The University of Nairobi, through the Africa Mobile Money Research Centre (AMMREC), in the School of Computing and Informatics, in collaboration with partners, has the pleasure to invite you to participate in the first Africa Mobile Money Research Conference (AMMREC2012) on Mobile Technology and Financial Inclusion.

Theme:Evidence of Financial Inclusion through mobile technology

Venue:Kenya School of Monetary Studies (KSMS)

Dates: 2^nd and 3^rd April 2012

Objectives of the conference:

• To review progress made in MM and consider opportunities, trends, and growth strategies relevant for this important sector of the industry.
• To show case innovations in MM beyond money transfers, particularly from the region
• To highlight the value of research in extending the MM ecosystem
• To develop networks that can spur growth of MM ecosystem

Expected participants:

It is expected the following persons will attend the conference:

• Researchers exploring mobile money issues
• Financial institutions (banks, MFIs)
• Private software companies developing m-banking and mobile money applications
• Development partners involved in financial access for the poor
• Regulators of financial and communication services
• Mobile operators vending mobile money products and services
• Relevant Government officials

Activities

1.      Keynote speeches from Academia, Government, Private sector and development partners focusing on sharing insights into the critical local and regional opportunities, trends as well as growth strategies relevant for the mobile money industry.

2.      Presentation of academic papers from researchers across the world focusing on mobile money

3.      Exhibitions of mobile money innovations in Kenya and beyond

Key note speakers

• Dr. BitangeNdemo, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communication – Kenya; ICT Policy Maker
• Prof. Crispus M. Kiamba, PS Ministry of higher education, Science and Technology – Kenya; Technology and Innovation Policy Maker
• Prof. TavneetSuri, Development Economist and Professor at MIT - USA
• Dr. Wolfgang Fengler, Lead Economist, World Bank Office, Nairobi – Kenya
• Dr. Guy Stuart, Microfinance Opportunities, Washington, D.C. and Fellow Harvard University – USA
• Dr. Olga Morawczynski, Project Manager, Financial Literacy Project, AppLab – Uganda
• Prof. Timothy Waema, Associate professor at University of Nairobi and ICT researcher

There will be panels to discuss the following:

-      Moving mobile money to the next level: discussions by private sector companies who are  rolling out mobile money related products

-      Regulating for the future: discussions by policy makers on how policy needs to evolve to create appropriate regulatory environment for the future

Sponsors

Gold: Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Kenya School of Monetary Studies

Silver: Ministry of Higher Education Science & Technology, Kenya Commercial Bank, Financial Services Deepening (FSD), National Council of Science and Technology (NCST),

Bronze:University of Nairobi, CIC Insurance Group Ltd

For further details

Website: http://ammrec.uonbi.ac.ke and

                http://conferences.uonbi.ac.ke/index.php/ammrec/ammrec-2012

Email address: ammrec@uonbi.ac.ke

Phone lines: +254732817586 or +254707161195