million people (76% of
adults) lack such access
• Africa leads in savings behavior and
mobile phone payments
• Very low levels of access to credit
and insurance in Africa
• 50 million African MSMEs contribute
58% of employment and 33% of GDP
5

6. Our Goal: Full Financial Inclusion by 2020
• Incomes are rising at the base of the
economic pyramid, especially in
middle income countries
• Technology is reducing delivery costs
and expanding reach
• Opportunities are attracting providers
to innovation and new entry
• Policymakers are prioritizing financial
inclusion
6

7. Why Does Financial Inclusion Matter?
People can fulfill their economic potential by:
- managing day-to-day lives more productively,
- shielding selves against risks, and
- supporting selves in achieving major life
goals (education, home and business growth).
7

8. 8
Client Story of “Business Graduation”
http://vimeo.com/97834344

9. Thank You!
For more information, visit
www.accion.org

10. Thank You!
For more information, visit
www.accion.org