> Posted by Jeffrey Riecke, Communications Assistant, CFI
Last month the Sudan Academy for Banking and Financial Sciences delivered financial literacy training to more than 1,000 credit agents. The training was given as part of a larger microfinance development program the Academy provides to Sudanese financial sector staff.
The literacy trainings covered a wide range of financial literacy topics, including budgeting, saving, financial negotiations, debt management, and basic familiarity with financial services. These are topics the credit agents may be able to use in their own lives, but more broadly, the credit agents are seen as the carriers of financial education messages to their clients. That is why the training also included such core client-relationship skills as listening and effective communication.
Academy President Dr. Awatif Yousif said, “The development of the microfinance sector in Sudan is central to Sudan’s overall economic development… Alongside efforts to increase the provision of financial products and services a parallel investment in financial literacy must be made so that microfinance clients have the knowledge to make best use of financing.”
The training was delivered by Silatech, a Qatar-based organization focused on spurring job creation and economic opportunities for youth in the Arab world. Silatech has conducted financial literacy trainings in other countries and was eager to extend its work into Sudan.
The Financial Inclusion 2020 campaign has organized a Financial Capability Experts’ Working Group to thoroughly incorporate this area of financial literacy into the campaign’s roadmap to full financial inclusion. For more information on Financial Inclusion 2020, and to explore becoming roadmap contributors or reviewers, sign up for project updates. For more on financial literacy, check out a few of our related blog posts below.
Image Credit: Silatech
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January 14, 2013 at 1:17 am
Getaneh Gobezie
Colleagues
Thanks for this … It is great news — that financial literacy programmes are comming to Eastern Africa. I would like to learn more…. Is it possible to get some resources on this …??
Kind Regards
Getaneh Gobezie
Gender and Ruralfinance consultant
January 14, 2013 at 1:42 am
John Gitau
Getaneh,
Yes, thanks to Jeff for highlighting this positive development for Sudan hoping that it trickles down to Southern Sudan. Check out our financial literacy efforts in East Africa at: http://www.financialeducationcentre.co.ke.
Getaneh you used to be a vocal contributor in this forum then you disappeared. Good to see your comment again. I used to value your thoughtful perspectives.
January 17, 2013 at 6:29 pm
Monique Cohen
I was very excited to read this since the themes are clearly an adaptation of the MFO/FFH Global Financial Edcuation Program (GFEP), developed with the support of the Citi Foundation. Five years MFO worked with Sanabel to translate the GFEP into arabic. Three years ago I met with a Sudanese central banker about financial educatiion. Diffusion of good ideas take time and patience, a good product and a champion. For the GFEP in arabic and other languages go to http://www.microfinanceopporutnities.org.