ADA Chair

Promoting academic excellence in inclusive finance

ADA co-sponsors a University Chair in Financial Law (Inclusive Finance) at the University of Luxembourg to leverage ADA’s decades-long practical experience for academic research and knowledge building in inclusive finance.

The success of financial inclusion largely depends on the regulatory and supervisory framework, which must be constantly adapted to the changing environment and new operators (money transfer companies, mobile phone operators, fintechs, etc.)in developing countries. 

To provide the necessary legal expertise, ADA, the Faculty of Law, Economics and Finance of the University of Luxembourg and the Luxembourgish Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs jointly sponsor the ADA Chair in Financial Law (Inclusive Finance).

Activities of the Chair  

—  Academic research in the field of law and regulation for inclusive finance, as evidenced by the publication of numerous scientific articles and books, which gives it international visibility.

—  Disseminating and sharing knowledge at annual fintech and research conferences organised by the Chair as well as at external events. For example, at an event parallel to the COP27 in November 2022, Professor Zetzsche presented a roadmap for the implementation of green and inclusive finance, developed in collaboration with AFI (Alliance for Financial Inclusion). 

—  Education:  the Chair offers an annual, two-week Certification Programme in Law and Regulation of Inclusive Finance at the University of Luxembourg  in partnership with ADA and the European Investment Bank Institute. The programme combines traditional financial law with inclusive finance and development policy topics such as social performance management, inclusive and sustainable finance, regulation, fintech, regtech and risk management. Each year, between 20 and 30 participants, mostly from developing countries, participate in the programme which mainly targets regulators, policymakers, professional associations and networks, practitioners, fintechs and researchers in the inclusive finance sector.

The current Chairholder

Professor Dirk Andreas Zetzsche has held the position of Chairholder since March 2016. He carries out research, provides academic and professional training and organises an annual research conference on inclusive and sustainable finance.