The Central Asian Microfinance Forum 2026 in Almaty brought together more than 500 representatives from the financial sector, investors and industry experts to discuss the future of microfinance in the region. Asian Credit Fund (ACF) was one of the Forum’s general partners.
A key part of the programme was the panel discussion, “The Future of Microfinance in Central Asia: Insights from Market Leaders,” moderated by Zhanna Zhakupova, Chair of ACF’s Management Board. The panel explored how the microfinance sector is evolving, the growing role of technology, and what it will take to achieve sustainable and profitable growth. The session drew strong interest from the audience and received positive feedback from Forum participants.
Natalia Silchenko, ACF’s Finance Director, led a masterclass on “Financial Risks: How to Make MFIs Attractive to International Funds.” The practical focus of the session attracted a full audience and sparked a lively discussion about financial risk management and what international investors look for when working with MFIs.
Another important milestone for ACF was joining the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Code, a global EBRD initiative aimed at improving access to finance for women entrepreneurs. Banks in Kazakhstan have already joined the initiative, and ACF is one of the first three MFIs in the country to join.
Supporting women is already an important part of ACF’s business model. Women currently account for 58% of our clients and 78% of our approximately 600 employees. Women are also represented at the corporate governance level: two of the seven members of our Supervisory Board are independent women directors, while women make up 50% of our Management Board.
ACF was also recognised at the Forum with an award for “Best MFI in Corporate Governance.”
For ACF, the Forum was more than an opportunity to share our experience and expertise. It was also a chance to contribute to the broader conversation about where microfinance in Central Asia is heading — towards a sector that is more technology-driven, responsible and focused on the long-term development of entrepreneurs.