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Laura Stender
Senior Programme Manager
The next webinar series kicks off in October 2025. Register below to receive more information.
Join us for an insightful webinar focused on mastering leadership in sustainable finance. As global challenges such as climate change, geopolitical tensions, and biodiversity loss intensify, effective leadership is crucial in navigating these complexities. This webinar will delve into how leaders can confront these issues, communicate the business case for sustainable initiatives, and drive organizational change through sustainability practices.
Key Topics:
Time: 1-2 PM
Speaker: Dr. Nataliia Cherkas, Programme Director of the Master of Leadership in Sustainable Finance
The study investigates how digital finance is accelerating financial inclusion in Zambia, with a focus on mobile money versus other digital financial services (DFS). The findings show that mobile money is the largest driver of digital financial inclusion due to its low accessibility barriers. In contrast, other DFS like internet banking and digital insurance face obstacles such as illiteracy, mistrust, and lack of connectivity, and are mostly used by those already financially included. The study also highlights coordination gaps in efforts to enhance consumer empowerment and protection, and notes that Zambia's digital transformation is in its early stages, requiring more ICT infrastructure. To promote financial inclusion, the study recommends coordinated efforts between the government, regulators, and financial services providers to intensify consumer empowerment, strengthen consumer protection, and widen connectivity.
Time: 1-2 PM (CEST)
Speaker: Sheila Garakara, Country Manager, Zambia at Solidaridad Network (MLSF Alumni)
This session will explore the persistent gap between high-potential green products (like solar kits, efficient cookstoves, irrigation pumps, etc.) and their limited market uptake in low-income contexts. Drawing on real-world examples and recent field research, we’ll bust common myths about affordability, demand, and distribution. We’ll also dive into the catalytic role that impact investors and development financiers can play in bridging the scale gap and unlocking true impact.
Time: 2 - 3 PM (CEST)
Speaker: Yekbun Gürgöz, Lucie Klarsfeld McGrath, Dan Waldron
In an era of heightened macro-financial uncertainty, central banks face increasing pressure to respond with agility and coherence. This webinar will showcase how a robust, integrated toolkit developed by the IMF Central Bank Operations Division can support central banks in both policy design and operational implementation amid challenging conditions.
Join us as we delve into practical approaches and analytical tools - such as liquidity forecasting, central bank balance sheet stress testing and FX intervention rules - that can help central banks navigate volatility and build resilience. The session will highlight how these tools can be effectively combined into a comprehensive framework to support sound decision-making.
The format will feature opening remarks and insights by Dr. Cecilia Melo Fernandes, Senior Financial Sector Expert, IMF, followed by a fireside chat with Prof. Dr. Emanuel Mönch from Frankfurt School. The session will conclude with an open Q&A, giving participants the opportunity to engage directly with the speaker.
About the speakers:
Prof. Dr. Emanuel Mönch is Professor of Financial Economics at Frankfurt School and Co-Director of its Centre for Central Banking. He previously served as Head of Research at the Deutsche Bundesbank and as a Senior Economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. His expertise spans monetary policy, financial markets, and macro-financial research.
Cecilia Melo Fernandes, PhD is a Senior Financial Sector Expert at the International Monetary Fund. She brings experience from previous roles at the European Central Bank, European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) and United Nations Organization. Cecilia holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Economics from the University of Amsterdam.
Time: 3 - 4 PM (CEST)
Should MSME finance providers in emerging markets tune out the climate risk debate as just another luxury problem? Absolutely not, this issue is real. We already know that climate change is hitting small businesses and vulnerable clients in developing countries first and hardest.
So, how can we take climate risk into account and develop our Inclusive Finance mission? The BCBS guidance is actually a solid, practical starting point. It is all about portfolio stress testing and highlighting climate risk hot spots, but it should also help identify resilient sectors and business models. As always, this journey starts with data: on the “who, what, where and how” of your clients and about the changing climate conditions in your market.
Time: 3 PM
Speaker: Dr. Joachim Bald
In this webinar Helmut Grossmann will present real-life examples how public funding can be used to leverage private investment for sustainable agricultural development in the Global South. Based on the presented project examples Helmut will explain the core concept of blended finance, financial instruments used in this context, the structuring of blended finance deals, and impact measurements. Participants will have sufficient time to ask questions and contribute their own ideas and experiences.
Time: 1-2 PM
Speaker: Helmut Grossmann
The relationship between the economy and ecology is at a critical crossroads, with global ecosystems facing increasing pressure and a nature finance gap estimated at $700 billion. This webinar will explore the interdependencies between economic stability and ecological sustainability, highlighting the risks posed by the nature finance gap to biodiversity and global economic system. Join Steffen Müller, expert in nature finance and sustainability, as we discuss actionable strategies to close this gap. Attendees will gain insights into finance change and change finance.
Time: 11:00 AM (CEST)
Speaker: Steffen Müller
As Somalia rebuilds its financial sector, Sharia-compliant finance is emerging as a vital pathway for promoting inclusive economic development. With a majority Muslim population and a growing demand for ethical, interest-free financial services, Islamic microfinance offers a culturally relevant solution to extend access to capital for underserved communities and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
In this webinar, Dr Mohammed Kroessin will moderate a panel discussion with Mahad Mohamoud Abdilallahi (Director of Licensing & Supervision, Central Bank of Somalia, Jibril Aden Mohamed (Director of Investment, Somali Development and Reconstruction Bank), Ismail Mohamud Ismail (CEO, Somali Microfinance Association) and Dr Mohamed Ahmed Ainab, (Head of Sharia Audit & Sharia Risk – SomBank) to explore:
Online| Self-paced | Self-study | Flexibel
Certified Epert online programmes in topics related to Sustainable Finance, Financial Inclusion and Green Finance
2-5 days programmes on Campus related to Sustainable Finance, Financial Inclusion and Green Finance
Master of Leadership in Sustainable Finance
Online| Self-paced | Self-study | Flexibel
Diploma in Financial Inclusion - Blended
Diploma in Green Finance - Blended
Diploma in Risk Management - Blended
Building a Sustainable Future Together!
Laura Stender
Senior Programme Manager
