Former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf discusses financial inclusion, digital payments, and blockchain technology's role in addressing global inequities. She emphasizes the need for inclusive financial architecture, mobile money adoption, and inter-African payment systems to enable sustainable growth.
In this Meridian keynote conversation, former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf discusses how financial inclusion is essential for addressing global inequities exposed by COVID-19. She highlights that women and youth have been historically excluded from financial systems and are now driving innovation through mobile money and digital platforms. Sirleaf emphasizes the importance of rebuilding financial infrastructure post-conflict, the transformative role of mobile phones in rural Africa, and the need for lower-cost remittance systems. She expresses skepticism about central bank digital currencies but supports inter-African payment systems to foster regional trade and integration. Governance, regulatory environment, and national policies are identified as critical factors for technology adoption. The discussion touches on Stellar's work connecting mobile money networks across East Africa to global payment systems.