AKMI successfully organized the Microfinance Karnataka Summit 2026 at Taj West End, Bengaluru, bringing together policymakers, regulators, industry leaders, and stakeholders from the microfinance sector.
The summit commenced with a welcome address by Mr. N. Venkatesh, Chairman, AKMI, followed by the inauguration of the program by the AKMI Executive Committee members through the ceremonial lighting of the lamp. Mr. V. N. Hegde, CEO, AKMI, welcomed Mr. Dharmendra Ramjibhai Bagada, DGM, Department of Supervision, RBI, Mumbai. Mr. N. Venkatesh, Chairman, AKMI felicitated Dr. Vishal R, IAS, Secretary, Finance Department (Fiscal Reforms), Government of Karnataka.
The summit featured presentations by Mr. Pankaj Naik, Director, India Ratings, on the NBFC Outlook and Mrs. Shruti Joshi, Head of Analytics – MFI, Equifax, on Credit in the State of Karnataka.
Two panel discussions were held:
Panel Discussion 1: “Microfinance & Inclusive Growth – Driving Jobs and Rural Economies” explored the role of microfinance in employment generation, strengthening micro-enterprises, and supporting rural livelihoods in Karnataka. The session was moderated by Prof. M. S. Sriram (Faculty – IIM Bangalore), and featured Mr. Jiji Mammen, ED & CEO- Sa-Dhan, Mr. Vivekanand N. Salimath, Chairman- IDF Financial Services, Mr. Anil Kumar S.S., CEO -SKDRDP BC Trust, and Mr. Pankaj Naik, Director -India Ratings.
Panel Discussion 2: “Understanding the New Microfinance Customer” focused on evolving customer needs and digital adoption in the microfinance sector. The session was moderated by Ms. Shantheri Mallaya, Editor, Economic Times and included Mr. Ganesh Narayanan, MD – CreditAccess Grameen Ltd., Mr. Anand Rao, MD- Chaitanya India Fin Credit Pvt. Ltd., and Mr. Jagadish B. Ramadugu, MD – Pragati Finserv Pvt. Ltd.
As part of the summit, AKMI Executive Committee Members felicitated Padma Shri Aloysius P. Fernandez, a pioneer of the Self-Help Group (SHG) movement, Founder of AKMI and SRFS, and Secretary of MYRADA, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to financial inclusion and rural development. The summit also felicitated Mr. Samit Ghosh, Founder and Former Managing Director of Ujjivan Financial Services Limited, and Mr. Udaya Kumar, Former Managing Director of Credit Access Grameen Limited, for their significant contributions to the growth and development of the microfinance sector in India.The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Shantha Kumar K, Vice Chairman, AKMI.
