Over the past years, the fintech sector in the Middle East has seen substantial growth. According to the State of Fintech report, the number of startups offering financial services in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region doubled from just 46 in 2013 to 105 in 2015.
MENA’s fintech industry is predicted to enter a new growth era with Accenture and Fintech Hive projecting that by 2022, companies in the space will make up 8% of financial services revenue.
As fintech continues to grow in the region, an increasing number of events are being organized to connect these markets to the rest of world, help professionals establish meaningful connections, and facilitate knowledge sharing. Here we look at the top 13 upcoming fintech events that are being hosted in the coming months in the Middle East.
Zendesk Roadshow Eastern Europe
June 14, 2021 | Online
Zendesk is a leading global developer of customer service solutions. Zendesk creates powerful innovative tools for client interaction that are easy to scale and implement in business of any size.
On June 14 Zendesk will host Zendesk Roadshow, a key online event for CX experts, business managers, and sales representatives. During the event Zendesk experts and experienced guest speakers will reveal vital CX trends for 2021 and the latest strategies that will help you create the perfect customer service.
Follow the link to register: https://bit.ly/3vE5QLh
Open Banking Forum
July 12 – 13, 2021
Virtual
Regional regulators such as UAE Central Bank, Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority, Central Bank of Oman and Central Bank of Bahrain are devoting diligent efforts to open banking initiatives and services through further collaboration with the market.
In line with this and to further help regional banks, the Open Banking Forum aims to discuss the opportunities, challenges and solutions pertaining to adapting this technology. This event will have the presence of decision makers representing the regional central banks and top banking and financial institutions.
Speakers will include officials and experts representing the likes of the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), Emirates NBD Egypt and Mashreq Bank.
Finnovex Middle East
September 7 – 8, 2021
Conrad Dubai, UAE, and virtually
The Middle Eastern banking industry is currently focusing on putting the needs of the customers at the forefront, rethinking the definition of digital banking with the application of data, analytics, technology and innovation.
The 3rd edition of Finnovex Middle East will take place from September 7 to 8, 2021 and feature more than 40 expert speakers who will discuss the latest trends in the space including open banking, customer experience, cybersecurity, data integration and more.
The event will be held as a hybrid event at the Conrad Dubai in the UAE and available virtually. Confirmed speakers include experts representing organizations and companies such as the Dubai Financial Services Authority, Dubai International Financial Center, HSBC, Citi, National Bank of Oman, and more.
MEBIS+
September 15 – 16, 2021
Le Méridien Dubai Conference Centre, UAE
MEBIS+, a sequel event to the Middle East Banking Innovation Summit, will take place in Dubai on September 15 and 16, 2021, and explore the latest technological advancements that are supercharging the banking industry.
MEBIS+ will consist of two knowledge-packed days filled with in-depth fireside chats, roundtable discussions, panels, keynotes and much more. This new and improved summit will also include the MEBIS+ Bank Awards, which will celebrate the institutions that are going above and beyond for their employees and clients.
MEBIS+ will delve into how factors such as automation, AI, machine learning, data analytics and digital transformation are pushing the industry into the future and creating a dynamic, growth-focused banking culture. With hundreds of delegates attending, MEBIS+ is set to be the largest and most influential banking technology event in the MENA region.
Seamless Middle East 2021
September 29 – 30, 2021
Dubai World Trade Centre, UAE
Built on 21 years of history, Seamless Middle East brings together the regional payments, banking and fintech ecosystem for two days of creative exchange, networking, inspiring talks. It is about the big ideas, market disruptors, top industry trends and technologies on which the future marketplace will operate.
This year’s event will focus on payments, e-commerce, retail, identity, fintech, insurtech, banking and cards, and will feature more than 300 speakers representing companies and organizations such as Standard Chartered Bank, the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority, DIFC Fintech Hive, Revolut, Kabbage, Amazon UAE, and Noon.
For more information: Seamless Middle East
IFINTEC Finance Technologies Conference and Exhibition
October 12 – 13, 2021
Istanbul, Turkey
IFINTEC Finance Technologies Conference and Exhibition will be held on October 12 and 13, 2021 in Istanbul, Turkey.
IFINTEC is one of the biggest and most important conferences in the Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region focusing on retail banking, digital banking, core banking, payment systems, banking technologies, digital transformation and fintech.
The conference will feature expert speakers who will share their experience, knowledge, visions and future forecasts. Speeches will be either in Turkish or English and will be simultaneously translated.
At the conference exhibition area, sponsors and exhibitors will have the change to introduce their solutions to the visitors.
Fintech Surge 2021
October 17 – 20, 2021
Dubai World Trade Centre, UAE
Shining a light on the intersection between technology and finance, Fintech Surge will take place from October 17 to 20, 2021 and provide attendees with the opportunity to meet face-to-face with fintech investors, corporate and government buyers, banks and financial institutions and insurance companies.
The event will cover trending and cutting-edge topics, deliver dedicated training sessions and offer personalized networking opportunities. Participants will get to hear from the world’s fintech regulators, investors, banks, associations and innovators who will discuss the latest tech innovations, products and regulatory developments driving the transformation of the banking and financial services sectors.
Register here: https://bit.ly/3fQHuqA
IFN Middle East Forum 2021
October 31, 2021
Dubai, UAE
Islamic finance is deeply rooted in the Middle East, a region which continues to shape the modern Islamic finance industry globally.
Covering the region since 2004 and organizing industry-leading conferences in the Middle East since 2008, IFN will return in 2021 with a new brand in tow: IFN Middle East, a culmination of the various localized and global Islamic finance events under the IFN umbrella, with a specific yet wide-ranging regional focus.
IFN Middle East will gather industry thought leaders and mover shakers from across the region to discuss and identify the sector’s most pressing issues as well as emerging opportunities. From latest innovations, to rising trends and hurdles, IFN Middle East will trace the evolution of the Islamic finance sector in the region through the lens of market practitioners and experts.
Register here: IFN Middle East
Middle East Investment Summit 2021
November 10 – 11, 2021
The Ritz-Carlton DIFC, Dubai, UAE
In its 22nd year, Middle East Investment Summit continues to be the conference of choice for regional and global sovereign wealth funds, family offices, private and institutional investors, high-level fund managers, economists and tech providers.
It is the ultimate annual platform for industry professionals to network, strategize and learn from the industry’s prominent global leaders.
Each year, the summit surveys the region’s top institutional and private investors on industry-wide concerns, challenges and opportunities, and considers their allocation strategies and investment vehicles of choice for the coming year.
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