Grand Duchess Maria Teresa Shows Support for Luxembourg’s Inclusive Finance Ecosystem

On Monday 5 May 2025, Inclusive Finance Network Luxembourg (InFiNe) announced that it recently welcomed Luxembourg’s Grand Duchess Maria Teresa at an event that underlined the Grand Duchy’s status as a global centre for the inclusive finance sector, held at the Maison de la Microfinance in Luxembourg-Gare.

InFiNe stated that the event (held on Wednesday 30 April 2025) showcased the innovative work in inclusive finance and microfinance by nine Luxembourg organisations: Appui au Développement Autonome (ADA), Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI), European Microfinance Platform (e-MFP), Financing Innovation Tool (FIT), Inclusive Finance Network Luxembourg (InFiNe), Investment for Development (IforD), Microinsurance Network (MiN), Microlux SIS and Social Performance Task Force (SPTF).

Tom Pfeiffer, Chairman of the Board at InFiNe, together with Patrick Losch, Chairman of ADA, welcomed Grand Duchess Maria Teresa. Tom Pfeiffer said: "Your Royal Highness, your presence here today serves not only as inspiration but also as validation of our collective work. We know that behind your support lies a profound belief in the dignity of all people and their right to economic opportunity. This belief drives us all forward in our mission to ensure that financial services become truly accessible to everyone, especially the most vulnerable”.

According to InFiNe, the Grand Duchess, described as being a longstanding supporter of microfinance and other forms of combating global inequality, listened to brief presentations delivered by each of the nine Luxembourg-based organisations to explain their key activities and objectives. InFiNe added that Maison de la Microfinance serves as a dynamic hub for the country’s inclusive finance ecosystem, hosting a diverse range of internationally active institutions. Each of these organisations plays a “vital role” in tackling financial exclusion, both within Luxembourg and across developing and emerging economies. From microcredit and impact investment, to microinsurance and policy innovation, their combined efforts demonstrate the strength and synergy of a unique ecosystem. 

InFiNe noted that, together, these institutions exemplify the power of collaboration in driving inclusive finance forward, reinforcing Luxembourg’s position as a leading voice in building a more equitable financial future worldwide, a position for which Grand Duchess Maria Teresa has been fostering and advocating, for more than three decades: “Years ago, my dream was for Luxembourg to become a European - and indeed global - platform and example in microfinance. Looking at what we have accomplished together, what you have accomplished, I must say I am very proud of what Luxembourg has achieved today”.

InFiNe was founded in 2014 to stimulate financial inclusion as a key for poverty alleviation and the empowerment of low-income groups. InFiNe brings together 44 members, key stakeholders from the public, private and civil society sectors, creating a unique platform to help transform Luxembourg’s collective financial expertise into effective global deployment of inclusive finance initiatives.

Philippe Guichandut, Interim Director of InFiNe, said: "It is very important to mention that a network represents the ability to unite members from diverse backgrounds with a shared objective. Luxembourg is widely recognised around the world as a key player in financial inclusion”.

Inclusive finance refers to the provision of affordable financial services, such as banking, credit, insurance and savings, to individuals and businesses that have been excluded from traditional financial systems. Inclusive finance seeks to empower marginalised communities, foster entrepreneurship and promote economic growth while reducing income inequality.

According to the World Bank, 2.5 billion people around the world remain excluded from financial services. Most are in developing countries – but not all: more than thirteen million adult EU citizens still lack access to formal financial services.

The event reportedly highlighted the critical need for de-risking mechanisms to attract more investment into the inclusive and impact finance sectors. InFiNe's newly launched dedicated working group aims to develop its members' knowledge and capabilities in this area and to advocate for Luxembourg to set up its own de-risking mechanism to encourage greater private sector participation.

Several participants are reported to have emphasised the importance of listening to and understanding local contexts before designing financial solutions and to adapt the tools and responses.