The 28th Edition Connected Banking Summit – Southern Africa 2026 is set to take place on 8 July 2026 in Johannesburg, South Africa, bringing together the region's most influential banking leaders, fintech innovators, policymakers, regulators, technology providers, and financial services professionals to shape the future of digital banking across Southern Africa.

Organized by the International Center for Strategic Alliances (ICSA), this landmark edition holds special significance as the Silver Jubilee Edition, celebrating 25 years of the Connected Banking Summit series. Over the past two and a half decades, the summit has emerged as one of the most respected platforms for driving innovation, fostering collaboration, and accelerating transformation within the global banking and financial services ecosystem.

Held under the theme "Advancing Intelligent Banking, Security, and Enterprise Digital Modernization in South Africa," the summit will focus on how financial institutions can leverage emerging technologies, strengthen cybersecurity, modernize enterprise infrastructure, and deliver intelligent, customer-centric banking experiences in an increasingly digital world.

As Southern Africa continues its rapid digital evolution, fueled by increasing mobile adoption, fintech innovation, financial inclusion initiatives, and investments in secure digital infrastructure, the summit will provide a strategic platform for industry leaders to explore practical solutions, regulatory developments, and transformative technologies shaping the future of banking.

Who Should Attend?

The summit is designed for senior executives and decision-makers from:

• Banks & Financial Institutions

• Central Banks & Regulatory Authorities

• Fintech Companies

• Payment Service Providers

• Telecommunications Companies

• Government Agencies

• Technology & Cloud Providers

• Cybersecurity Firms

• Digital Transformation Leaders

• Risk & Compliance Professionals

• Investors & Venture Capital Firms

Key Attendees Include:

• CEOs & Managing Directors

• Chief Information Officers (CIOs)

• Chief Digital Officers (CDOs)

• Chief Technology Officers (CTOs)

• Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs)

• Heads of Innovation

• Heads of Payments

• Heads of Risk & Compliance

• Banking Transformation Leaders

• Fintech Founders & Executives

Key Discussion Areas

Digital Banking Transformation in Africa

• Next-generation digital banking strategies

• Modernizing legacy banking infrastructure

• Building future-ready financial institutions

• Accelerating digital adoption across customer segments

Cybersecurity & Fraud Prevention

• Strengthening cyber resilience

• Fraud detection and prevention strategies

• Identity protection and secure transactions

• Regulatory compliance and data protection

Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning

• AI-driven customer engagement

• Intelligent banking operations

• Predictive analytics and risk assessment

• Automation and operational efficiency

Cloud Adoption & Enterprise Modernization

• Cloud-powered banking transformation

• Infrastructure modernization strategies

• Scalable and secure enterprise systems

• Operational agility and innovation

Open Banking & API Ecosystems

• Open finance opportunities

• API-driven innovation

• Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS)

• Ecosystem partnerships and collaboration

Data Intelligence, Risk & Compliance

• Data-driven decision-making

• Regulatory technology (RegTech)

• Governance and risk management

• Real-time compliance monitoring

Customer Experience & Financial Inclusion

• Expanding access to financial services

• Mobile-first banking solutions

• Enhancing customer journeys

• Inclusive financial ecosystems

Summit Highlights

Visionary Keynote Sessions

Hear from banking CEOs, central bank representatives, policymakers, fintech pioneers, and global technology leaders discussing the future of financial services in Africa.

Executive Panel Discussions

Engage with experts exploring the latest developments in digital banking, AI, cybersecurity, enterprise modernization, regulation, and financial inclusion.

Technology Innovation Showcase

Discover cutting-edge solutions transforming the banking sector, including AI platforms, cybersecurity tools, cloud technologies, payment innovations, and digital banking solutions.

Strategic Networking Opportunities

Connect with C-suite executives, regulators, fintech innovators, investors, and technology providers from across Southern Africa and beyond.

Innovation & Excellence Awards

Celebrate organizations and leaders who are driving innovation, excellence, and digital transformation within the banking and financial services industry.

Why Attend?

Gain Actionable Industry Insights

Learn from leading experts and decision-makers shaping the future of banking and financial services across Africa.

Explore Emerging Technologies

Discover practical applications of AI, cloud computing, open banking, cybersecurity, and data intelligence.

Understand Regulatory Developments

Stay informed about evolving regulations, compliance requirements, and policy initiatives impacting the financial sector.

Build Strategic Partnerships

Network with banks, fintech companies, regulators, investors, and technology providers to unlock new business opportunities.

Accelerate Digital Transformation

Explore proven strategies for modernizing operations, enhancing customer experiences, and building resilient financial institutions.

Driving Impact Through Collaboration

The Connected Banking Summit continues to serve as a powerful catalyst for collaboration between financial institutions, fintech disruptors, regulators, and technology providers. By bringing together diverse stakeholders under one roof, the event enables meaningful conversations, strategic partnerships, and innovative solutions that drive sustainable growth, resilience, and trust across the banking ecosystem.

About ICSA

The International Center for Strategic Alliances (ICSA) is a globally recognized organization dedicated to creating impactful platforms that connect industry leaders, innovators, and decision-makers across multiple sectors. Through its flagship summit series, ICSA continues to facilitate knowledge exchange, foster partnerships, and drive transformative conversations that shape industries worldwide.

Media Partner

StartupNews.fyi is proud to be the Official Media Partner of the 28th Edition Connected Banking Summit – Southern Africa 2026, supporting conversations that drive innovation, digital transformation, financial inclusion, and secure banking ecosystems across Africa.

Join the leaders, innovators, regulators, and technology pioneers shaping the next chapter of banking transformation in Southern Africa.

Event Details

Event Name: 28th Edition Connected Banking Summit – Southern Africa 2026

Edition: Silver Jubilee Edition (25 Years of Connected Banking)

Theme: Advancing Intelligent Banking, Security, and Enterprise Digital Modernization in South Africa

Date: 8 July 2026

Location: Johannesburg, South Africa