The Central Asian Microfinance Forum 2026 took place on September 21st in Almaty, gathering about 500 delegates from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and other countries. The event was held at The Ritz-Carlton Almaty hotel.
The forum was organized by the Association of Microfinance Organizations of Kazakhstan and the Coordinating Council of Associations of Microfinance Organizations of Central Asian Countries. Participants included heads of microfinance organizations and banks, representatives of state bodies and regulators, international financial institutions, investment companies and development funds, as well as fintech companies, credit history bureaus, anti-fraud platforms, and professional associations.
Discussions focused on changes in the regulation of the Central Asian microfinance market, principles of responsible lending, consumer protection, digitalization, and the application of artificial intelligence. Participants also examined new sources of financing, cyber fraud, illegal lending, and the investment attractiveness of the sector.
Separate sessions were dedicated to financing technological and entrepreneurial enterprises, behavioral supervision, and digital solutions for microfinance organizations. A key outcome of the forum was the adoption of the Almaty Declaration by the microfinance organization associations from Central Asian countries. This document establishes the principles for creating a sustainable, transparent, and responsible microfinance market and defines directions for further regional cooperation.
The Declaration covers issues such as responsible lending, reducing household debt burden, consumer protection, and increasing financial literacy, combating financial fraud, and responsible digital transformation of financial services. Furthermore, the document calls for strengthening interaction between state bodies, regulators, and market participants, as well as exchanging experience among Central Asian countries.
Erbol Omarkhanov, Chairman of the Council of the Association of Microfinance Organizations of Kazakhstan, noted that the industry is undergoing a period of transformation, and that the countries of the region face common challenges related to consumer protection, combating fraud, and implementing digital technologies. He emphasized that the adoption of the Almaty Declaration is a step towards systematic regional cooperation.
An awards ceremony for microfinance organizations from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan was also held at the forum. Sixteen organizations received awards for achievements in corporate governance, support for small and medium-sized businesses, and protection of clients' rights and interests.
Participants concluded several practical agreements. Specifically, a letter of commitment to the principles of the Code of Financing Women Entrepreneurs was signed. This initiative aims to expand women's access to financial resources and develop lending for women entrepreneurs in partnership with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
The Association of Microfinance Organizations of Kazakhstan and the Association of Mediators of Kazakhstan signed a memorandum of cooperation in the field of pre-trial dispute resolution, improving communication with borrowers, and strengthening mechanisms for protecting the rights of financial service consumers. Another memorandum was signed by the Association of Microfinance Organizations of Kazakhstan and the Public Fund Financial Culture of Kazakhstan. This document provides for joint work in the areas of financial, digital, and consumer literacy, as well as joint efforts to prevent illegal lending, financial pyramids, and fraud.
After the forum, participants emphasized the need to combine technological development in the microfinance sector and attracting new capital sources with common principles of responsible conduct, client protection, and continuous cooperation between state, business, and professional communities.
The event received support from general partners TAS GROUP, Sapa Group, Arnur Credit, Asian Credit Fund, and MOST Finance. Among the forum's partners were KMF Bank, Jet Finance, R Finance, Tarlan Payments, First Credit Bureau, Center for Cyberattack Analysis and Investigation, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and Neptune.