Events

Top 17 Fintech Events to Attend in MENA in H1 2024

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, characterized by a young and tech-savvy population, high Internet penetration rates and economic growth, has witnessed a robust growth of its fintech industry in recent years, with funding increasing by approximately 36% annually from 2017 and 2022, according to McKinsey.

By 2025, the consultancy estimates that fintech revenue in MENA and Pakistan could increase almost threefold from US$1.5 billion in 2022 to an amount between US$3.5 billion and US$4.5 billion. That growth will be driven by rising Internet and smartphone penetration, government support and regulatory initiatives, as well as growing usage from the region’s large population of unbanked and underbanked.

As the fintech sector continues to grow and evolve in MENA, organizers are hosting a number of large-scale events to showcase the region’s latest innovations and fastest-growing players.

For industry stakeholders looking to keep up with this fast-moving space, we’ve curated a list of the top 17 fintech events taking place in H1 2024 in MENA, focusing on must-attend gatherings that are expected to bring together large crowds of fintech innovators, decision makers and regulators to discuss the trajectory of the fintech sector, emerging trends and arising opportunities. In case we missed an important one, send us a message.

E-Invoicing Exchange Summit Dubai 2024

February 13 – 14, 2024

Dubai, UAE

The Middle East is navigating a swiftly evolving landscape in E-Invoicing and VAT reporting. In response to the heightened demand and to concentrate on the advancements in this region, the second edition of E-Invoicing Exchange Summit is scheduled for February 13 and 14, 2024, in Dubai.

The E-Invoicing Exchange Summit is THE platform to get in-depth information on recent developments and future trends in the field of global interoperability, public procurement, clearance models, and upcoming E-Invoicing mandates. Participants benefit from cutting edge keynote speeches, panels and round tables, and discussions with global thought leaders.

IDC Middle East CIO Summit 2024

February 21-22, 2024

Grand Hyatt Dubai, Dubai, UAE

The IDC Middle East CIO Summit 2024, scheduled to take place on February 21 and 22, at the Grand Hyatt in Dubai, aims to address the significant impact of rapid advances in artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, particularly the emergence of generative AI (GenAI). With GenAI accelerating the adoption of AI, leading organizations worldwide are already exploring and investing in its various applications.

The summit is positioned as a crucial platform to empower IT leaders, striving to help IT professionals understand their evolving roles in the AI-infused landscape. The event will gather influential tech leaders, experts, and visionaries in the region to discuss and share best practices for navigating the evolving IT landscape in the era of AI.

Attendees can expect discussions on a range of topics, from digital infrastructure orchestration to cybersecurity policies, reflecting the diverse and comprehensive nature of the event. They will gain insights into persuasive communication techniques, explore new product offerings, and stay abreast of the latest services and solutions to enhance their tech stack and strategy.

Discussions will cover diverse topics such as:

Orchestrating digital infrastructure
DevOps strategies
Predictive analytics strategy
Enterprise IT transformation
Leveraging low-code/no-code platforms
Omni-experience transformation
Cybersecurity policies, regulations and compliance
Technology buyer trends
Application modernization strategies
AI and the tech revolution: are your foundations ready for change?
Effective hybrid cloud deployment
Sustainability is not just a CEO agenda: how do you measure It?
Creating a digital resilient enterprise
Tech architectures for success

Web Summit Qatar

February 26 – 29, 2024

Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC), Doha, Qatar

Web Summit Qatar will make its debut in 2024, promising to deliver an international event attended by together thousands of entrepreneurs, investors, and leaders in the technology sector.

Taking place from February 26 to 29, 2024, at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC) in Doha, Qatar, this new addition to the Web Summit series will aim to connect the emerging generation of founders in the Middle East with a global audience, including investors, journalists, customers, and partners, deliver an impressive lineup of speakers ready to share their expertise, and offer unparalleled networking opportunities with fellow entrepreneurs.

One of the key attractions will be the diverse range of experts from various fields who will converge at Web Summit Qatar. Attendees will be able to engage with tech enthusiasts, sharing ideas within their industries, meeting potential business partners, and seeking advice from experienced individuals.

Web Summit Qatar will also offer an educational stage featuring talks, masterclasses, and roundtables. These sessions will be designed to empower attendees to expand their professional skillsets and bring valuable insights back to their workplaces.

7th Middle East Banking AI and Analytics Summit 2024

February 29, 2024

Dusit Thani Dubai, Dubai, UAE

With the advent of AI, there has been a significant structural shift in the banking industry, not only in the MENA region but across the globe. As technology evolves, the banking industry will see further advancements, with a focus on more sophisticated applications and a continued emphasis on improving customer journey, operational efficiencies, security and adherence to regulatory standards.

This necessitates long term strategic collaborations, building viable partnerships, encouraging knowledge sharing, investing in talent development, community engagement and sincere commitment to building sustainable and futuristic banks of tomorrow.

The Middle East Banking AI and Analytics Summit 2024, taking place on February 29 at the Dusit Thani Dubai, aims to reflect the significant structural shift in the global banking industry, particularly in the MENA region, due to the advent of AI. It strives to cater to the needs of the banking sector by creating a favorable environment for seamless exchange of critical information to help banks and financial institutions to cut

Key topics to be discussed at the summit include leadership strategies for building futuristic banks in MENA, building trust in the era of AI-powered banking, navigating regulatory norms for data ethics in banking, enhancing customer journeys through AI and analytics, the transformative role of AI and analytics in security and compliance within the financial sector, powering the future of banking, digital transformation for a dynamic financial ecosystem in the UAE, and the central role of data and AI in banking transformation.

Finnovex North Africa 2024

March 05 – 06, 2024

Cairo, Egypt

Finnovex North Africa’s 22nd edition, taking place on March 05 and 06, 2024, stands as an unparalleled summit driving transformative changes in the financial landscape. With a focus on cutting-edge solutions and elevated regulatory standards, this event serves as a hub for forward-thinking leaders and innovators in North Africa’s financial sector.

This year’s edition will focus on four key themes: digital accessibility and bridging the gap through digital solutions, making banking accessible to all; the commercial banking revolution; meeting regulatory demands with robust and secure financial systems; and government-backed initiatives focusing on digitizing remittances and encouraging digital payments.

Participants will get to attend keynotes and panels to understand the benefits of specific technologies, connect with peers in a private business-focused environment, explore cost-effective, up-to-date solutions and innovations on one platform, and get hands-on experience with cybersecurity solutions.

Blockchain Life 2024

April 15-16, 2024

Dubai Festival City, Dubai, UAE

On April 15 and 16, Blockchain Life 2024 will bring together over 8,000 crypto enthusiasts and thousands of international companies in the globally recognized crypto hub of Dubai to discuss the state of the blockchain industry, exploring the opportunities and challenges faced by the sector.

The event promises a premium community of crypto whales and industry leaders converging to discuss and explore the latest trends and developments in the crypto sphere. Over 160 experts are slated to deliver speeches and provide market analyses from the stage, offering valuable insights into the rapidly evolving crypto landscape. Numerous networking formats will be available, providing attendees with ample opportunities to engage in meaningful discussions, collaborations, and partnerships within the crypto community.

More than 150 key industry companies will be featured at the exhibition, showcasing the latest innovations and advancements. The Startup Pitch contest will host dozens of teams, with the expectation that many of these projects will gain prominence in the following months.

Top speakers scheduled include:

Justin Sun, Founder of TRON, Member of the HTX Global Advisory Board;
Sergei Khitrov, Founder of Blockchain Life, Jets.Capital and Listing.Help;
Paolo Ardoino, CEO of Tether, CTO of Bitfinex;
Andrei Grachev, Managing Partner of DWF Labs;
Dominic Williams, Founder and Chief Scientist of DFINITY (ICP);
Xinxi Wang, Co-Founder of Litecoin Foundation);
Danilo S. Carlucci, Founder and CEO of Morningstar Ventures;
Irene Wu, Head of Strategy of LayerZero Labs;
Pascal Gauthier, Chairman and CEO of Ledger;
Jason Lau, Chief Innovation Officer at OKX;
Alicia Kao, Managing Director at KuCoin; and many more.

Istanbul Fintech Week 2024

April 16-17, 2024

Fisekhane, Istanbul, Turkey

Istanbul Fintech Week 2024, scheduled to take place on April 16 and 17 at Fisekhane in Istanbul, aims to position itself as the largest regional fintech event, fostering innovation and collaboration. By bringing together experts and leaders worldwide, the event seeks to serve as a pivotal hub for collaborative endeavors, knowledge sharing, and the global advancement of the fintech landscape.

Istanbul Fintech Week 2024 will offer a platform for networking, learning, and innovation in the heart of Istanbul. Participants can expect to discover the latest trends and advancements in the fintech industry through engaging talks, panel discussions, and interactive workshops. Seasoned professionals and those new to fintech alike will get to seize valuable opportunities to expand their knowledge, gain inspiration, and stay ahead in this rapidly evolving landscape.

Istanbul Fintech Week 2024 will feature two main summits and several parallel programs, creating a dynamic week filled with content-rich sessions, awards, roundtables, startup pitches, and more. The Web3 Summit will focus on distributed ledger solutions, tokenization, crypto assets, decentralized finance (DeFi) and digital currencies, and the Digital Finance Summit will explore digital transformation, mobile banking, customer data, cybersecurity, and open banking.

Sub-summits will include AI in Finance, which will explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and finance; and Women in Finance, which will highlight unique perspectives on the role of women in the fintech industry.

World Blockchain Summit Dubai

April 22-23, 2024

JW Marriott Hotel Marina, Dubai, UAE

World Blockchain Summit Dubai, scheduled to take place on April 22 and 23 at the JW Marriott Hotel Marina in Dubai, will assemble CEOs, experts, and thought leaders in a dynamic community, collaborating to unlock the potential of Web 3.0. The event aims to serve as a catalyst for growth, a collaborative platform, and a springboard for adoption.

World Blockchain Summit Dubai promises an exciting and immersive event, bringing together blockchain enthusiasts, experts, and innovators from around the globe. Attendees can expect to dive into the world of blockchain technology, exploring its immense potential.

This in-person summit will provide opportunities to network with industry leaders, attend insightful panel discussions, and gain valuable knowledge about the latest trends and advancements in blockchain. The event will cover various aspects, from cryptocurrencies to decentralized applications, revolutionizing sectors such as finance, healthcare, and supply chain.

Participants will get to engage in interactive sessions, workshops, and learning from industry experts, discovering how blockchain is transforming diverse sectors.

Finnovex East Africa 2024

April 24 – 25, 2024

Nairobi, Kenya

East Africa’s financial sector is experiencing a revolutionary shift driven by technological innovation, enhanced accessibility, and customer-focused solutions.

Finnovex East Africa’s 23rd edition aims to mark that transformative era in the region’s financial landscape. Beyond being an event, the conference will seek to serve as a gathering of visionaries, innovators, and leaders committed to transforming the future of finance in East Africa.

The event will focus on key innovation areas, fintech developments, and strategic imperatives shaping the region’s financial future. Participants will get to explore digital advancements are redefining banking and finance in East Africa, understand the impact of enhanced accessibility on financial inclusivity, and delve into how competition and customer-focused solutions are shaping the financial sector.

Dubai Fintech Summit 2024

May 06 – 07, 2023

Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, UAE

The Dubai Fintech Summit 2024, slated for May 06 and 07, will bring together world-renowned thinkers, policy makers, and decision makers to share and contribute to the development of tools, regulations, and frameworks that are essential to shape the future of fintech and finance.

The summit, which aims to consolidate Dubai as a rising fintech hub and amplify the city’s commitment to nurturing startups, is set to be bring together over 8,000 global industry leaders, investors and policy makers. It stands as a thought leadership-driven platform, addressing industry challenges head-on and championing innovation, and will unlock new opportunities, cross-border collaboration, and innovation to shape the future of finance.

The event will comprise four stages, and will focus on key themes including sustainability, the future of fintech, embedded and open finance, Web 3.0 and digital assets.

MENA Insurtech Summit

May 11-13, 2024

Doha, Qatar

After the resounding success of the MENA Insurtech Rising Summit 2023, the MENA Insurtech Association has announced the upcoming MENA Insurtech Summit 2024. The conference, scheduled from May 11 to 13, 2024, is poised to encompass a broad scope, delving into the myriad possibilities that AI brings across the insurance value chain, promising profound impacts.

The summit will feature three key tracks, bringing together international experts in insurtech, investments, and insurance. This year’s focus on “The AI Impact on the Insurance Value Chain” ensures a curated lineup for a robust exploration of industry intersections.

Participants will get to learn from industry leaders, network with key decision-makers, discover cutting-edge AI solutions, and contribute to shaping the future of MENA’s insurance landscape. It will feature a powerhouse roster of industry leaders and disruptors as keynote speakers.

Seamless Middle East 2024

May 14 – 15, 2024

Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai, UAE

Seamless Middle East 2024, taking place on May 14 and 15, at the Dubai World Trade Centre in the UAE, will feature over 800 speakers addressing the latest trends, market disruptors, and technologies shaping the digital commerce landscape; a free-to-attend multi-brand exhibition featuring 800 exhibitors showcasing cutting-edge solutions and innovative startups from the region; and networking sessions providing valuable opportunities for collaboration and engagement.

Themes in focus during this year’s event will include small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) banking, financial inclusion, payments, digital banking, digital currencies and electronic know-your-customer (eKYC).

With a legacy spanning 24 years, Seamless stands as a key meeting point for innovative minds in the realms of payments, fintech, identity, banking, retail, e-commerce, home delivery, and digital marketing. The event gathers over 30,000 attendees each year and features a massive exhibition that serves as a platform for market-leading industry players. Representatives from banks, exchange houses, insurance, telcos, merchants, enterprises, government, and tech startups converge to explore and collaborate on the latest technologies and services.

In 2023, the Seamless series of events attracted 75,000 attendees across multiple locations, including Dubai, Riyadh, Cairo, Johannesburg, and Munich. Additionally, tens of thousands participated in monthly online engagements.

Finnovex Saudi Arabia 2024

May 21 – 22, 2024

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is pushing for economic diversification, tech advancement, and cultural openness. The country aims to host Expo 2030 in Riyadh as a global showcase. Finnovex Saudi Arabia’s 24th edition in 2024 aligns with Expo 2030’s theme and aims to discuss, innovate, and strategize for Vision 2030’s realization. With the theme “Fulfilling Vision 2030: Kingdom Banking’s Pinnacle – Transforming Finance for a Thriving Saudi Arabia,” the event will delve into banking’s role in Saudi Arabia’s transformation.

The 2024 edition of Finnovex Saudi Arabia will take place on May 11 and 12, 2024 in Riyadh and is expected to bring together 200 key stakeholders. Participants will get to explore the role of technology in crafting an inclusive, sustainable, and resilient financial ecosystem, uncover the influence of data, emerging trends, and blockchain’s imprint on trust and analytics, and navigate the regulatory landscape influencing inclusive finance promotion.

Finnovex is a series of summits that examines the future of financial services on how disruptive innovations are reshaping the way they are structured, provisioned and consumed.

The event aims to create thought leadership on cutting-edge issues with long-term implications to the industry. It also strives to lay the foundation for multi-stakeholder dialogues that explore the potential of these innovations to transform the financial ecosystem, as well as the risks and opportunities that could emerge from shifts in the way financial services are designed, delivered and consumed in the future.

Blockchain Economy Istanbul Summit

May 29-30, 2024

Pullman Istanbul Hotel and Convention Center, Istanbul, Turkey

The Blockchain Economy Istanbul Summit, scheduled for May 29 and 30, 2024, at the Pullman Istanbul Hotel and Convention Center in Turkey, aims to serve as a meeting ground for key players in the crypto industry and experts.

Building on the success of its previous editions, the 2024 edition is set to attract the world’s top crypto companies and blockchain entrepreneurs. It will cover a broad spectrum of topics focusing on the future of financial technologies and offers extensive networking opportunities.

Participants will get to explore new ideas for improving financial technologies, network with industry experts, attend mastermind-level discussions, and engage with an exhibition overflowing with opportunities to enhance business and career prospects.

Gitex Africa 2024

May 29-31, 2024

Bab Jdid, Marrakech, Morocco

Gitex Africa 2024, taking place from May 29 to 31 at Bab Jdid in Marrakech, will connect tech titans, governments, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), startups, coders, investors, and academia, to accelerate, collaborate, and explore new ventures. The event aims to amplify the continent’s digital aspirations and achievements powered by tech savvy youth, corporates and ambitious governments.

Building on the success of the 2023 edition, the event will spotlight Africa’s evolving tech landscape, featuring groundbreaking technologies across sectors such as fintech, e-commerce, cloud, the Internet-of-Things (IoT), AI, telecom and cybersecurity.

The event will introduce new exploration avenues, including Digital Health and Lab Tech, Future Manufacturing, AI Everything, and Agritech, and will address critical topics such as cloud, IoT, AI, connectivity, cybersecurity, digital finance, smart manufacturing, and digital cities, facilitating knowledge sharing for an unmatched continental outreach.

Participants will get to engage directly with tech leaders shaping the continent’s future, and build partnerships with tech experts. The showcase will encompass bigtechs, cutting-edge startups, and government-backed projects, reflecting Africa’s diverse tech ecosystem.

Finnovex Qatar

June 25-26, 2024

Doha, Qatar

The financial services industry is critical to the Qatari economy, and the government is working hard to make Qatar a regional financial center. Fintech offers significant opportunities for economic diversification and is one of the four pillars of Qatar’s National Vision 2030.

Banks in Qatar have recognized the role digital transformation plays in driving growth and efficiency. Banks are rethinking their business models to ensure they are profitable and remain viable in the future. It is imperative for regional banks to beat the competition by moving from their outdated legacy systems to more robust, efficient and modern platforms. Most leading banks are investing heavily in digital technologies (including AI, automation, cloud computing, data analytics, blockchains, open application programming interfaces (APIs), payments, cybersecurity, and more) to take advantage of them and remain competitive in the industry, but how can legacy banks leverage this new transformation?

Scheduled for June 25 and 25, 2024 in Doha, Finnovex Qatar will delve into these opportunities and challenges, connecting over 150 senior leaders for a curated agenda focused on addressing current business challenges and driving the industry forward with innovative ideas and strategies.

The event will focus on fostering multi-stakeholder dialogues to explore the potential of innovations in transforming the financial ecosystem while examining the risks and opportunities arising from shifts in the design, delivery, and consumption of financial services in the future.

Finnovex Qatar is part of a global series of summits that delves into the future of financial services, dissecting how disruptive innovations are reshaping their structure, provision, and consumption. The main objective of the summit is to explore new technologies and methodologies that can help the banking sector reach new heights. This is done through interactive panel discussions, fireside-chat and focused keynote sessions, and live demos by industry pioneers.

Fintech Summit Middle East

June 26, 2024

The St. Regis Hotel, Amman, Bahrain

The Fintech Summit Middle East, scheduled for June 26, 2024, in Amman, Bahrain, is set to convene a gathering of over 350 professionals spanning the fintech, payments, banking, retail, e-commerce, tech firms, fintech startups, and investment sectors. The event aims to serve as a dynamic platform for industry stakeholders to delve into the latest innovations, address challenges, and chart the future trajectory of the financial technology landscape in the Middle East.

Participants at the Fintech Summit Middle East can anticipate a rich program featuring panel discussions, fireside chats, networking sessions, and the exchange of ideas. The agenda will encompass crucial industry topics, including the transformative impact of technology on the banking sector, the evolution of payment systems, the e-commerce revolution, and customer experience enhancement.

Attendees will get to gain a profound understanding of trends, innovations, and challenges in banking, payments, government tech, e-commerce, and retail; connect with industry leaders, startups, investors and experts; explore promising investment opportunities in the dynamic tech sectors shaping the Middle East’s future; and discover cutting-edge technologies and solutions that have the potential to revolutionize businesses.