On March 27, 2025, IBSUniversity hosted an informative session on “Entrepreneurial Success through Financial Inclusion”, which took place in Socrates Hall, featuring Mr. Trudi Egi, the Chief Executive Officer of MiBank, Papua New Guinea (PNG).

The event ran from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, and was one of many planned initiatives of the Student Entrepreneurship Program (STEP) organized by Ms. Palakurthi Harika and the School of Business and Management, under the leadership of Dr. Durga Prasad and Pro Vice-Chancellor Mr. Jobin Scaria, not to mention the continuous support of the Vice Chancellor.

Mr. Trudi Egi, a leader in the banking sector and MiBank CEO, provided an in-depth explanation on how financial services can support individuals and small businesses to prosper. Under his leadership, MiBank has been a key player in providing accessible financial solutions that cater to a wide range of customers; from rural farmers to urban entrepreneurs, these variety of customers are no strangers to various financial challenges.

Mr. Egi further explained how financial inclusion is creating tremendous opportunities for individuals who are traditionally excluded from the formal financial system. As Mr. Egi pointed out, financial inclusion goes beyond providing access to capital; it also involves offering financial education and support to enable sustainable business practices.

The dialogue further touched on the challenges and barriers that many entrepreneurs face when trying to access financial services. Mr. Egi discussed MiBank’s efforts to address these disparities by offering innovative products designed specifically for underserved communities.

One important lesson from the session was the realization that entrepreneurial success in PNG—and similar regions—requires a well-rounded approach. It is not enough to simply provide access to financial services; there must also be a concerted effort to build trust within communities, create awareness about available resources, and make sure that financial products are tailored to meet the diverse needs of entrepreneurs.

IBSUniversity continues to create platforms and space to cater to purposeful programmes that stimulate personal development in our students to build a better future for Papua New Guinea. The dialogue with Mr. Trudi Egi is one of the many initiatives that IBSUniversity staff and faculty members introduced to our students to understand the critical link between financial inclusion and entrepreneurial success.

This dialogue, overall, outlined how financial institutions like MiBank are playing a crucial role in shaping a more accessible and sustainable economic future for Papua New Guinea. The session provided an excellent platform for sharing knowledge, fostering new ideas, and encouraging meaningful discussions among students while continuing to inspire them to become leaders across various sectors in their future endeavors.

IBSU Marketing Department