The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, is partnering with the Pakistan Fintech Network (PFN) as an ecosystem partner to host the upcoming Financial Sector Regulatory Sandbox Workshop on October 2, 2025. The online session, organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Economy and Finance and supported by the Government of Korea, will run from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM PKT on Microsoft Teams.
The primary objective of the workshop is to create an inclusive dialogue between global experts, regulators, and private sector leaders about the evolving role of regulatory sandboxes in shaping financial innovation. With a strong focus on global experiences, the workshop will explore key private sector perspectives on regulatory sandbox application processes and cohort themes. Areas such as open banking, remittances, and merchant onboarding will be highlighted as crucial components of Pakistan’s emerging digital financial landscape.
By joining as an ecosystem partner, PFN reinforces its commitment to enabling collaboration across stakeholders while driving digital transformation in Pakistan’s financial ecosystem. The organization has consistently advocated for the adoption of technology-enabled solutions to strengthen financial inclusion, empower fintech players, and build a more robust and sustainable digital economy.
The regulatory sandbox model, which allows financial institutions, fintech startups, and innovators to test new products and services in a controlled environment under regulatory oversight, has gained significant global traction in recent years. For countries like Pakistan, where financial inclusion remains a national priority, sandboxes present an important opportunity to design, test, and scale digital solutions in a way that balances innovation with regulatory safeguards.
Through this workshop, participants will benefit from international best practices while also examining how regulatory sandboxes can be tailored to Pakistan’s unique market needs. With the presence of both global and local voices, the session aims to bridge knowledge gaps and spark actionable strategies that will accelerate the deployment of innovative digital financial services.
The event will not only provide a platform for exchanging ideas but will also act as a catalyst for advancing critical themes such as open banking frameworks that allow greater interoperability, efficient and cost-effective remittance services to support cross-border transactions, and streamlined merchant onboarding processes to strengthen e-commerce and digital payments adoption.
PFN’s participation as an ecosystem partner underscores its ongoing mission to champion collaboration across stakeholders in the financial services industry. The network remains focused on shaping a digitally empowered fintech ecosystem that benefits businesses, regulators, and end-users alike.
The Financial Sector Regulatory Sandbox Workshop marks another milestone in Pakistan’s journey toward strengthening financial inclusion and innovation. It highlights the importance of regulatory cooperation, private sector engagement, and global knowledge sharing in driving the next chapter of fintech growth in the country.
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