In a significant move to improve financial awareness in Jordan, the Association of Banks in Jordan (ABJ) launched the country’s first Financial Awareness Platform, FinApp.jo, on Tuesday. The platform aims to promote financial literacy and empower individuals with the knowledge to make informed financial decisions.
The initiative was unveiled in the presence of Adel Sharkas, Governor of the Central Bank of Jordan (CBJ), who emphasized the importance of financial literacy as the foundation for responsible financial behavior. Sharkas described the platform as a key part of the CBJ’s strategy to foster financial inclusion and encourage sound financial decision-making.
He also highlighted the success of the first National Financial Inclusion Strategy, which was launched in 2017. This strategy has already narrowed the gender gap in financial access from 53% to 22%. Building on this success, the CBJ’s second strategy for 2023-2028 focuses on areas such as savings, insurance, digital payments, and access to finance, with the goal of increasing financial inclusion to 65% by 2028 and further reducing the gender gap.
ABJ Chairman Bassem Khalil Salem called the platform a “groundbreaking initiative” aimed at enhancing financial literacy across all segments of Jordanian society. He noted that improved financial awareness directly supports financial inclusion, helping individuals and small businesses enter the formal economy, reducing the informal sector, promoting transparency, and contributing to economic growth.
ABJ Director General Maher Mahrouq explained that the platform addresses key challenges such as limited financial literacy and poor personal financial planning. The platform offers four main sections: an overview of the banking sector, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and financial technology.
Mahrouq also emphasized the collaborative nature of the platform, developed in partnership with the CBJ, local and international institutions, and banks. Plans are also in place to partner with Al Hussein Technical University to develop a financial literacy curriculum, which will be freely accessible online and offered as an elective course at the university in the future.
The launch event was attended by prominent figures, including Kuwaiti Ambassador to Jordan Hamad Rashid Al Mari, bank executives, and financial experts.
