2018 was a key year for Saudi Arabia’s fintech sector as the government began to actively support the development of a healthy and vibrant fintech ecosystem.

2018 was marked by several milestones in the Saudi fintech landscape, with the launch of numerous initiatives by the government not only to foster fintech innovation but also to attract foreign companies.

Fintech Saudi, a financial sector development program initiative, was launched in 2018 by the Saudi Arabian government to support the growth of the domestic fintech industry, and the inaugural Fintech Tour 2018, which took place in December last year, drew more than 1,000 participants in what was claimed to be “the largest cluster of fintech events to take place in the Middle East.”

In 2019, the Saudi government continued its fintech push, introducing more initiatives to further showcase its commitment to turning the country into a major fintech hub in the region. Such initiatives include for example the establishment of the Fintech Saudi Hub, an initiative aimed at supporting entrepreneurs, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), as well as the launch the Regulatory Sandbox and Fintech Lab to allow entrepreneurs and companies to test out innovative solutions and business models.

As Saudi Arabia steadily builds up its fintech ecosystem, an increasing number of events supported by the government are being organized to attract the global fintech community and showcase the latest fintech developments in Saudi Arabia.

The following events are three must-attend gatherings that are taking place in the coming months in Saudi Arabia.

ArabNet Riyadh 2019

Not a fintech-focused event per se but definitely an event worth attending, ArabNet Riyadh is the largest technology event in Saudi Arabia. On December 10 and 11, 2019, ArabNet Riyadh will be returning for an eighth edition, which promises to be even bigger than previous years.

This year, ArabNet Royadh will be moving to a new venue, the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center (RICEC), and as the previous year, will feature two events taking place simultaneously under one roof: ArabNet Riyadh, which is expected to attract 2,000+ corporate executives and senior government leaders, and Inspire Saudi, which is set to be attended by 4,000+ entrepreneurs, youth and students.

The two concurrent events will bring together more than 250 experts and speakers from around the world, with full tracks of programming covering a range of topics, including finance, banking and fintech, but also digital media, advertising, and more.

Meftech 2020

Meftech claims to be the Middle East’s longest running banking, finance and fintech event that has attracted some 12,000 senior executives and 1,000 innovative tech providers since inception.

Taking place at the five-star Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh on February 25 and 26, 2020, Meftech 2020 will be held in partnership with Mada & Sadad as well as title sponsor STC Pay. Meftech 2020 will feature an 800-seat conference, a 6,000 sqm exhibition, a fintech competition, an awards ceremony, and a gala dinner.

Top decision makers from government, banks, and large and small enterprises are expected to attend Meftech 2020 to discuss the vibrant fintech ecosystem, e-commerce and payment strategies, and explore how fintech can support all industries and assist in delivering the 2030 Vision of Saudi Arabia.

Seamless Saudi Arabia 2020

On November 17 and 18, 2020, Seamless Saudi Arabia 2020 will be hosting one of the region’s largest payments and commerce technology conference and exhibition.

Seamless Saudi Arabia 2020 will feature separate conference agendas covering the world of payments, fintech, e-commerce and retail, and will include one shared free-to-attend exhibition hosting 150 of the region’s leading tech providers.

The event is set to bring together the entire banking and financial services industry to discuss, debate and evaluate the future of money across two days of keynote presentations, panels, case studies, interviews, demos, roundtables and workshops.

Any more Fintech Events in Saudi?

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