11th Africa Fintech Summit kicks off in Kenya

The 11th Africa Fintech Summit (AFTS) kicks off at the GTC JW Marriott in Nairobi, Kenya, from September 4 to September 6, 2024.

The Africa Fintech Summit is the most significant Pan-African endeavour that brings together investors, regulators, innovators, and senior decision-makers in Africa’s fintech sector to shape the future of this quickly expanding industry. AFTS was established in 2017 and has held summits in Lusaka, Washington DC, Lagos, Cairo, Addis Ababa, and Cape Town.

The Africa Fintech Summit (AFTS) is a global forum where fintech players come together to establish alliances, attract capital, present innovations, work together to address and resolve industry problems, spot trends, and influence policy in the direction of a prosperous African fintech ecosystem centred around teamwork.

This year’s Summit aimed to bring together the challenges, developments, and innovators influencing the continent’s financial technology sector.
After hosting its inaugural summit in early 2018, AFTS has grown to become the largest biannual gathering of financial technology stakeholders on the African continent, drawing in over 4,000 participants from over 100 nations.

Highlights of what to expect at the Africa Fintech Summit

The event is expected to have an exciting program of speakers and possibilities.
Highlights include the largest African fintech exhibition of the year featuring influential startups and unicorns, an exclusive VIP dinner before the summit, and thought-provoking panel discussions led by prominent industry figures.

Additional highlights of the summit include expert keynote talks, fireside chats with well-known business owners and investors, a USAID-sponsored AlphaExpo Micro-Accelerator pitch competition, partner workshops for increased participation, optional tours of the Nairobi ecosystem, and daily happy hours for informal networking.

Dinner with VIPs

AFTSNairobi formally starts with a special dinner for VIP attendees, speakers, sponsors, regulators, and partners the evening before AFTS opens.

Thought-provoking panel engagement

Panel discussions will bring together innovators, investors, regulators, and enablers to discuss essential topics affecting Africa and the diaspora and gain industry knowledge from the change agents.

Networking with leading industry stakeholders

Since AFTS is a community organisation, networking opportunities are abundant at each summit. After all, the main goal of attending a conference is always to make new friends and reconnect with existing ones.

Fintech exhibition

This year’s AFTSNairobi exhibition is an excellent opportunity for delegates and entrepreneurs to network, generate leads, and establish connections. It showcases unicorns and companies bringing innovation, impact, and inclusivity to the African continent.

Keynote speeches by experts and fireside chats

A regulator actively involved in the African fintech industry will give a keynote address to officially launch AFTSLusaka. During fireside chats, prominent investors and entrepreneurs from the continental ecosystem will participate.

AlphaExpo Pitch Competition for Micro-Accelerators

With the help of the AlphaExpo Micro-Accelerator, ten to fifteen early-stage entrepreneurs may maximise their time at the summit and depart AFTS with the meaningful connections, dialogues, and information needed to advance. Its USAID-sponsored Pitch Competition, to be held at AFTSNairobi, will bring the program to a close.

Workshops with Partners

The partner workshops would go more profound than the panel discussions. AFTSNairobi will provide multiple partner workshops that give attendees a more direct, one-on-one learning experience.

Ecosystem Tours in Nairobi

On the last day of the summit, participants can tour Nairobi with the AFTS team and visit stakeholder offices. This year, the Investing in Nairobi Ecosystem Tour and the Expanding to Nairobi Ecosystem Tour will be held.

Happy Hour Following the Event

Every day after the summit, stay for the Happy Hour to unwind and socialise while sipping a glass of wine or a pint of beer. The happy hour is free for all summit delegates and will include live music.