The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has established itself as the leading fintech hub in the Middle East, boasting 329 fintech companies in 2024, surpassing Saudi Arabia’s 261 and Egypt’s 177.
The UAE also dominates the region’s fintech investment landscape, recording the lion’s share in fintech deals in H1 2025 with 39 transactions, according to Magnitt, further cementing its position as the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region’s most dynamic fintech market.
This burgeoning landscape has made the UAE a premier destination for fintech events, attracting global industry leaders to explore opportunities and tackle emerging challenges.
Among the many conferences scheduled for the months to come, the following 23 are standing as the most significant gatherings in the last quarter of 2025 and the first half of 2026. These event are expected to bring together top decision-makers, regulators, and innovators to shape the future of the sector, collaborate, and advance the UAE’s digital transformation objectives.
Top Fintech Events to Attend in the UAE in Q4 2025
The Tech Capital’s Middle East & Africa Finance Forum 2025
November 24, 2025
Rosewood Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE
For four years, the Tech Capital’s International Finance Forum (IFF) has been the meeting ground for decision-makers shaping the world’s digital infrastructure economy. With 12 acclaimed editions across leading financial centers, IFF has united capital and leadership to drive global progress.
Now, for the first time in the Middle East and Africa (MEA), the conversation arrives in a region defining the next era of growth. The MEA Finance Forum 2025 will connect international investors, regional financiers, and digital infrastructure executives to explore how finance can accelerate transformation across data, connectivity, and energy ecosystems.
Attendees will include C‑suite executives, sovereign wealth fund representatives, infrastructure investors, funders and senior legal advisors. The event will combine expert content from keynote speeches with interactive panels and strategic networking opportunities.
Session topics will span several themes, including:
- Regional digital infrastructure investment flows;
- Regulatory frameworks and policy;
- Financing for data centers, fiber and cell‑tower development;
- Investor perspectives and fund structuring in MEA markets; and
- Cross‑border capital strategies between Europe, Asia and Africa.
#RISK GCC
December 08-09, 2025
Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Conference Centre and DIFC Academy, Dubai, UAE
Returning for its third edition, #RISK GCC will gather professionals in governance, risk, and compliance (GRC), as well as experts in privacy, data protection, and AI. The two-day event, taking place on December 08 and 09, 2025, will provide a platform for sharing knowledge, promoting innovation, and advancing risk management practices across the Gulf region.
The #RISK Series, powered by GRC World Forums & Emerald is a premier collection of global events dedicated to exploring the multifaceted world of risk. From cybersecurity and data privacy to financial crime, regulatory compliance, and geopolitical uncertainties, the series aims to provide a vital platform for professionals across industries to connect, learn, and build resilience in an increasingly complex and interconnected world.
Abu Dhabi Finance Week 2025
December 08-11, 2025
The Grand Steps, Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Abu Dhabi Finance Week (ADFW) 2025 will take place from December 08 to 11, on Al Maryah Island in Abu Dhabi. Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, this year’s event will run under the theme “Engineering the Capital Network”, bringing together global financial leaders, investors, and innovators to shape the future of capital markets and investment ecosystems.
ADFW 2025 will feature over 60 events, including the flagship Asset Abu Dhabi, Fintech Abu Dhabi, and Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum. Attendees will have opportunities to participate in high-level discussions on the growth of Abu Dhabi’s Falcon Economy, emerging global investment trends, and the future of financial technologies.
Key focus areas will include investment and capital market development, global fintech and fintech innovation, strategies for emerging economies and regional growth, and networking and collaboration among financial leaders, investors, and policymakers.
Speakers will include:
- H.E Mohamed Hamad Al Mehairi, CEO, Emirates Investment Authority;
- Dilhan Pillay Sandrasegara, CEO & Executive Director, Temasek Holdings (Private) Limited;
- Ray Dalio, Founder & Mentor, Bridgewater Associates and Dalio Family Office;
- Stephen Dainton, President of Barclays Bank PLC and Head of Investment Bank Management, Barclays;
- Clare Woodman, CEO, International, Morgan Stanley;
- Mohamed Alabbar, Founder, Emaar and Noon;
- Harvey Schwartz, Chief Executive Officer, Carlyle; and
- Jennifer Johnson, President & CEO, Franklin Templeton.
Asset Abu Dhabi
December 09, 2025
The Grand Steps, Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Asset Abu Dhabi, taking place on December 09, 2025, will bring together the world’s capital allocators and asset managers to decode tomorrow’s investment strategies and asset classes. From private credit’s rise to the trading strategies of the world’s biggest funds, Asset Abu Dhabi will explore themes such as the growth of private credit, market volatility, and long-term portfolio management.
The event is expected to convene sovereign wealth funds, asset managers, investment bankers, family offices, and private investors to identify opportunities, manage risk, and shape the future of asset allocation in a rapidly evolving global economy.
Fintech Abu Dhabi
December 10, 2025
The Grand Steps, Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi, UAE
The ninth edition of Fintech Abu Dhabi 2025, taking place on December 10, will bring together technology leaders, banks, developers, and investors to explore the next frontier of financial innovation, and examine leadership, regulation, and digital transformation shaping the future of finance. Discussions will focus on AI, stablecoins, tokenized assets, invisible payments, and cyber resilience.
The original ADFW flagship and MENA’s largest fintech festival, Fintech Abu Dhabi is a prominent platform bringing together tech innovators, banks, developers, entrepreneurs, and investors to shape the future of finance across payments, digital assets, security, and credit.
Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum
December 11, 2025
The Grand Steps, Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum (ADSFF) is where capital meets climate ambition. This is the forum where billion-dollar pledges take flight, climate finance finds momentum and bold sustainability ideas meet real capital allocation.
From renewable energy, climate risk and biodiversity investment to novel ideas like de-extinction, the 8th edition of ADSFF will take place on December 11, 2025, convening investors, policymakers, and innovators who are actively financing the net-zero transition and therefore reshaping the economic logic of sustainability.
Through ADSFF, ADFW reinforces its commitment to sustainable finance, hosting high-level discussions on regulation, collaboration, and ecosystem development. With Abu Dhabi and ADGM at the forefront of green finance, the forum aims to serve as a platform to advance the UAE’s net-zero ambitions while contributing to the world’s transition to a sustainable future.
Top Fintech Events to Attend in the UAE in H1 2026
Digital Insurance MENA 2026
January 20-21, 2026
Dubai, UAE
As a top global event for insurers to transform, Digital Insurance is a rapidly growing brand with global footprints in MENA, APAC and more regions to come. It’s committed to building platforms as well as communities around the world to connect, inspire and promote digital transformation in insurance industry.
The 4th edition of Digital Insurance MENA, taking place on January 20 and 21, 2026, will bring together more than 1,500 attendees from insurers, insurtech startups, solution providers, and more. With unparalleled speakers, topics, and branding and networking opportunities, the event will bring the digital innovators-thinkers and doers across the MENA region and around the world to gather in Dubai to connect, inspire and promote insurance digital transformation.
Digital Insurance MENA 2026 will host multiple tracks focusing on leadership, data and AI, customer experience, and innovation. The event will also feature demonstrations of cutting-edge insurtech solutions, exclusive roundtables, one-on-one meetings, and networking sessions designed to foster partnerships and actionable outcomes.
2026 advisors and speakers include:
- Kayzad Hiramanek, Chief Operating Officer, Edelweiss Life Insurance;
- Dr. Rafiq Jamalaldeen, Visionary Executive Leader;
- Saurabh Saran, Executive Director, Capstone Insurance;
- Dr. Amir Safari, Acting-Director General, Innovation and Development of Modern Businesses, Central Insurance of Iran (Insurance Regulatory and Supervisory Authority);
- Sreedhar Suragouni, CIO, Sukoon Insurance;
- Dr. AFTAB Hasan, Founder & Chairman Global Association of InsurTech Professionals (GAlP), Founder & Chairman Risk Exchange DlFC Limited;
- Dr. Sanjiv Dwivedi, President & Head – Investigation & Loss Mitigation, Bajaj Allianz General Insurance;
- Mohamed El-Dishish, Chief Executive Officer,Insurance Institute of Egypt;
- Amro Shawli, Chief Governance, Risk and Control Officer, Bupa Arabia;
- Sherif Elsherif, Former Chief Beneficiaries Officer, COO, Universal Health Insurance Authority;
- Oussama KAISSI, Founder & CEO, The Meridiem Group; and
- Shammi Kapoor, SVP & Head Operations CS and Health Claims, Magma General Insurance.
Islamic Fintech Forum
February 11-12, 2026
Dubai, UAE
The Islamic Fintech Forum 2026 will take place on February 11 and 12, bringing together more than 2,000 participants to explore how financial technology is redefining Sharia-compliant finance and investment. The event will unite Islamic banks, fintech innovators, regulators, and investors to accelerate collaboration, strengthen compliance, and foster inclusive digital transformation.
Across two days of keynotes, panels, and workshops, participants will engage with more than 50 expert sessions featuring CEOs, regulators, Sharia scholars, and technology leaders shaping the next generation of ethical finance. The event will include over 100 exhibiting companies, offering opportunities to launch pilot projects, build partnerships, and move innovations from concept to market.
Attendees will gain insights into the latest developments in Islamic digital finance, including tokenization, digital sukuk, AI-powered services, and blockchain applications. They will also get to connect directly with policymakers and Sharia boards defining global standards for compliance.
Step Dubai 2026
February 11-12, 2026
Dubai Internet City, Dubai, UAE
Step Dubai 2026 will return on February 11 and 12 as the region’s leading tech festival, bringing together over 8,000 founders, investors, creatives, and technology enthusiasts from around the world. Themed “Intelligence Everywhere: The AI Economy”, the event will explore how AI is transforming every layer of our lives, from business and finance to technology and creativity.
Across four dynamic tracks, Step Dubai 2026 will bring the future of tech, culture, and entrepreneurship to Dubai. Highlights include the AI in Finance track, which will explore how data-driven intelligence is reshaping finance. From autonomous trading to AI-driven compliance and personalized banking, this track will unpack the intersection of finance, technology, and trust in the digital economy.
Attendees will experience a mix of talks, workshops, exhibitions, and networking sessions designed to connect startups with investors, partners, and clients. Beyond the stages, Step Dubai 2026 will offer curated meetups, satellite events, and brand activations hosted by leading global companies and venture firms.
Fintech Week Dubai 2026
February 16-17, 2026
Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Deira Creek, Dubai, UAE
Fintech Week Dubai will return on February 16 and 17, 2026 at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Dubai. Themed “Payments, Security and Beyond”, the event will unite leaders, regulators, and innovators to explore the fintech ecosystem’s potential, driving sustainable global progress through collaboration, insights, and groundbreaking advancements in fintech.
Over the course of two dynamic days, Fintech Week 2026 will feature immersive keynote sessions and visionary panel discussions, strategic networking with global fintech leaders and decision-makers, and showcase of pioneering technologies and fintech solutions.
Participants will gain insights into the most pressing trends driving transformation, including real-time payments, cross-border innovation, digital identity, embedded finance, AI-driven security, compliance, and open banking. They will also get to connect with global leaders, developers, founders, policymakers, and innovators, all focused on building smarter, safer, and more seamless financial systems, and explore bold ideas, transformative strategies, and cutting-edge solutions that will define the next era of finance.
AIM 2026
September 7 – 9, 2026
Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai, UAE
AIM Congress is the flagship investment platform of the AIM Global Foundation, held annually in the UAE. It convenes senior government officials, investors, and business leaders to address global economic challenges, explore investment opportunities, and discuss critical topics including emerging markets, sustainability, innovation, and sectoral growth.
The 2026 edition, taking place from April 13 to 15, at the Dubai World Trade Centre, will be themed “Reshaping Global Prosperity: Unlocking New Investment Pathways Towards a Sustainable and Inclusive Future”, and will highlight investment trends, the digital economy, green finance, and public-private partnerships. It will feature high-level plenary sessions, thematic forums, side events, and strategic networking opportunities.
AIM’s matchmaking program will connect investors and businesses through personalized meetings that unlock high-value investment opportunities and accelerate cross-border deals. The exhibition area will showcase innovative multinational corporations looking to expand into new markets, SMEs with scalable business models, and startups offering innovative solutions across sectors like fintech, clean energy, agritech, AI, logistics, and advanced manufacturing. Financial institutions, including banks, private equity firms, and venture capital funds, will also be key participants.
AI Everything Global Summit & Expo 2026
September/October , 2026
ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE
The AI Everything Global Summit & Expo 2026, hosted at the ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi will reaffirm the UAE’s commitment to establishing itself as a premier global hub for AI excellence and innovation. The summit will feature leading AI enterprises, innovators, investors, and policymakers from around the world, offering a platform for advancing practical AI solutions across industries.
Participants will get to discover the most transformative hands-on use cases, address AI commercialization challenges, forge new partnerships, accelerate cross-continental innovation, and shape the future of AI applications. Major technology firms, including Dell Technologies, have already confirmed participation, highlighting the event’s significance.
AI Everything Global is the cross industries fully AI-focused forward-looking event of GITEX GLOBAL, one of the largest tech and startup shows in the world. The first edition of the event, taking place in February 2025, opened to an oversubscribed full house audience with delegates from over 149 countries. It brought together over 500 AI companies, 500 Chief AI Officers, 150 global investors, 200 international speakers, and 100 developers from more than 70 countries.
Seamless Fintech Middle East 2026
September 22-24, 2026
Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai, UAE
Seamless Fintech Middle East 2026, part of DFFW 2026 led by DIFC, will take place from September 22 – 24, at the Dubai World Trade Centre, bringing together big tech, government, banks, financial institutions, fintech startups, investors, and media. The three-day event aims to act as a dynamic platform for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and business growth.
Attendees will explore the fast-evolving fintech ecosystem, gain insights from industry pioneers, and experience cutting-edge solutions at the Identity Showcase. They will also gain the opportunity to forge partnerships, accelerate business growth, and stay ahead in the rapidly advancing fintech landscape.
Global FinEXPO Dubai 2026
October 21 – 22, 2026
The Agenda, Media City Dubai, Dubai, UAE
Global FinEXPO Dubai 2026 will take place on October 21 – 22, at the Agenda, Media City Dubai, exploring the convergence of banking, finance, investment, and fintech. As one of the most anticipated forex exchange (FX) events in Dubai, the expo promises to serve as a magnet for both exhibitors and visitors, offering tailor-made opportunities to showcase cutting-edge technologies and explore groundbreaking strategies.
Over the course of two days, Global FinEXPO Dubai 2026 will feature dedicated sessions and exhibition booths, exploring investment trends, innovative technologies, and the evolving landscape of financial services. Exhibitors will showcase solutions across banking, mutual funds, insurance, real estate, wealth management, digital currencies, and financial technologies.
More than 25 expert speakers, 150 exhibitors, 500 delegates, and over 5,000 visitors expected, the event will highlight emerging innovations shaping the future of global finance, with a particular focus on FX trading, fintech advancements, and digital transformation.
Key areas of emphasis will include AI and machine learning (ML) in trading, blockchain integration, algorithmic trading and automation, big data analytics, regulatory compliance, and risk management. The event will also explore fintech disruption, digital customer experience, cybersecurity, and global FX trends.
Dubai Future Finance Week 2026
November 2 – 6, 2026
Dubai, UAE
Under the directives of H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance UAE, and President of DIFC, Dubai Future Finance Week (DFFW) 2026 is expected to convene more than 40,000 global attendees, 1,000 international speakers, and 1,000 sponsors and exhibitors from over 120 countries, across more than ten global events, aiming to position Dubai as the epicenter of next-generation finance. It will feature a curated series of events exploring the future of finance across technology, capital, sustainability, and governance.
Under the theme “Shaping the Next Era of Global Finance”, the week will explore the forces redefining the global financial landscape. Through a curated series of forums and summits, discussions will focus on technology, capital, sustainability, governance, and the future of interconnected finance.
The initiative aims to drive global collaboration and innovation, facilitate cross-sector and cross-border collaboration, drive meaningful conversations around regulation, investment, and impact, and support the growth of emerging financial technologies and ecosystems. Key events will include Dubai Fintech Summit, Seamless Middle East, Reg3 Forum, Future Sustainability Forum, and Islamic Finance Forum.
Dubai Fintech Summit 2026
November 2 – 3, 2026
Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, UAE
Organized by DIFC as part of DFFW 2026, Dubai Fintech Summit 2026 will bring together world-leading innovators, policymakers, and market pioneers to explore groundbreaking insights, bold ideas, and transformative collaborations to shape the next chapter of the fintech revolution. With participation from more than 10,000 business leaders, 1,000 investors, 300 speakers, 200 exhibitors and partners, and delegates from 120 countries, the 2026 edition will serve as a catalyst for global financial innovation and growth.
Built around the theme “Shaping the Future of Financial Innovation”, the summit will explore key pillars driving fintech transformation, including future-proofing finance, digital assets and tokenization, payments and embedded finance, AI, data and decisioning, private capital and wealthtech, and sustainability. The conference will feature keynote speeches, panel discussions, and fireside chats, while the exhibition will showcase cutting-edge solutions from over 200 fintech pioneers.
Digital Transformation Summit UAE 2026
November 4, 2026
Abu Dhabi, UAE
The 47th Edition of the Digital Transformation Summit, taking place on November 4, 2026, is part of a global series of events which has taken place in more than 10 cities across multiple continents over the past few years, uniting the world’s most influential digital and technology leaders. These events have garnered more than 8,100 digital leaders, 430 sponsors, and 940 speakers spanning industries including finance, banking, government, telecom, healthcare, and manufacturing.
As digital transformation becomes an essential component of every corporate strategy, the agenda at the Digital Transformation Summit is meticulously crafted to identify critical approaches needed to make informed business decisions, improve operational efficiency and drive digital culture forward.
The 2026 UAE edition will discuss the potential of AI, Web3, the Internet-of-Things (IoT), quantum computing, cyber security and other Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies, revealing the insights needed to embrace impactful change now. It’s expected to bring together 200+ C-level executives, directors, and heads of technology.
Speakers in 2026 will include:
- Vladimir Arshinov, Group Chief Technology Officer, EMSTEEL Group;
- Vishal Kapil, Group Chief Information Officer and Chief Technology Officer, MAIR Group;
- Roger Wahl, Chief Technology Officer, Innovo Group;
- Dr. Jassim Al Awadhi, Executive Director, Head Enterprise Platforms, Emirates NBD; and
- Dr. Ebrahim Al Alkeem Al Zaabi, National Risk and Policy Director, Executive Office of AML and Counter Terrorism Financing.
Featured discussions will include:
- The Illusion of Intelligence: A Reality Check on the AI Expectation Gap;
- From Core to Quantum: Architecting the Future of Intelligence;
- When AI Takes the Wheel: The Promise and Peril of Agentic Intelligence;
- AI Readiness from Within: Building Trust, Agility, and Alignment for Transformational Change;
- Driving Enterprise Growth: CIO Strategies for Scalable Impact;
- The Enterprise Tech Buying Playbook: Trends, Pitfalls, and Smarter Vendor Decisions; and
- C-Suite Synergy: Turning Digital and Tech Investments into Measurable Business Value.
E-Invoicing Exchange Summit Dubai
November 25 – 27, 2026
Park Hyatt, Dubai, UAE
The Middle East and Africa are facing a rapidly evolving landscape für E-Invoicing and VAT reporting, after a very successful 3rd edition of the E-Invoicing Exchange Summit in February 2025, the summit is going to return to the region in spring 2026.
Investopia 2026
TBA
Abu Dhabi, UAE
The fifth edition of Investopia 2026 will take place in Abu Dhabi, from March 31 to April 2, 2026. It will run over three days instead of two, based on growing interest from existing and new participants. The aim is to create an annual global platform for investment talks, bringing together leaders, ministers, senior officials, decision-makers, business people, investors, entrepreneurs, and economic experts from around the globe for this UAE event.
The 2026 edition of Investopia will feature several productive events organized in partnership with key local, regional and global partners. They will include diverse discussion panels and roundtable meetings to enrich the global discourse on future investment opportunities in new economic sectors. The goal is to shape the latest international financial trends, find suitable solutions for the economic challenges experienced by the global economy, highlight promising investment opportunities in the UAE and offer insights into the means of leveraging them by investors and business people. It will also explore the role of sovereign funds and mega investment funds in funding developmental initiatives.
One day will be dedicated to entrepreneurship and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Featuring extensive regional and international participation, this day’s forums and roundtables will engage a significant group of UAE government entities focused on entrepreneurship, and business incubators, accelerators, venture capital (VC) funds, and entrepreneurs. This event will primarily focus on encouraging startup owners to expand into future economic sectors and facilitate their access to funding, investment opportunities, and partnerships.
TOKEN2049 Dubai
April 21-22, 2027
Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, UAE
TOKEN2049 Dubai 2026 will take place on April 21 to 22, 2027, at Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai, bringing together 15,000 attendees from more than 4,000 companies and 160 countries for a buzzing two-day main event focusing on Web3.
Over two energetic days, participants will engage in keynotes, panel discussions, and exhibitions that explore the future of decentralized finance, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), AI integration, and blockchain regulation. They will gain exclusive access to market-moving announcements, strategic partnerships, and product launches from the most influential voices in crypto.
The 2026 Dubai edition will spotlight emerging trends shaping the global digital economy, including Bitcoin halving effects, Ethereum upgrades, AI-blockchain convergence, central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), and cross-chain interoperability. Sessions will examine institutional crypto adoption, regulatory frameworks, metaverse development, and sustainable blockchain practices, reinforcing Dubai’s position as a leading international hub for digital assets and innovation.
Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Middle East, based on image by EyeEm via Freepik
