Inside the Finance and Development Workshop 8-9 May 2025

On May 8–9, 2025, the Rudolf Agricola School for Sustainable Development, University of Groningen, hosted the 7th annual Finance and Development Workshop, focusing on the rapid evolution of financial systems in the Global South and their impact on financial inclusion.

Co-organized by the Faculty of Economics and Business, the Rudolf Agricola School for Sustainable Development, the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, and Core-IPD, the event brought together researchers to share new insights—particularly on Africa.

Keynote speaker Jonathan Morduch (NYU Wagner) delivered a compelling talk titled “A Theory of Financial Inclusion”. Furthermore, academics presented research on household and SME finance, microfinance, financial intermediaries, and the political economy of finance. Highlights included:

• Mark Treurniet on cultural factors in empowerment programs

• Sandrine Kablan on bank stability and resource wealth

• Lukas Menkhoff on micro-entrepreneur finance experiments

• Lisa Spantig and Miri Stryjan on credit markets and collective decision-making

The event brought together researchers working towards the same goals and projects, giving existing research a boost or uncovering new perspectives. Collaborations were strengthened, and new partnerships were formed!