Innovation & Excellence awards - 2025
East Africa
"Empowering East Africa’s Financial Future"
12th March | Nairobi, Kenya
- VenueNairobi, Kenya
- Date 12th March, 2025
20th Edition
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Overview
Connected Banking East Africa
Connected Banking East Africa is a pivotal summit driving the region’s digital transformation and advancing financial inclusion in the BFSI sector. As East Africa stands at a critical crossroads, the need for strategic innovation in banking is more urgent than ever. With challenges such as limited digital infrastructure, rising cybersecurity threats, and a significant digital skills gap, the region requires collaborative solutions to foster growth and resilience.
- The summit brings together industry leaders to address these pressing issues, explore the adoption of scalable technologies like cloud computing, and drive sustainable solutions for mobile financial services. With 76% of African banks considering digital transformation a top priority and East Africa leading mobile banking adoption, the summit serves as a vital platform for the region’s banking sector to explore future-ready technologies and innovative partnerships.
- Moreover, the summit focuses on bridging the digital divide, with discussions on enhancing internet accessibility, improving digital literacy, and addressing regulatory frameworks needed for secure digital platforms. In a time where digital skills are growing exponentially but internet access remains limited, Connected Banking East Africa plays a central role in shaping a future of inclusive growth.
- This is a unique opportunity for key stakeholders to engage in meaningful dialogue, share insights, and collaborate on actionable solutions that will define the future of banking in East Africa.
12th
March
2025
20th
Edition
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Connected Banking East Africa brings together BFSI leaders, tech providers, and policymakers to address key industry challenges and drive digital transformation. This summit is essential for advancing financial inclusion in the region, offering insights into digitalization strategies and fostering solution-driven partnerships. The Connected Banking Series is the perfect platform for networking, discussing practical solutions, and exploring banking technologies.
What in Store for you at Connected Banking?
Connected Banking East Africa aims to deliver tangible, impactful outcomes.
Strategic Insights and Actionable Roadmaps:
Executives will gain actionable strategies for addressing digital transformation challenges and leveraging the latest technologies in the sector.
Enhanced Financial Inclusion Strategies:
Sessions will emphasize mobile banking, digital skills, and infrastructure improvements to bring financial services closer to the underserved.
Innovative Solutions to Key Challenges:
By facilitating interactions between banking leaders and technology providers, the event will highlight solutions in areas such as cybersecurity, data management, and cloud infrastructure, which are critical for sustainable growth.
Partnership Opportunities:
The event will foster partnerships between financial institutions and technology providers, creating pathways for collaboration that address regional infrastructure limitations and cybersecurity needs.
Why Connected Banking East Africa?
Market Potential:
With a rapidly expanding digital financial services ecosystem, East Africa is positioned as a frontrunner in mobile banking and financial inclusion.
Urgency of Digital Transformation:
Digital transformation is no longer optional but essential to stay competitive. With cybersecurity concerns and limited digital infrastructure, the need for resilient, scalable solutions is higher than ever.
Inclusion and Accessibility:
Financial inclusion remains a critical goal for East African economies, with mobile banking showing enormous potential to bring banking services to underserved populations.
Strategic Partnerships:
The BFSI sector requires partnerships with technology providers to address regional challenges. By connecting decision-makers with solution providers, the event becomes a pivotal platform for actionable collaborations.
Key Focus
Connected Banking East Africa Will Focus On
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Focus AreaPioneering Digital Transformation in East Africa
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Focus AreaMobile Banking for Financial Inclusion
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Focus AreaAI and Chatbots in Customer Service
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Focus AreaBuilding Resilient Digital Banking Infrastructure
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Focus AreaDigital Payments Revolution
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Focus AreaOpen Banking as a Catalyst for Innovation
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Focus AreaCyber Resilience Strategies
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Focus AreaOvercoming Barriers to Digital Banking Adoption
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Focus AreaCollaboration between Banks and Fintech Startups
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Focus AreaFinancial Innovation through Banking
For more updates on the agenda and speaking slots, register now.
SHE: Honoring Inspiring Women
As part of the 20th Edition Connected Banking Summit – Innovation & Excellence Awards, SHE is a special segment celebrating International Women’s Day and recognizing the remarkable contributions of women in innovation, leadership, and financial inclusion. Women have been at the forefront of transformation, breaking barriers, driving progress, and shaping industries despite challenges like gender bias and limited leadership representation.
SHE is more than a tribute
it’s a platform to spotlight inspiring journeys, foster diversity, and empower future leaders. By sharing stories of resilience and success, we aim to create a more inclusive, progressive world where leadership and innovation know no gender boundaries. Join us in celebrating the women shaping our future.
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Speakers
John Gachora
Group Managing Director / CEO, NCBA Bank
Daniel M.K. Mainda
Chief Executive Officer, Nairobi International Financial Centre Authority
Caroline Mackola
Director, Finance, Central Bank of Kenya
Abdi Mohamed
Managing Director/ CEO, Absa Bank Kenya
Abhinav Nehra
Chief Executive Officer, CIB Kenya
Elijah Wamalwa
Managing Director and CEO, Co-operative Bank of South Sudan
Makabelo Malumane
MD & Head Transaction Banking, Kenya and East Africa, Standard Chartered Kenya
Mary Mulili
MD/CEO, UBA Kenya
Joshua Oigara
CEO, Stanbic Bank Kenya
Tamara Cook
Chief Executive Officer, Financial Sector Deepening (FSD) Kenya
Josephine Anan Ankomah
Regional Executive, Central, Eastern, and Southern Africa (CESA) & MD, Ecobank Kenya
Fabian Kasi
Managing Director, Centenary Bank
Carine Umutoni
Managing Director, Ecobank Rwanda
Akofa Dakwa
Deputy Managing Director, Bank of Africa Kenya Ltd
Daphne Maina
Deputy CEO & Executive Director, CIB Kenya
Jaine Mwai
Chief Technology and Operations Officer, Standard Chartered Kenya
Eveque Mutabaruka
Chief Information Officer, Bank of Kigali
Apollo Njoroge
Chief Operating Officer, ABC The Bank
Aijaz A. Shalla
Chief Operating Officer, SBM Bank Kenya
Joel K. Busienei
Head of ICT/CIO, Consolidated Bank of Kenya
Fidelis Mwaka Muia
Director, Technical Services, Kenya Bankers Association
Dennis Volemi
Group Director of Technology, KCB Bank Group
Amrit Gayan
Group Director - Shared Services, Equity Group Holdings Plc
Bonaventura Paul
Director of Retail Banking, CRDB Bank Tanzania
Philip Galego
General Manager - Business Intelligence and Analytics, Equity Bank
Kennedy Yegon
Deputy General Manager - Head of ICT, Kenya Deposit Insurance Corporation (KDIC)
Andrey Semenyuchenko
Head of Corporate Security Solutions, Kaspersky
Janet Dali
Head of Partnerships, Diamond Trust BankSeries Impact
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Series Speakers
Timothy Were
Deputy Director, Minsitry of ICT & Digital Economy
Cyrus Kamau
Deputy Director and Chief Analyst, Infrastructure and ICT, National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI)
Stanley Kamanguya
CEO, ICT Authority
Mary Mulili
Executive Director, UBA Bank Kenya
Morris Maina
CEO, TransUnion Kenya
Samuel Addae Minta
Country Managing Director Access Bank (Kenya) PLC, Regional Managing Director East Africa Access Bank
Makabelo Malumane
Managing Director, Head of Transaction Banking, Kenya and East Africa, Standard Chartered Bank
Sumayya Hassan
CEO, Takaful Insurance of Africa
Joshua Odongo
CEO, Tusenti Limited
David Mukaru
Chief Executive Officer, Caritas Microfinance Bank
Kuldip Paliwal
Managing Director & CEO, First Alliance Bank Zambia
Michael Michie
CTO, Solv Kenya
Raphael Lekolool
Managing Director, Post Bank Kenya
Samuel Njuguna
Co-Founder, Chumz
Hartnell Ndungi
Chief Data Officer, ABSA Africa
Desmond Takawira
Chief Technology Officer, Steward Bank
Julius Orayo
Group Chief Information Officer, Jubilee Insurance
Amrit Gayan
Chief Operating Officer, SBM Bank Kenya
Chresta C. Kaluba
Chief Risk Officer, Atlas Mara Zambia
Obinna Ukwaini
Chief Digital Officer, Bank of Kigali
John Frank Githiaka
Founder & COO, Benkiko DAO
Olanma John-Agbaje
Country Operations Officer, Access Bank Rwanda Plc
George Njuguna
CIO, Safaricom PLC
Martin M. Omido
Head of ICT (CIO), Consolidated Bank Of Kenya Limited
Sahil Arya
CIO & Head of Banking Technology and Digital Transformation, Gulf African Bank
Faheem Ali
Chief Technology Officer, Elite Digital Solutions
Henry Mwiki
Chief Information Security Officer, Diamond Trust Bank
Thomas Gachie
CEO, TEK SSS Financial & Management Consultants
Carol Koech
Strategy Director, Sustainability & Thought Leadership – Schneider Electric International Operations
Moses Ndirangu
Director – Corporate Banking, Equity Bank (Kenya) LtdGeorge Njuguna
CIO, Safaricom PLC
Sandeep Mohapatra
Director - Digital Transformation & Technology, Absa Group Mauritius
Shaun Edmeston
Director of Customer Experience, Absa Group Mauritius
Angela Mwirigi
Director, Digital Financial Services, KCB Bank Group
Michael Mbuthia
East Africa Regional Director, Africa Nenda
Phyllis Migwi
Country Manager, Microsoft East Africa
Olu Meyanbe
Regional Head, Strategic Business Analytics, Africa & Middle East, Standard Chartered Bank Kenya
Karanja Gichiri
Vice President Banking, Capital Markets and Advisory, Citi
Moses Munguti
Lead Technical Expert East Africa, Kaspersky
Philip Galego
General Manager - Business Intelligence and Analytics, Equity Bank
Matilda Kobia
Group Head, eFX Solutions and E-commerce Sales, Treasury, Equity Bank Ltd
Charles Kinyanjui
Head New Ventures & Fintech Development, National Bank Of Kenya
Kenneth Ringera
Account Lead, Microsoft East Africa
Janet Dali
Head of Partnerships, Diamond Trust Bank
Winnie Kaaka
Head of Products & Channels, Access Bank PLC
Monicah Mugure Ndung'u
Head, Payments, RPC & Remittances, Ecobank Kenya Limited
John Mchaki
Head of Technology Services, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated
Wole Odeleye
Technology Lead, Financial Services Industry
Vishal Nema
Lead (Product Marketing), Freshworks
Asha Kamenge
Head of Product Innovation, Gulf African Bank
Winston Vimalraj
Territory Sales Lead (Africa), Freshworks
John Njoroge
Digital Banking Lead, Guardian Bank
Anna Njoki Amasinde
Head of Business Banking, HFC Kenya
Winnifred Syowai Onyancha
Corporate Relationship Public Sector & Transaction Banking Expert, KCB Bank Group
Nyambura Ndung’u
Head, Customer Experience, SBM Bank (Kenya) Ltd.
Angela Mandi
Executive, Head East Africa Corporate and Investment Banking Credit, Stanbic Bank
Victor Odada
Head, Digital Banking & E-commerce, Stanbic
Konstantin Tsanis
FinTech Expert
Isaiah Opiyo
Product Manager, TransUnion Kenya
Dr. Henry Clarke Kisembo, PhD
Global Chief Managing Partner, Development Associates Link International (DALI)
Adons Aryong
AG. Head Data Analytics, Financial Modelling Analyst, DFCU Bank
Everline Wangu Kamau
Territory Manager at VMware by Broadcom
Bamidele Olalekan Oseni
Managing Partner, Caleb Consulting Uganda Ltd
Neo Gong
Senior Solutions Director, Huawei
Series Media Partners
Connected Banking Summit
Unlock the future of banking at the Connected Banking Summit Series! Connect with visionary leaders, industry experts, and innovators shaping the banking and financial landscape. This is your gateway to cutting-edge technology, groundbreaking insights, and transformative solutions designed to propel your business forward. Seize unparalleled opportunities to network with key decision-makers, discover industry-leading innovations, and gain actionable strategies to stay ahead of the competition. Whether you’re looking to grow your network, explore new solutions, or lead the charge in financial innovation, the Connected Banking Summit is where it all begins. This is your opportunity to connect, learn, and grow in the ever-evolving world of banking. Don’t miss out—take the next step toward innovation and success. Register today! Register
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