Fintech events in Africa can be centres of crucial conversation, considering the traction that the sector has gained in the continent just in the past year.
In many ways, the development of the fintech industry across the African continent represents a turning point, as mobile technologies take over even as the population remains largely underbanked.
From the striking rise of crypto in the continent, and the funding boom across the fintech sector, to the launch of central bank digital currencies, and the dominance of mobile money, fintech has had a coming-of-age in the continent in 2021.
Going into 2022, not only does this growth need to be sustained, but it also needs to be talked about from multiple stakeholder perspectives.
Whether you’re an investor, an innovator, an ecosystem enabler or part of a startup leadership team, here are some exciting fintech events in Africa for you to attend in the first half of the year.
Fintech events in Africa H1 2022
African Digital Week 2022
Where: Virtual
When: 22 February, 2022
The African Digital Week is a week-long series of 15 forums focusing on trends related to digital technology. Its fintech-focused forum, the Fintech & Digital Banking Innovation Forum, will feature presentations, keynote speeches and other content on topics such as data enablement and risk management, as well as blockchain and crypto, digital banking and more.
The African Digital Week will take place across 21 – 25 February, 2022, with the Fintech & Digital Banking Innovation Forum taking place on 22 February, 2022.
Africa Digital Finance Summit
Where: Kenya
When: 22 February, 2022
This second edition of the Africa Digital Finance Summit will discuss the future of finance in Africa, and solutions in digital finance and DeFi space. The inaugural edition of the conference took place in Kenya this year.
The event will culminate in an awards ceremony for digital finance and DeFi startups and companies in Africa. It will also feature government players, African central bank authorities, startups, and fintech professionals coming together at the conference.
Africa Tech Summit Nairobi
Where: Nairobi, Kenya
When: 23 – 24 February 2022
The Africa Tech Summit is returning for its fourth edition, this time in Nairobi. The summit provides a space for African and international tech players to converge, discussing topics across money and DeFi, startups, and mobile technologies.
Attendees include tech corporate players, mobile operators, fintechs, DeFi and crypto ventures, investors, startups, regulators and industry stakeholders. The conference also covers fintech-related themes, such as digital identity, blockchain, mobile money, and financial inclusion.
Blockchain Africa Conference 2022
Where: Johannesburg, South Africa / Virtual
When:17 – 18 March, 2022
The Blockchain Africa Conference revolves around the opportunities and use cases of blockchain technology globally and in Africa. The 8th edition of the conference returns in a hybrid format, with a virtual leg as well as an offline version in South Africa.
The two-day conference will involve featured sessions, keynotes, panels and fireside chats on blockchain and crypto, both in Africa and globally. It will also provide networking opportunities with professionals from the finance, insurance, and logistics industries, amongst others. Blockchain and crypto projects will be demonstrated at an exhibition as well.
Finnovex East Africa
Where: Virtual
When: 20 – 21 April, 2022
The 2022 edition of the Finnovex East Africa conference will touch upon themes of financial inclusion, agent banking, data security, mobile wallets, cloud banking and more. The event will also feature an awards ceremony.
The conference is expecting over 250 VIP attendees, including C-suite executives and senior management and leadership. The conference will take place virtually on an AI-powered virtual streaming platform featuring live demo rooms and contests.
Finnovex also has Southern Africa and West Africa editions taking place in July and October respectively.
Digital PayExpo 2022
Where: Lagos, Nigeria / Virtual
When: 9 – 10 June, 2022
The DigitalPayExpo returns for its 22nd edition next year. The conference will focus on accessing finance without a third party across the African continent through DeFi technologies. It will throw light on the potential implications, complexities, and risks of using DeFi applications.
The expo will have over 50 experts speaking at the event, more than 100 fintech exhibition booths and an expected audience of over 2000. It will follow a hybrid format, but with a focus on the physical gathering.
FinTech Summit Africa
Where: Johannesburg, South Africa / Virtual
When: 14 – 15 June, 2022
The FinTech Summit Africa will touch upon multiple fintech-related topics, including automation of financial services, regtech, SME banking, insurtech and risk, digital banking, and more. It is aimed at C-Level executives and leadership from financial institutions in Africa.
The two-day event will host 15 speakers across 10 sessions, and will cater to an audience of 500 attendees. It will also provide a space for networking opportunities and round table discussions.
