Yet, despite the advances of the past decade, 1.4 billion adults globally remain unbanked — without access to a basic transaction account. The majority live in developing countries, and nearly half are women. In Sub-Saharan Africa, only 55% of adults have an account, while in fragile economies, the percentage can drop even lower. Meanwhile, over 200 million micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in emerging economies lack access to the financing they need to grow — a credit gap estimated at over $5.2 trillion annually.
Istanbul, 16 June 2025 — The World Business Angels Investment Forum (WBAF), an affiliated partner of the G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI), successfully convened its Financial Inclusion Conference 2025 at the prestigious Istanbul Chamber of Commerce today, under the theme “Activating Smart Capital for a More Inclusive Economy.”
The WBAF Financial Inclusion Conference 2025 is a landmark gathering under the umbrella of World Business Angel Investors Week, which last year engaged over 200,000 participants across 138 countries. This year’s conference reaffirmed WBAF’s commitment to fostering inclusive economic systems and accelerating access to finance through smart partnerships.
The conference brought together ministers, global investors, thought leaders, and entrepreneurs from around the world to advance dialogue and action around inclusive finance, startup acceleration, and smart capital deployment.
Baybars Altuntas, Co-chair of the Conference says “Financial inclusion is not a privilege. It is a right. And it is our shared responsibility to ensure that capital becomes a tool of empowerment, not exclusion.Let’s activate smart capital — the kind that lifts economies, nurtures innovation, and fuels purpose-driven growth around the world.”
Key Highlights:
- Opening Addresses were delivered by Conference Co-Chairs Baybars Altuntas, Executive Chairman of WBAF, and Ozlem Oktay, GPFI Lead in the G20 and IMF Department of Türkiye’s Ministry of Treasury and Finance, followed by welcoming remarks from Ibrahim Doğan Salman, Board Member of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce.
- A special video message from Her Majesty Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, UN Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance, underscored the urgency of prioritizing financial health in the G20 agenda.
- The keynote address by Mr. Khalid Rashid Al Zayani, Honorary Chairman of Al Zayani Investments and WBAF Bahrain Country Chair, emphasized the importance of governance in family-owned businesses, highlighting the strategic separation of ownership and management for long-term sustainability.
- A Presidential Roundtable moderated by Mr. Altuntas explored innovative financing mechanisms and the startup ecosystem’s role in shaping resilient global economies. Speakers included Dr. Paul Doany, former CEO of Turk Telekom and Rector of WBAF Business School.
- The Global Fundraising Stage (GFRS Istanbul) featured promising startup pitches from South Africa, UAE, and Türkiye, connecting founders with investors for global capital access.
- A fireside chat between Mr. Altuntas and Prof. Dr. Gerhard Hrebicek, President of the European Brand Institute, focused on how branding enhances startup valuations and attracts sustainable investment.
- Afternoon roundtables addressed the power of international partnerships in building startup ecosystems and the role of incubation and innovation hubs in attracting global capital. Panelists included Vitali Polekhin (Russia), Amna Razzaq (USA), and Prof. Recep Bildik (Türkiye).
- Financial Inclusion Briefings featured presentations from JCI Global President Ismail Haznedar and Baybars Altuntas, introducing the World Chamber of Entrepreneurs for Economic Development (WenCHAM) — a new WBAF initiative aiming to elevate entrepreneurial brand value as a driver for inclusive growth.
- The Country Insights session showcased national strategies from Cameroon and Georgia on financial inclusion, innovation, and access to finance.
- The day concluded with the Traditional Bell Ceremony of the World Business Angel Investors Week 2025, celebrating WBAF’s global movement to mobilize smart capital for a more equitable financial future. The event’s outcomes will be submitted to the G20 GPFI Committee to contribute to policymaking at the highest global level.
An exclusive VIP Reception and Dinner was hosted in the evening to honour international delegates and speakers.
