The Middle East has emerged as a dynamic hub for fintech innovation, driven by regional economic strategies that prioritize digital transformation, financial inclusion, and diversification from oil-dependent revenue streams.
The industry is accelerating rapidly, fueled by an influx of capital, progressive regulatory frameworks, and burgeoning digital adoption among the population.
To help industry stakeholders keep up with this fast-evolving space, a range of high-profile fintech events are being hosted across the region in the coming months, offering participants the opportunity to gain insights, make connections, and learn about the latest trends and innovations.
Here are 17 of the top upcoming fintech events in the Middle East.
Seamless Saudi Arabia 2023
September 04 – 05, 2023
Riyadh Front, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Seamless is a multi-brand exhibition, with over 30,000 annual attendees and a world leading strategic conference. The conference covers areas of fintech, payments, retail, e-commerce, home delivery and digital marketing in the format of presentations, panel discussions and roundtables – hosted by regional and international experts.
The exhibition welcomes hundreds of market leading industry players from banks, exchange houses, insurance, telcos, merchants, enterprise, government, and tech startups, all looking to procure and collaborate with the latest tech and services on the market.
This year’s Saudi Arabia edition will take place on September 04 and 05 at Riyadh Front in Riyadh.
See more details here.
Finnovex Middle East 2023
September 05 – 06, 2023
Conrad Dubai, Dubai, UAE
Finnovex Middle East 2023, the 20th global edition of the summit, will take place on September 05 and 06, 2023, at the prestigious Conrad Dubai, UAE. The event promises to offer the banking industry an opportunity to reimagine business models and introduce customer-centric products, and bring together industry leaders and experts to address the challenges, risks, and opportunities brought forth by the fintech revolution.
More than just a conference, Finnovex Middle East aims to serve as a catalyst for change in the future of the financial industry. With a keen focus on innovation, digital advancements, and cutting-edge technologies, such as hyper-personalized banking, AI, automation, open banking, data analytics, blockchain, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and digital payments, this summit will equip attendees with valuable insights to redefine their business strategies.
Spotlight topics this year include generative AI, data analytics and predictive modeling, smart contracts and decentralized finance (DeFi), paytech, open banking and APIs, banking-as-a-service (BaaS), cybersecurity and data privacy.
Register now.
International Crypto, Blockchain & Metaverse Expo
September 06 – 08, 2023
Festival Arena, Dubai Festival City Al Badia Boulevard Dubai, Dubai, UAE
The 2023 International Crypto, Blockchain & Metaverse (ICBM) Expo will take place on September 06 and 07, 2023, at the Festival Arena, Dubai Festival City, Al Badia Boulevard, Dubai, UAE.
ICBM Expo is set to be the most significant exhibition to date, bringing together exhibitors, specialists, traders, and enthusiasts from all around the globe. Supported by Dubai Future Foundation and Smart Dubai, the event will offer a platform for top companies in the cryptocurrency, blockchain and metaverse industries to converge, showcasing the latest offerings and providing vital information about smart and secure business and investment opportunities.
Twenty selected startups will have the prestigious opportunity to pitch their ideas in front of industry-leading organizations and investors, gaining valuable exposure and potential partnerships.
Participants will get to discover a plethora of altcoins, explore cutting-edge blockchain platforms, get up-to-speed with the latest trends in the cryptocurrency industry and engage with top-notch investors.
Global Tech Innovation Summit
September 26 – 27, 2023
Dubai, UAE
The Global Tech Innovation Summit is an annual event that brings together industry leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, and tech enthusiasts to explore the latest trends and developments in technology. This gathering is a must-attend for those passionate about crypto, blockchain, metaverse, digital assets, Web 3.0, cybersecurity, AI, and emerging tech.
This year’s event will feature a diverse agenda with keynote speeches, fireside chats, panel discussions, and networking opportunities. Distinguished speakers, industry titans, innovative entrepreneurs, discerning investors, and tech enthusiasts from around the globe will unite to explore and influence the trajectory of cutting-edge technology, share their wisdom and experiences, and discuss the latest trends and developments in the world of tech.
Blockchain Economy Dubai Summit
October 02 – 05, 2023
Le Méridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre Airport Road Dubai, Dubai, UAE
The Blockchain Economy Dubai Summit, one of the world’s largest blockchain conference networks, units key players in the crypto industry and experts every year to redefine the future of finance.
The 8th edition of the summit will take place over two days in Dubai on October 04 and 05, 2023, at Le Méridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre, offering extensive networking opportunities and participation from more than 85 countries.
The summit actively encourages inclusive and thorough exploration of the potential synergies between blockchain, AI, cryptocurrencies, seamless payments, metaverse, Web 3.0, decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs), DeFi, and non-fungible tokens (NFTs). By hosting insightful discussions led by a wide variety of industry leaders, this summit serves as a catalyst for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and the successful implementation of transformative technologies. The ultimate goal is to drive the adoption and integration of these innovations into the global economy.
5th Middle East Enterprise AI & Analytics Summit Doha
October 05, 2023
Mandarin Oriental, Doha, Qatar
In the rapidly evolving business landscape of today, the adoption of AI technologies is a necessary survival tactic for organizations. Improved data-driven decision-making, increased operational efficiency, customer personalization, process automation, and the transition to an AI future are now critical necessities.
Aligning with Qatar’s National AI Strategy, the 5th Middle East Enterprise AI & Analytics Summit (MEEAI) is designed to cultivate open discussions and collaborations. The event seeks to encourage the application of AI and analytics within enterprises, enabling them to derive valuable insights, make informed decisions, and optimize business processes.
It will also aim to facilitate business-to-business (B2B) collaborations, striving to ensure transparency, fairness, and accountability when using AI, to avert biases and adverse impacts.
Furthermore, the event will provide professionals with an opportunity to engage with peers and solution providers who share similar interests and challenges in integrating AI and analytics into their work. Participants will gain firsthand information, experiences, use cases, and a framework for responsible AI adoption.
Fintech Forward 2023
October 10 – 12, 2023
TBA, Bahrain
Under the patronage of the Central Bank of Bahrain, the inaugural Fintech Forward 2023 (FF23) event will be held in Bahrain between October 10 and October 12, 2023.
The event will bring together global and regional fintech companies, financial institutions, investors, academics, thought leaders, and industry experts to discuss the latest trends and advancements in the fintech realm. FF23 will also feature a host of immersive digital experiences, innovative activations, and knowledge-sharing sessions.
The upcoming event aims to further solidify the kingdom as a destination for all things fintech, encouraging idea generation and investment support through impactful conversations and sessions tackling themes across three key pillars: innovation, regulation, and investment.
Register here.
Expand North Star Dubai
October 15 – 18, 2023
Dubai Harbour, Dubai, UAE
Across four days, Expand North Star Dubai will present some of the world’s best startups from over 100 countries, welcome 1,000 venture capital (VC) firms to raise funds and scout for their portfolio, and deliver unprecedented content program debating the big stories of 2023, including a flash storm of generative AI startups, and 70+ unicorn founders on stage give their opinions.
Hosted by Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy and set to take place from October 15 to 18, 2023 at the Dubai Harbour, Expand North Star Dubai will aim to present a new creative format to extend its engagements with tech leaders, VCs, unicorns, scaleups, startups, and key stakeholders in the tech ecosystem.
See more details here.
Future Blockchain Summit 2023
October 15 – 18, 2023
Dubai Harbour, Dubai, UAE
Future Blockchain Summit, the MENA region’s most immersive large-scale blockchain event, is moving to Dubai Harbour from October 15 to 18, 2023, and is revamping with a new concept designed to embolden the disruptors, empower the change-makers, and inspire the innovators of the Web 3.0, blockchain, crypto, NFTs, metaverse and gaming community.
Over four days at the Future Blockchain Summit, industry leaders will leverage countless networking opportunities, gain insights from a power-packed agenda, pitch for growth funding in the Supernova Challenge as well as the Investors Program and Forum, become experts in Academic Masterclasses, and join the action in a Web 3.0 Gaming Showdown.
See more details here.
Fintech Surge 2023
October 15 – 18, 2023
Dubai Harbour, Dubai, UAE
Fintech Surge 2023, the premier hub for fintech entrepreneurs, buyers, innovators, investors, and regulators, will take place from October 15 to 18, 2023, at Dubai Harbour, Dubai, UAE.
This year’s event will focus on embedded finance, customer experience and benchmarking global fintech strategies. Participants will witness the financial industry’s biggest tech revolutions in the fields of paytech, insurtech, regtech, wealth and asset management, and digital banking, presented by over 100 globally leading financial services companies and the most disruptive startups.
The event will host over 100 path-breaking talks by global regulators, financial institutions, and unicorns, redefining fintech strategies in the region. Through these talks, attendees will gain invaluable insights that will shape the future of fintech adoption and client satisfaction in the Middle East.
Moreover, Fintech Surge offers targeted 1000+ startup meetings with tech buyers and investors, providing an opportunity for immediate business impact. This setting facilitates meaningful connections, empowering startups to showcase their innovations to potential buyers and investors, leading to potential collaborations and partnerships.
See more details here.
Embedded Finance MENA – Dubai
October 15 – 18, 2023
Dubai Harbour, Dubai, UAE
Fintech Surge is presenting Embedded Finance MENA, the new annual gathering for the region’s burgeoning Embedded Finance ecosystem.
This new platform is designed to foster essential global and regional strategic partnerships and alliances, matching businesses and brands with suppliers of the latest embedded finance enabling distribution models, and the banks that will play a core role in facilitating the embedded processes.
Join the event at Dubai Harbour in October 2023, to unlock the potential of Embedded Finance and build the economies of the future.
Register now.
GITEX Global 2023
October 16 – 20, 2023
Dubai World Trade Center, Dubai, UAE
The GITEX Global 2023, one of the world’s largest and most inclusive technology and startup events, is set to convene at the Dubai World Trade Center, UAE, from October 16 to 20. The gathering will bring together influential ecosystems from around the globe to propel advancements in business, economy, society, and culture through the driving force of innovation.
Coming on the heels of a record-breaking 2022 edition, GITEX Global 2023 will mark the event’s 43rd edition, promising an even grander display of innovative prowess. This year’s event is set to offer an immersive platform for tech enthusiasts and will showcase the transformative capabilities of future technologies such as 6G, AI and the metaverse.
The event will also feature two new co-located shows – GITEX IMPACT and Future Urbanism –, bringing the total to 10 co-located events. This development aims to foster a hyper-targeted audience distribution from diverse tech sectors including AI, cybersecurity, telecoms, mobility and sustainability tech, enhancing the opportunities for participants to connect with trade buyers worldwide and creating a dynamic environment for sourcing new solutions and partnerships.
Get involved here.
AiEverything
October 16 – 20, 2023
Dubai World Trade Center, Dubai, UAE
AiEverything, one of the world’s largest and most influential events dedicated to AI, will be hosted this year at the Dubai World Trade Center from October 16 to 20.
The event, patronized by the UAE Prime Minister and hosted by the UAE’s Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy & Remote Work Application Office, aims to advance understanding of AI technology and its long-term potential, and provide a platform for government and C-Level executives to draw on the expertise of leading experts and engage with enterprises driving transformation through the adoption of AI.
Co-located with GITEX Global, Global DevSlam, XVERSE, and Fintech Surge, AiEverything’s 2023 edition will occupy over 210,000 sqft across 10 halls, accommodating over 170,000 trade buyers, 200 dedicated AI speakers, and 130+ hours of educational content. The event is expected to bring together large enterprises, public sector entities, and AI practitioners, fostering a global AI community navigating the maze of technology transforming business and society.
The agenda will feature insights from revenue-bearing case studies, debates on ethics, governance, bias, and the future of work. It promises five days of international networking, learning, and infinite business opportunities, firmly positioning itself at the vanguard of the global AI conversation.
Blockchain Life 2023
October 24 – 25, 2023
Festival Arena, Dubai Festival City, Dubai, UAE
Dubai Festival City’s Festival Arena will host the Blockchain Life 2023 Forum on October 24 and 25, bringing together prominent industry players, government representatives, international business heads, investors, and promising startups. The forum is expected to draw a premium crowd of 7,000 participants from over 100 countries.
Blockchain Life 2023 aims to shape the future of cryptocurrencies. The forum is set to feature over 80 leaders from the crypto industry, sharing insightful analytics, insider information, and visionary ideas about imminent bull run trends and other related subjects.
The event will offer numerous attractions, including an exposition featuring over 100 leading companies; a startup pitch competition with Tier-1 funds as the jury; the highly esteemed Blockchain Life Awards 2023; and a unique online app called Networking 2.0, providing opportunities for establishing contacts and exploring job opportunities in the crypto industry. Attendees will also have the chance to network quickly in the Speed Networking area.
Qatar Tech Summit
October 27, 2023
Doha, Qatar
Qatar Tech Summit is an international program featuring global speakers and partners passionate about the future of Qatar. The central theme of the global summit is to “catalyze entrepreneurial and business ecosystems in emerging markets”.
The event is a multi-year initiative of the Global Startup Ecosystem which brings together hundreds of entrepreneurs, investors, digital marketers and creatives together in to targeted cities around the world to accelerate tech, innovation and economic development within the host country.
Saudi Arabia Tech Summit
October 31, 2023
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
On October 31, 2023, the city of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, will host the Saudi Tech Summit, an exclusive event that’s set to bring together a diverse crowd of future tech investors, entrepreneurs, and influencers from across the Middle East.
The Saudi Tech Summit’s main objective is to address the world’s greatest challenges in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by harnessing the power of emerging technologies. The event will strive to serve as an educational platform, teaching attendees the essentials of future technologies such as AI, virtual reality (VR), nanotechnology, space tech, and blockchain. It will delve into how these technologies can be effectively utilized for social impact and the strategies to develop startups centered around them.
The summit will also provide a unique opportunity to meet and connect with the pillars of Saudi Arabia’s tech ecosystem. Over 100 ecosystem enablers, including investors, managers of tech innovation hubs, accelerators, and incubators, will showcase their programs and share their unique perspectives.
6th Middle East Enterprise AI & Analytics Summit 2023 UAE
November 02, 2023
Dubai Mall, Dubai, UAE
The 6th Middle East Enterprise AI & Analytics Summit will take place on November 02, 2023 in the city of Dubai, UAE. The summit, which resonates with national initiatives like the UAE Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031, aims to position the UAE as a global hub for AI and its integration across key sectors.
The summit will offer professionals a space to engage with peers and relevant solution providers who share similar interests and face similar challenges in integrating AI and analytics into their work. Attendees will gain first-hand information, experiences, use cases, and a framework for responsible AI adoption.
