2025 Global Inclusive Growth Summit

This year’s program is designed to go deep and bring you the topics you need to know as leaders in this space. From new thinking on financial health and the role of innovation, effective philanthropy, digital transformation and trust in the morning, to protecting individuals and small business from cyber threats, growth opportunities of the circular economy, and how AI is transforming organizations in the afternoon.

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A fast-paced kickoff setting the tone for a day of unexpected insights and real connections.

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A special announcement from the Kingdom of Bahrain and Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth that signals the power of cross-border partnerships.

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The global middle class is growing — and the next billion consumers will shape the next decade of markets, movements, and innovation. This session dives into who they are, where they live, how old they are, and what they’re spending on. From generational shifts to geographic trends, we’ll explore the data driving demand and what it means for inclusive growth worldwide.

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How entrepreneurs are tapping digital tools and creative capital to thrive in a fast-changing economy. This panel will discuss digital innovations that expand reach across the United States to meet the demand on small business lending and opportunity. Panelists will discuss new technology tools, AI and other innovations that support that expanded reach.

Through its Global Gateway initiative and expanding network of partnerships, Europe is making a strategic bet on inclusive, sustainable development around the world. This conversation will explore how institutions and industry can work together to build lasting infrastructure, shape the digital future, and unlock opportunity across continents — all while navigating the real-world dynamics of collaboration, investment, and impact.

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Philanthropy is evolving — shaped by lived experience, cultural influence, and a deeper commitment to justice. This conversation explores what it means to give with purpose, how storytelling can shift power and perception, and how today’s changemakers are challenging traditional models of generosity to build something more inclusive, authentic, and impactful.

Financial health is about more than access — it’s about agency, resilience, and long-term security. In this conversation, two leading voices explore how financial systems can better serve people by combining digital tools, behavioral insights, and bold advocacy to put consumers’ well-being at the center.

Building on a key theme of the day, this panel will explore how fintech innovators are going beyond access to create real, lasting financial health at scale. Through candid insights and bold ideas, CEOs and finance leaders will discuss what it takes to design products that not only include—but truly empower—people. From remittances to credit, insurance to savings, this is straight talk from the front lines of building financial equity in a rapidly evolving digital economy.

A new generation of investors is challenging the long-held belief that financial returns and social impact are mutually exclusive. This session explores how innovative investment strategies are delivering both profit and purpose—channeling capital toward solutions that expand financial inclusion, empower entrepreneurs, and drive sustainable growth. Through real-world examples and bold vision, this conversation will highlight how capital can be a force for good without compromising performance.

Success in today’s high-stakes world isn’t just about playing the cards you’re dealt — it’s about understanding power, timing, and purpose. Drawing lessons from the poker table to the boardroom, this conversation explores how leaders manage risk, make bold bets, and play the long game. It’s a look at what it takes to lead with conviction, navigate uncertainty, and use influence not just to win — but to drive meaningful change.

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Mentorship is more than advice — it’s about the relationships that shape us, the trust that builds over time, and the strengths we bring that can’t be taught. This conversation explores how real empowerment happens through connection, how leadership is often forged in quiet moments of support, and why showing up as your full self can be the most powerful thing you do.

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As our online and offline worlds converge, trust in digital systems is breaking down. From fragmented platforms to rising polarization, today’s digital spaces are failing to deliver on their public promise. This conversation explores how we can rebuild trust and design a digital future rooted in agency, connection, and shared purpose. Panelists will offer bold visions for what’s next, the systemic changes required to get there, and the role leaders across sectors must play in shaping more inclusive and resilient digital spaces.

Small businesses aren’t just engines of economic growth—they’re anchors of local community and culture. This session explores how entrepreneurs can grow their businesses while staying grounded in their values, supporting their communities, and protecting their own mental and emotional well-being. From leveraging data to make smarter decisions to maintaining resilience in uncertain markets, this conversation offers practical tools and inspiration for building a business that lasts—and lifts others along the way.

For small businesses, digital tools can unlock new customers, smarter operations, and global growth—but they also bring real cybersecurity risks. Nearly half of small and medium-sized businesses worldwide have already experienced a cyberattack. This session offers practical insights from business leaders and security experts on how small businesses can protect themselves, even with limited resources. It’s a conversation about what small business owners need to know now—and the steps they can take to grow with confidence.

As AI transforms every industry, Drue Kataoka reveals why we’re entering a new era of leadership—AI-powered leadership—where vision isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s everything. In this high-impact session, she challenges leaders to move beyond words and PowerPoints, and instead embrace the Visual AI tools and mindset to ideate faster, communicate clearer, and lead more powerfully. How can leaders train their “vision muscle”? What are the tools and workflows that unlock superhuman clarity, speed, and influence? From prototyping with generative AI to scaling your brand globally through multilingual avatars, Kataoka delivers tangible takeaways and hands-on strategies to lead in the age of AI. If you’re still outsourcing AI to your IT team, you’re already behind.

Forget the jargon—this session cuts through the hype to focus on what really matters as digital assets and blockchain reshape how, where, and for whom money moves. From remittances to financial inclusion, we’ll explore how these technologies are being used today to solve real problems, and what it takes to build trust, transparency, and long-term value in the digital financial ecosystem.

Cyber threats are no longer just a technology issue—they’re a central risk to global economies, critical infrastructure, and public trust. This session will unpack the current threat landscape and explore how organizations can build resilience in the face of growing cyberattacks. With insights from across industry and intelligence, the conversation will highlight what leaders need to know now to protect people, systems, and economic stability. Please note this panel is on the record.

As the global economy digitizes, the gap between those with strong cyber defenses and those without is widening—threatening both security and growth. This session explores why cybersecurity must be viewed as a driver of economic resilience and inclusive development. Leaders from the public and private sectors will discuss how to close the cyber divide by investing in trust, infrastructure, and global collaboration.

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From fashion to waste to tech, circularity is no longer a niche concept—it’s a growing business imperative to maximize the value of our resources. This session brings together leaders rethinking how we produce, consume, and design with the future in mind. Through bold ideas and real-world models, they’ll explore how regenerative practices can drive both sustainability and long-term business value.

The rise of the creator economy is transforming how influence is built, monetized, and mobilized. This session explores how creators are shaping markets, driving movements, and building brands with purpose and reach. From financial empowerment to cultural impact, we’ll look at what it means to lead in an era where content is currency—and creators are catalysts for change.

Rural America is full of untapped potential—and the communities making it work are redefining what economic growth looks like. This session explores what’s actually working in rural regions today, from innovative investment models to homegrown entrepreneurship. With a focus on results, resilience, and relevance, the conversation will surface practical strategies and bold ideas for scaling local solutions into national impact.

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In today’s environment of constant change—economic shifts, rapid tech adoption, evolving stakeholder expectations—CEOs are being asked to lead differently. This conversation brings together two of the private sector’s most trusted strategic advisors to share what they’re hearing from business leaders across industries: what’s top of mind, how leadership is evolving, and what it takes to steer organizations with clarity and confidence in uncertain times.

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The global development landscape is changing—driven by new players, new priorities, and a renewed urgency for results. This session brings together leaders who are rewriting the rules, forging new partnerships, and challenging outdated paradigms. Together, they’ll explore what it takes to unlock sustainable, inclusive development in an increasingly complex world.

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As artificial intelligence becomes more powerful and pervasive, the stakes are rising for how it’s designed, deployed, and governed. This session brings together leaders across technology, policy, and research to explore what it takes to build AI systems that are transparent, equitable, and aligned with human values. From corporate accountability to global standards, the conversation will focus on putting people—not just profit—at the center of the AI revolution.

With the next billion consumers coming online—and a surge of innovation across finance, commerce, and technology—Africa is leading one of the most dynamic economic transformations in the world. In this conversation, two leaders at the forefront of this shift explore how public-private collaboration is unlocking new markets, empowering small businesses, and building digital infrastructure that serves real people. From mobile money to data-driven partnerships, they’ll reflect on the scale of the opportunity—and what it takes to lead through it.

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