The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has established itself as a major hub for fintech in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), boasting the largest fintech ecosystem and the highest concentration of fintech startups in the region.
This leadership has made the UAE a prime destination for major fintech events, attracting top decision-makers and allowing industry experts to network, stay up-to-date with the latest trends, and showcase their innovative solutions.
As we step into 2025, we look today at some of the biggest fintech events taking place this year in the UAE. For this list, we’ve focused on prominent events that are expected to bring together large crowds of industry leaders to share meaningful insights, explore potential collaborations, and build valuable connections.
Top 12 Fintech Events in the UAE to Attend in 2025
E-Invoicing Exchange Summit Dubai 2025
February 10-12, 2025
Park Hyatt Dubai, Dubai Creek Club St Port Saeed – Dubai
The Middle East and Africa are facing a rapidly evolving landscape for E-Invoicing and VAT reporting. The E-Invoicing Exchange Summit team follows this development and continue the successful first two editions of the E-Invoicing Exchange Summit and proudly announce the 3rd edition to be held in Dubai from February 10 to 12, 2025.
For more information, agenda and registration visit https://www.exchange-summit.com/events/mea/agenda
FiNext Awards and Conference Dubai 2025
February 10-11, 2025
Le Meridien Dubai Hotel and Conference Centre, Dubai
The FiNext Awards and Conference Dubai 2025 will take place on February 10 and 11, at Le Meridien Dubai Hotel and Conference Centre in Dubai. Now in its seventh edition, the event was established to serve as a digital hub for the global financial sector, providing a platform for tech startups, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), established technology providers, investors, and financial institutions to connect and collaborate.
This year’s conference will cover topics including banking security, cash management, commercial payment strategies, and cloud IT platforms for financial institutions. It will feature over 40 speakers and bring together a wide range of attendees.
Financial professionals will benefit from insights into the rapidly evolving finance and technology sectors. Entrepreneurs and innovators will explore opportunities for collaboration and growth. Investors and venture capitalists (VCs) will discover emerging trends and promising startups in the fintech space, while government officials and policymakers will gain valuable perspectives on the impact of fintech on regulatory frameworks and the broader financial industry.
Future of Asset Management Middle East
February 18-19, 2025
The Ritz – Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal, Abu Dhabi
The Future of Asset Management Middle East event will take place on February 18 and 19, 2025, at The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal. Organized by the Financial Times in collaboration with MandateWire, this two-day conference will gather leading executives from top asset management firms, sovereign wealth funds, and family offices across the Middle East and beyond.
The event will feature industry debates, intimate breakout sessions, and exclusive roundtables. It will uncover opportunities for growth in this dynamic region amidst global economic and political shifts, addressing the opportunities and challenges in the asset management industry within the region.
Key discussion points will include:
- Regulatory evolution: Integrating compliance and innovation in the Middle East
- Geopolitical insights: Strategic approaches to regional investments
- Green ambitions: Unlocking sustainable investment opportunities in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)
- Private markets: Harnessing the boom in the GCC
- Wealth and legacy: Preparing for the great wealth transfer
- Sovereign wealth funds: Transitioning to third-party asset managers
Participants will gain insights from industry experts on regulatory changes and innovative investment strategies, network with C-suite executives from top asset management firms, sovereign wealth funds, and family offices, and discover emerging investment hotspots and explore the potential of private markets and alternative investments in the GCC.
Step Dubai 2025
February 19-20, 2025
Dubai Internet City, Dubai
Step Dubai 2025 will take place on February 19 and 20, at Dubai Internet City. Over the course of two days, this dynamic event will host more than 8,000 attendees, 400 global startups, hundreds of investors, and over 100 participating companies, creating a hub for innovation, collaboration, and exploration in the tech ecosystem.
This year’s event will feature four main tracks: Founders and Funders, AdTech 2.0, Fintech for SMBs, and AI, LLMs and Cloud. Keynote speakers from major organizations like Oracle, Trendyol, Plug and Play, and 500 Global will offer insights into the future of technology.
Attendees can look forward to thought-provoking panels such as “GCC as a Startup Hub,” “The Next Leap in Generative AI,” “Foundational Models vs. Open Source,” and “Optimizing ROI with Programmatic AI.” They’ll get to experience a wide range of activities, including hands-on workshops, live demos, and startup expos, and connect with founders, investors, and innovators.
Furthermore, the exhibition areas will feature leading tech brands and startups from diverse industries, providing opportunities to explore new products, services, and partnerships.
Digital Transformation Summit UAE 2025
April 29-30, 2025
Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel and Resorts, Abu Dhabi
The Digital Transformation Summit UAE 2025 will be held on April 29 and 30, at the Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel and Resorts. Returning for its 37th edition, the summit is expected to be attended by over 300 C-suite executives, directors, and technology leaders.
The Digital Transformation Summit UAE 2025 will provide a platform for exploring cutting-edge innovations in artificial intelligence (AI), Web 3.0, the Internet-of-Things (IoT), quantum computing, and cybersecurity, among other key technologies driving the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).
The event will focus on actionable insights and strategies to enhance operational efficiency and foster a culture of digital innovation. Panels will delve into transformative topics, such as the integration of AI into the UAE’s digital economy, AI governance, cybersecurity advancements, and leveraging quantum computing for technological disruption. Sessions will also address the challenges and opportunities of modernizing IT operations, adopting multi-cloud strategies, and harnessing data for competitive advantage.
Attendees will gain insights into the UAE’s booming digital transformation landscape. They will also have opportunities to connect with industry peers, government representatives, and global technology partners through interactive sessions, workshops, and one-on-one meetings designed to foster partnerships and collaboration.
Token2049 Dubai
April 30 – May 01, 2025
Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai
Token2049 Dubai, scheduled for April 30 to May 01, 2025, at Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai, is a premier global conference dedicated to the crypto and blockchain ecosystem. This event is part of a global conference series, where the crypto ecosystem’s decision-makers come together to exchange ideas, network, and shape the industry.
This year’s Token2049 Dubai edition will bring together the crypto world for a two-day main event. The event will highlight cutting-edge product demonstrations, insightful discussions, and a vibrant cultural experience unique to Dubai. Attendees can expect hundreds of meetups, workshops, and networking opportunities.
Dubai Fintech Summit
May 12-13, 2025
Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, UAE
Experience the pulse of financial innovation at Dubai FinTech Summit 2025. Spanning five dynamic stages, including three plenary arenas and two innovation platforms, DFS assembles the brightest minds to dissect the most pressing topics in finance today.
Engage with over 300 luminaries, including central bank governors and C-suite leaders from top global institutions, as they navigate through core themes of Innovation, Inclusion, Impact, Investment, and Integration. Discover the future as we explore everything from AI and blockchain to sustainable investing and digital economies. Each session promises a gateway to the next wave of financial transformation.
World AI Technology Expo 2025
May 14-15, 2025
Movenpick Grand Albustan Hotel, Dubai, UAE
The World AI Technology Expo 2025 will take place on May 14-15, 2025, at the prestigious Movenpick Grand Al Bustan Hotel in Dubai. The event is expected to bring together over 3,000 AI experts, innovators, and leaders from more than 30 countries.
The expo will showcase the latest advancements in AI and provide attendees with invaluable opportunities to network, learn, and collaborate across various industries, including healthcare, finance, transportation, agriculture, and more.
The World Technology Awards Gala Ceremony will recognize the most innovative and groundbreaking technologies in the AI industry.
Finally, the AI Summit will cover a wide range of topics, including machine learning, robotics, natural language processing, and more. Attendees can expect to gain valuable insights into the latest AI technologies and their impact on various industries such as healthcare, finance, transportation, and education.
The World AI Technology Expo 2025 will also feature startup pitch competitions, offering emerging AI companies the chance to showcase their innovative ideas to a panel of judges and potential investors.
Finnovex Middle East 2025
September 09-10, 2025
Dubai, UAE
The Finnovex Middle East 2025 event will be held on September 09 and 10, in Dubai, continuing its legacy as a premier financial services innovation summit. The event will bring together an impressive array of industry professionals, including banking and financial services leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, and government officials, to explore how the Middle East is leading the charge in transforming finance.
Finnovex Middle East is a leading summit on financial services innovation and excellence in the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region. With more than 25 successful editions under its belt, the event claims to have attracted over 50,000+ top professionals and thought leaders from around the world.
Middle East Banking Innovation Summit (MEBIS) 2025
September 17-18, 2025
Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Dubai
The Middle East Banking Innovation Summit (MEBIS) 2025 will take place on September 17 and 18, marking the second edition of the event. This year’s summit will provide attendees with insights into the transformative technologies shaping the financial sector, uncovering how AI, automation, and advanced digital solutions are revolutionizing banking, elevating customer experiences, and driving operational efficiency to new heights.
MEBIS 2025 will unite top industry leaders, technology trailblazers, and decision-makers to share visionary strategies and insights. This exclusive event will offer feature educational case studies, illuminating panel sessions, and unparalleled networking opportunities for senior bankers and technology leaders in the MENA region.
Some of the themes in focus this year include:
- Open banking and open finance
- Building a robust ecosystem for AI in banking
- Strategies for banking technology leaders
- AI use cases in banking technology
- Digital-only and neobanks
- Revolutionizing payments technology for banks
- Customer-centric banking
- AI in risk management and fraud detection
- Establishing a data-driven culture in banks
- Blockchain fundamentals and banking applications
- Central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) in the MENA region
- Transforming workplace culture
Fintech Surge 2025
October 12-15, 2025
Dubai Harbour, Dubai
Fintech Surge 2025 will take place from October 12 to 15, at the Dubai Harbour.
Capitalizing on Dubai’s pioneering status as a leading location for fintech startups, Fintech Surge is the foremost platform where international finance and technology players meet to create limitless opportunities.
Last year’s event was attended by more than 1,200 investors, 150 exhibitors and over 100 speakers from more than 70 countries. Key trends explored included digital banking, embedded finance, and autonomous finance, along with discussions on digital currencies and open banking.
Abu Dhabi Fintech Week 2025
December 08-11, 2025
Abu Dhabi Fintech Week (ADFW) 2025 will take place from December 08 to 11, promising to deliver even greater opportunities for collaboration and innovation in the financial sector.
The event will build on the success of ADFW 2024, which attracted over 20,000 participants and 600+ speakers from across the globe. It featured an expansive program with more than 350 sessions across over 60 industry events, focusing on key themes such as capital economics, sustainable finance, and the role of technology in financial services.
Featured image credit: edited from freepik
