As movement restrictions are easing up around the world, physical events are coming back. In the Middle East, the region’s top fintech hub, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), will be hosting several major fintech conferences and trade shows in the months to come. Here are 14 of the top upcoming fintech events to attend in the UAE.

Finnovex Middle East

September 7 – 8, 2021

Conrad Dubai, 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 3^rd 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

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, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), 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 Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

Seamless Middle East 2021

September 29 – 30, 2021

Dubai World Trade Centre

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

13^th International Smart City Expo 2021

October 4 – 5, 2021

Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) – Gate Building, Atrium DIFC, Dubai

As the world becomes increasingly interconnected and technology-dependent, a new wave of smart applications is changing how we approach everyday activities. Utility appliances such as intelligent fridges, personal assistants like Amazon’s Alexa or smart home security applications are creating opportunities for more efficient living.

At the Smart City Expo 2021, participants will get to understand how urban services are being transformed by technologies including the Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, AI and more.

During the E-Commerce Conference session, participants will get to learn more about the developments within innovative payment methods such as e-wallets, in-app purchasing, and peer-to-peer (P2P) lending. They will also get to explore how consumers can utilize emerging payment methods for greater payments security, accessibility, convenience, and efficiency.

Key conference themes will encompass emerging trends including digital transformation, cybersecurity, future currencies and sustainable development goals (SDGs).

Alternative Investment Management Summit – Dubai Edition 2021

October 11 – 12, 2021

DIFC, Dubai

The 11^th edition of Alternative Investment Management (AIM) Summit will be an exclusive gathering connecting global and regional industry leaders and investors discussing the transpiring financial, economic, and social trends as we gradually emerge from the pandemic.

The event will feature in-depth panel discussions, breakout sessions, and roundtables covering the latest investment trends, opportunities, and developments in the world of alternative investment, covering private equity, venture capital, private debt, real estate, digital assets, cryptocurrencies, and more.

More than 50 institutional and private investors, fund and wealth managers, family offices and sovereign wealth funds are expected to convene across the two-day event to network, including key influential figures, thought-leaders, and decision-makers.

Global DeFI Investment Summit

October 11 – 12, 2021

Dubai

The Global DeFi Investment Summit series aims to connect global crypto gurus and technology players including emerging startups, decentralized finance (DeFi) projects, non-fungible token (NFT) projects, tech entrepreneurs, investors and blockchain developers.

The two-day event is expected to bring together more than 300 delegates, and will include an exhibition, as well as keynotes, panel discussion, fireside chats and solution showcases.

Key topics covered will include the blockchain ecosystem, crypto investing, digital currency regulation and policies, DeFi and NFTs, decentralized applications (Dapps), decentralized exchanges, and more.

World Blockchain Summit

October 13 – 14, 2021

Dubai

The World Blockchain Summit will take place on October 13 and 14 in Dubai and will feature 16+ hours of unconventional networking with 500+ senior-level professionals from governments and enterprises along with curated investors, blockchain experts and developers.

Key topics covered will include the roadmap to mass adoption, central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), the NFT market, DeFi, stablecoins and blockchain implementation in business processes.

Future Blockchain Summit

October 17 – 20, 2021

Dubai World Trade Centre

Future Blockchain Summit is set to be the Middle East’s leading blockchain and crypto event bringing together the industries brightest minds, game changing creators, leading investors and most disruptive businesses and startups for four days of networking, investing and education centered around the most disruptive technology since the internet: blockchain technology.

Taking place from October 17 to 20, 2021 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, the summit will also be co-located alongside five other tech shows coming together to shape the world’s tech industry: GITEX Technology Week, Ai Everything, GITEX Futures Stars, Fintech Surge and Marketing Mania.

Fintech Surge 2021

October 17 – 20, 2021

Dubai World Trade Centre

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

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

In its 22^nd year, the 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.

International Financial Expo

November 17 – 18, 2021

Dubai World Trade Center Tower – Sheikh Rashid Tower

After successful editions in Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur, IFINEXPO is coming to the UAE in November 2021.

Themed “Connecting, making finance more efficient,” the expo will feature foreign exchange brokers, fintech companies and technology solutions companies. Exhibitors attending the summit will also include key though-leaders in the PE, VC, M&A and real estate industries.

Key topics covered will include the future of the UAE’s financial market, the use of AI in trading, regulations, and more.

Middle East Enterprise AI & Analytics Summit

November 22 – 23, 2021

Dubai

The Middle East Enterprise AI & Analytics Summit (#MEEAI) will take place on November 22 and 23, 2021 under the theme “Digital New Normal: Paving the way for Enterprise AI & Analytics.”

The hybrid event is set to bring together tech thought-leaders and like-minded officials across the MENA region to unveil key AI and analytics trends and to discuss the promising future of these emerging technologies across various departments and sectors, including the banking and financial services industry (BFSI), retail and e-commerce, government and healthcare.

Fintech Abu Dhabi 2021

November 22 – 24, 2021

Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi

The annual Fintech Abu Dhabi festival will be returning in November 2021 for its 5^th edition. This year’s event will be held in a new hybrid format offering a combination of virtual and onsite sessions.

In addition to the renowned Fintech100 program, Innovation Challenge, Government Fintech Forum and Fintech Awards, Fintech Abu Dhabi 2021 will offer a number of inspirational new features, including:

• Fintech for Good, dedicated forum taking a closer look at the intersection of sustainability, fintech and innovation;
• CxO21, a deep dive into the worlds of corporate innovation and digital banking;
• Token, focusing on the fast-evolving world of digital assets and currencies;
• Risk4.0, bringing together experts in financial security;
• Fintech Souk, a close look at cutting-edge developments in retail and payments;
• Majlis Forum, a new, invitation-only platform for senior public and private sector leaders from across the globe to connect and collaborate;

plus:

• Global Investors & Founders Forum on November 22, 2021, a private, invite-only day dedicated to networking and fintech investment deal making.