JUNE 15 – The Africa Fintech Festival concluded yesterday in Naivasha, with industry players reiterating the need for smart regulation, green technology, and agritech.
The four-day event, a collaboration between the Association of Fintechs in Kenya (AFK), AFIK, and the African Fintech Network (AFN), is expected to see next-generation entrepreneurs, investors, regulators, and Gen Z, among other stakeholders, chart the next stage of advancement for the industry across key African markets, as well as increase collaborations internationally.
‘Collaboration, not competition’ has been the rallying call from key Fintech leaders in the country, as well as the government, as they reiterated the importance of standardisation and collaboration in driving the sector’s growth across the continent.
The second day of proceedings featured insights ranging from financial inclusion and cross-border transactions, the relationship and collaboration opportunities between banking institutions and fintechs, the role of women in driving fintech growth, as well as empowering innovation through local funding.
“This year’s edition of the Africa Fintech Festival, AFF, in Kenya aspires to be the premier platform for shaping the future of finance in Africa. By bringing together diverse perspectives and fostering collaboration, the festival aims to accelerate the adoption of Fintech solutions that address the unique challenges and opportunities on the continent,” Ali Hussein, Chairman of AFK, VP Eastern African Region, and Executive Board Member, Africa Fintech Network.
The Africa Fintech Festival has been a cornerstone for industry leaders, tech enthusiasts, innovators, and policymakers alike since 2018, with previous editions held in Nigeria, Uganda, and Mauritius.
This year’s edition is projected to inject over Sh20 million into Naivasha’s budding economy in direct spending over the next three days.
There are more than 230 global partners, including Mastercard, Safaricom, Old Mutual, Experian MicroAnalytics, Credit Info, and Ecobank, among others. Perhaps a clear indication of the collaboration goodwill, Fintech stakeholders from across Africa were also in attendance, led by the President of the Africa Fintech Network, AFN, Segun Aina, the president of the Fintech Association of South Africa, FINASA, Kagisho Dichabe, and his Botswana counterpart, Tavonga Muchuchuti.
Others include representatives from the Bank of Ghana, the Central Bank of Egypt, and Meriem Yacoubi, Partner, Digital Transformation and Cybersecurity, Morocco.
