Solidarity Microfinance Foundation — a leading Egyptian institution focused on empowering women through micro-enterprise financing — took part in the fifth edition of the Africa Financial Industry Summit (AFIS 2025), held this week in Casablanca. The foundation was represented by Mona Zulficar, Chair of the Board of Trustees, and Riham Farouk, Chief Executive Officer.
The high-profile summit, convened under the theme “Our Capital, Our Strength: Unlocking Africa’s Financial Sovereignty,” brought together more than 1,200 leaders, including senior government officials, financial-sector executives, development partners and policy experts from across the continent.
A Strategic Push for Financial Independence
Throughout the summit, participants explored new pathways to mobilize capital for strategic projects and build sustainable financial independence across Africa. Discussions centered on innovative approaches to inclusive economic growth and the shift from high-level strategies to actionable, measurable roadmaps.
Microfinance in Focus: Moving Beyond Debt-Heavy Models
Mona Zulficar joined a key panel titled “Microfinance Strategy for Breaking Free from Debt-Driven Models,” moderated by Cheikh Oumar Seydi, IFC Regional Director for North Africa and the Horn of Africa.
Zulficar emphasized the importance of transitioning African microfinance institutions toward diversified funding sources, including bank facilities, bonds and securitization. She called for practical solutions to the challenges facing the sector and urged institutions to focus on improving customer-centric financial services.
The session also tackled the persistent dominance of debt in microfinance and development finance models, exploring how regulators, DFIs and microfinance providers can adopt more balanced and resilient financing frameworks.
Reham Farouk: Innovation, Stability and Impact Finance Are Reshaping Africa
Speaking on the broader outcomes of AFIS 2025, CEO Riham Farouk said the summit underscored several structural shifts shaping Africa’s financial future. These include:
- Global economic pressures and financial-stability concerns
- Evolving commercial banking models
- Sustainability and impact-driven investment
- Insurance expansion across underserved markets
- Fintech growth and rapid digital-finance acceleration
Farouk added that discussions highlighted the need to modernize financial tools, channel capital into strategic projects and leverage digital transformation and artificial intelligence to drive economic resilience.
IFC Announces $310 Million in New Investments
In a major announcement at AFIS 2025, the International Finance Corporation confirmed $310 million in new investments aimed at supporting the growth of small businesses and boosting job creation across several African countries, including Egypt.
A Milestone Moment for Africa’s Financial Future
AFIS 2025 reinforced a shared continental ambition: strengthening Africa’s ability to rely on its own capital, technology and human resources. With institutions like Solidarity Microfinance Foundation actively shaping conversations on innovation and financial inclusion, the summit marked another step toward achieving a more self-sustaining African financial ecosystem.
