According to the event organizers, the Central Asia Microfinance Forum will take place on September 21, 2026, at The Ritz-Carlton Almaty hotel. It will gather representatives of the financial sector from Central Asia, Europe, and other regions.
It is expected that 350 to 400 people will participate in the forum, including heads of microfinance organizations, financial regulators, commercial banks, international financial institutions, investors, and fintech companies.
The main theme of the agenda will be the development of the microfinance market and the expansion of financial accessibility in Central Asia. Key issues include regulatory changes, alternative sources of financing, digitalization of microfinance institutions, prevention of cyber fraud, consumer protection, and principles of responsible finance.
Participants and Representatives
Confirmed participants include Assem Bolatzhan, Advisor to the Minister of Kazakhstan on Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development and head of Women in Tech Kazakhstan; Shalkar Zhusupov, Chairman of the Board of KMF Bank; Yerbol Omarkhanov, Chairman of the Board of the Association of Microfinance Organizations of Kazakhstan; Mirat Akhmetsadykov, CEO of MOST Finance, and Yuri Li, founder of the Public Foundation Financial Culture of Kazakhstan.
Representatives from organizations such as the Asian Development Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the International Finance Corporation, the Microfinance Centre, and the Banking Association of Central and Eastern Europe are also expected to attend. Regulatory and supervisory bodies presenting their positions include the Association of Financiers of Kazakhstan, the Agency for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market of Kazakhstan, and the Agency for Financial Monitoring of Kazakhstan.
The forum will include an awards ceremony dedicated to recognizing the achievements of microfinance organizations in supporting small and medium-sized businesses, corporate governance, and protecting client rights. After panel discussions, participants plan to adopt the Almaty Declaration—a document defining the principles and guidelines for the development of the microfinance market in Central Asia.
The event is organized by the Association of Microfinance Organizations of Kazakhstan and the Coordinating Council of Microfinance Organizations Associations of Central Asian Countries.