Dr. William Derban

Chair, Financial Inclusion Forum, Africa

Head, Digital Financial Services, Opportunity International

Dr. William Derban has spent the past 25 years providing financial solutions for those living in poverty. He currently serves as the Head of Digital Financial Services for Opportunity International, where he is responsible for generating innovative digital solutions to help the poor. William is also the convener and co-founder of the Financial Inclusion Forum Africa, a network of professionals passionate about promoting financial inclusion across Africa. He was formerly the Market Engagement Director for the Mobile for Humanitarian Innovation program at the GSMA and the Director for Strategic Partnerships and digital banking for Fidelity Bank Ghana. Before then he was the Head of Community Investment for Barclays Bank, responsible for Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. He sits on several financial inclusion-related boards and is a passionate speaker on global development and financial inclusion.

William has a PhD in Financial Inclusion and an MBA (Economic Development) from the UK and a 1st class honours degree in Economics from the University of Cape Coast. He lives in London with his wife and three children.