29th Edition Connected Banking Summit – Ethiopia 2026
The 29th Edition Connected Banking Summit – Innovation & Excellence Awards 2026 is set to take place on 12 August 2026 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, bringing together an elite gathering of banking leaders, regulators, fintech innovators, policymakers, technology providers, and financial services executives to discuss the future of digital banking and financial modernization in emerging markets.
Organized by the International Center for Strategic Alliances (ICSA), this prestigious summit forms part of the Silver Jubilee celebrations of the Connected Banking Summit series, commemorating 25 years of driving innovation, collaboration, and transformation across the global banking and financial services ecosystem.
Recognized as one of Africa's leading executive-level banking platforms, the summit provides a high-impact environment where industry leaders, regulators, investors, and technology pioneers can exchange ideas, explore opportunities, and build partnerships that accelerate financial innovation and economic growth.
Held under the theme "Building Digital Financial Systems and Accelerating Banking Modernization in Emerging Markets," the summit will focus on the technological, regulatory, and strategic initiatives shaping Ethiopia's rapidly evolving financial services landscape.
Ethiopia at a Banking Transformation Crossroads
Ethiopia is entering a defining era of financial transformation. With growing smartphone penetration, increasing digital adoption, regulatory reforms, and government-backed modernization initiatives, the country's banking sector is witnessing unprecedented change.
The financial services industry is expected to experience significant growth in the coming years, supported by rising demand for digital banking solutions, enhanced customer experiences, and greater access to financial services.
As Ethiopia accelerates its transition toward a digital economy, financial institutions are investing heavily in technology-driven solutions that improve operational efficiency, strengthen security, expand financial inclusion, and enhance customer engagement.
The summit will serve as a strategic platform to examine the opportunities, challenges, and innovations shaping the future of Ethiopia's banking ecosystem.
Who Should Attend?
The summit is designed for senior decision-makers from:
Commercial Banks
Central Banks & Regulatory Bodies
Fintech Companies
Payment Service Providers
Telecommunications Companies
Government Institutions
Technology & Cloud Providers
Cybersecurity Firms
Financial Inclusion Organizations
Venture Capital & Investment Firms
Digital Transformation Leaders
Key Attendees Include:
CEOs & Managing Directors
CIOs & CTOs
Chief Digital Officers
Chief Information Security Officers
Heads of Innovation
Heads of Payments
Heads of Retail Banking
Risk & Compliance Leaders
Fintech Founders
Policy Makers & Regulators
Key Focus Areas for 2026
Pioneering Digital Transformation in Ethiopia
Digital-first banking models
Modernizing legacy banking infrastructure
Enterprise-wide transformation strategies
Accelerating financial innovation
Mobile Banking for Financial Inclusion
Expanding access to underserved communities
Mobile-first banking experiences
Driving financial inclusion through technology
Rural banking transformation
Artificial Intelligence & Intelligent Customer Service
AI-powered customer engagement
Chatbots and virtual assistants
Personalized banking experiences
Intelligent automation in banking operations
Building Resilient Digital Banking Infrastructure
Modern core banking systems
Cloud adoption and scalability
Infrastructure modernization strategies
Operational resilience and continuity
The Digital Payments Revolution
Real-time payments
Cashless economy initiatives
Digital wallets and payment ecosystems
Cross-border payment innovation
Open Banking & API Innovation
Open finance ecosystems
API-driven banking services
Collaboration between banks and fintechs
Customer-centric innovation
Cyber Resilience & Banking Security
Fraud prevention strategies
Cybersecurity frameworks
Digital identity and authentication
Risk management and regulatory compliance
Bank–Fintech Collaboration Models
Strategic partnerships
Co-innovation opportunities
Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS)
Accelerating innovation through collaboration
Financial Innovation for the Next Decade
Emerging technologies in banking
Blockchain and distributed ledger technologies
Future-ready banking models
Sustainable financial innovation
What to Expect
Visionary Keynote Sessions
Hear from leading banking executives, central bank representatives, global technology leaders, and fintech pioneers discussing the future of digital finance.
Expert Panel Discussions
Gain practical insights from industry experts on the opportunities and challenges shaping Ethiopia's financial services sector.
Technology Showcase
Explore next-generation solutions across:
Artificial Intelligence
Digital Payments
Cybersecurity
Cloud Infrastructure
Open Banking Platforms
Customer Experience Technologies
Regulatory & Policy Perspectives
Learn from policymakers and regulators about the evolving financial landscape and digital transformation agenda.
Strategic Networking Opportunities
Connect with senior executives, innovators, investors, regulators, and technology providers through curated networking sessions.
Innovation & Excellence Awards 2026
Celebrate organizations and leaders who are driving innovation, transformation, and excellence within Africa's banking and financial services ecosystem.
A Premier Platform for Africa's Financial Evolution
Connected Banking Ethiopia continues to be one of the most influential platforms dedicated to advancing digital banking and financial innovation across Africa.
Summit Legacy
29 Successful Editions Globally
750+ Curated Delegates
80+ Industry Visionaries & Speakers
40+ Hours of Strategic Networking
25 Years of Industry Impact
Through meaningful dialogue, strategic partnerships, and actionable insights, the summit continues to accelerate banking modernization and financial inclusion across emerging markets.
Why Attend?
Gain Industry-Leading Insights
Learn from executives, regulators, and innovators shaping the future of banking in Africa.
Discover Emerging Technologies
Explore practical applications of AI, cybersecurity, digital payments, open banking, and financial infrastructure modernization.
Build Valuable Partnerships
Connect with financial institutions, fintech companies, regulators, investors, and technology providers.
Understand Regulatory Trends
Stay informed about evolving compliance requirements and policy developments impacting the banking industry.
Accelerate Digital Transformation
Identify strategies, technologies, and partnerships that can help future-proof your organization.
About ICSA
The International Center for Strategic Alliances (ICSA) is a globally recognized organization that creates executive platforms designed to accelerate innovation and collaboration across industries. Through its flagship Connected Banking Summit series and other strategic initiatives, ICSA connects senior leaders, policymakers, technology innovators, and industry stakeholders to drive measurable progress across the global financial ecosystem.
Media Partner
StartupNews.fyi is proud to be the Official Media Partner of the 29th Edition Connected Banking Summit – Ethiopia 2026, supporting conversations that drive digital transformation, financial inclusion, innovation, and sustainable growth across Africa's banking ecosystem.
Join the leaders, innovators, regulators, and technology pioneers shaping the future of banking and digital finance in Ethiopia and beyond.
Event Details
Event Name: 29th Edition Connected Banking Summit – Innovation & Excellence Awards 2026
Theme: Building Digital Financial Systems and Accelerating Banking Modernization in Emerging Markets
Date: 12 August 2026
Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Organizer: International Center for Strategic Alliances (ICSA)
Edition: 29th Edition | Silver Jubilee Celebration
