JUNE 15 – The Africa Fintech Festival concluded yesterday in Naivasha, with industry players reiterating the need for smart regulation, green technology and agritech.

The four-day event, a collaboration between the Association of Fintechs in Kenya (AFK), AFIK and the African Fintech Network (AFN), is expected to meet entrepreneurs, investors, regulators and next-generation Gen Z, among others. , chart the next phase of progress for the industry in key African markets, and increase international collaboration.

“Collaboration, not competition” has been the call from key Fintech leaders in the country, as well as the government, as they reiterated the importance of standardization and collaboration in driving the growth of the sector across the continent.

The second day of the meeting featured insights ranging from financial inclusion and cross-border transactions, the relationship and collaboration opportunities between banking institutions and fintechs, the role of women in driving fintech growth, and driving innovation through local financing.

“This year’s edition of the Africa Fintech Festival, AFF, in Kenya aims to be the premier platform for shaping the future of finance in Africa. By bringing together diverse perspectives and promoting collaboration, the festival aims to accelerate the adoption of Fintech solutions that address the continent’s unique challenges and opportunities,” said Ali Hussein, Chairman of AFK, VP Eastern African Region, and Member of the Board of Directors, Africa Fintech Network.

The Africa Fintech Festival has been a cornerstone for industry leaders, technology enthusiasts, innovators and policymakers alike since 2018, with previous editions in Nigeria, Uganda and Mauritius.

This year’s edition is expected to inject over Sh20 million into Naivasha’s nascent economy through direct expenditure over the next three days.

There are more than 230 global partners, including Mastercard, Safaricom, Old Mutual, Experian MicroAnalytics, Credit Info and Ecobank, among others. Perhaps in a clear indication of the goodwill in terms of collaboration, Fintech stakeholders from across Africa were also in attendance, led by the President of the Africa Fintech Network, AFN, Segun Aina, the President of the Fintech Association of South Africa, FINASA, Kagisho Dichabe, and his Botswana counterpart, Tavonga Muchuchuti.

Others include representatives from the Bank of Ghana, the Central Bank of Egypt and Meriem Yacoubi, Partner, Digital Transformation and Cybersecurity, Morocco.