Conference Idea:

The Africa Cashless Payment Systems Conference aims to bring together key stakeholders from the financial sector, technology industry, and regulatory bodies to explore, discuss, and collaborate on advancing the continent’s transition towards a safer and more robust cashless economy.

Objectives:

• Promoting Security: Addressing and mitigating security concerns in cashless transactions, including fraud prevention, data protection, and cybersecurity measures.
• Financial Inclusion: Focusing on strategies and technologies to enhance accessibility and inclusivity in digital financial services, ensuring that a broader spectrum of the population can benefit.
• Innovation Showcase: Providing a platform for fintech companies, startups, and established players to exhibit and discuss cutting-edge technologies, products, and services shaping the cashless landscape.
• Regulatory Frameworks: Facilitating discussions between industry experts and regulatory authorities to establish and refine frameworks that foster a secure yet flexible environment for cashless transactions.
• Collaboration Opportunities: Encouraging collaboration among financial institutions, technology providers, and government bodies to create synergies that drive the adoption of cashless payment systems.
• Education and Awareness: Promoting public awareness and education on the benefits, safety measures, and responsible use of cashless transactions to build confidence among users.
• Recognition through Awards: Acknowledging and celebrating outstanding contributions and innovations in the field of cashless payments through awards, inspiring further advancements in the industry.

By addressing these objectives, the conference aims to be a catalyst for positive change, driving the evolution of cashless payment systems in Africa towards increased efficiency, security, and widespread adoption.

• 1. Government Representatives: Officials from Nigerian regulatory bodies and relevant government ministries, as well as representatives from other African countries, contributing to policy discussions and collaboration.
  2. Financial Institutions: Executives, decision-makers, and professionals from banks, credit unions, and other financial entities seeking insights into the latest developments in cashless payment systems.
  3. Technology Leaders: Representatives from fintech companies, software developers, and technology providers showcasing innovative solutions and contributing to discussions on the technological advancements in the cashless landscape.
  4. Business Leaders: Entrepreneurs, CEOs, and business leaders from various industries interested in leveraging cashless payment systems for enhanced efficiency and growth.
  5. Academia and Research: Scholars, researchers, and educators focusing on finance, economics, and technology, contributing to the academic discourse and knowledge sharing.
  6. International Delegates: Representatives from global organizations, financial institutions, and international bodies interested in understanding Africa’s cashless payment ecosystem and exploring potential collaborations.
  7. Consumers and End Users: Representatives of consumer advocacy groups, as well as individuals interested in understanding and contributing to the development of secure and user-friendly cashless payment systems.
  8. Media Representatives: Journalists, bloggers, and media professionals covering the event and disseminating information about the latest trends, discussions, and innovations in the cashless payment space.

  The diverse participation of these groups is expected to foster rich discussions, collaboration, and networking opportunities, contributing to the overall success of the Africa Cashless Payment Systems Conference.

• Participants will expand their network by meeting influential top fintech executives.
• Meet leading tech-enabled financial solutions vendors.
• Visit exhibition booths for cutting-edge fintech demos.
• Listen to first hand expert advice and presentations.
• Connect with CEOs for expert advice and business incubation strategies.
• Experience cutting-edge financial product.
• Understand the nuances in digital economy and crypto market and other digital assets.
• Meet key financial policy development stakeholders.
• Discover latest innovations and products in the financial system.
• Have a one on one audience with cyber security experts.

For many decades, Africa had limited access to traditional financial services such as reliable financial technology, loans, insurance, and credit facilities. However, the continent has recently begun to witness unprecedented growth in its Financial Technology sector (popularly known as Fintech). This growth may be attributable to the fact that many countries in Africa have been able to showcase their potential for economic growth, causing them to be attractive to foreign investors across the globe.

2021 was a record year for fintech investment in Africa, and the momentum is only likely to increase. After the brief economic disruptions occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic, the deals came back with massive foreign investment inflow. Available data show that over US $1.6bn were invested across 153 deals, two times the value of 2020 (US $800m) and representing a 50{fa40c7335c8f963ca7e8a8c671e2c1c7a99bc9a3f8a67fe9d9eded87804c6380} increase in transaction numbers.

The key investment markets remain Nigeria in the West, Kenya in the East, and South Africa in the South. Other countries such as Egypt have also seen some sizeable deals. In Nigeria, the value of deals in the first quarter of 2021 alone outstripped that of 2020. To raise such a quantum of finance from foreign sources is unprecedented in a period when other economies are witnessing very slow recovery from the pandemic.

Africa is the second largest banking market in the world today in terms of growth and profitability, partly because of the rapid adoption of new technology. Although most customers are yet to enroll into the use tech-enabled banking solutions, such facilities are available in about 80{fa40c7335c8f963ca7e8a8c671e2c1c7a99bc9a3f8a67fe9d9eded87804c6380} of African banks while the rest plan to roll them out in the nearest future. Just 12{fa40c7335c8f963ca7e8a8c671e2c1c7a99bc9a3f8a67fe9d9eded87804c6380} of African banks regard themselves as ‘digital-first banks’ and another 48{fa40c7335c8f963ca7e8a8c671e2c1c7a99bc9a3f8a67fe9d9eded87804c6380} are transitioning towards becoming ‘digital-first banks’. Hence, the landscape of the African banking industry will look very different in the near future.

According to a report from Disrupt Africa, a tech-focused research and news organization based in the region – the African fintech market has been accelerating, with startup companies securing around $330.5 million in the first half of 2021, which is more than double the amount raised in 2020. As internet and mobile usage continues to grow, financial services in several major emerging African markets such as Nigeria, Kenya, and Egypt are bypassing traditional banking processes in favor of efficient tech-enabled solutions such as mobile money.

The last two years have seen a strong inflow of Foreign Direct Investment into the continent. In 2020, approximately $744 million was invested in Fintech in Africa, accounting for 31{fa40c7335c8f963ca7e8a8c671e2c1c7a99bc9a3f8a67fe9d9eded87804c6380} of the total inflows into the continent.

In 2021, the interest in African Fintech startups exploded, with Fintech start-ups focused on the continent raising $3.03 billion in disclosed funding rounds. This accounted for a massive 62{fa40c7335c8f963ca7e8a8c671e2c1c7a99bc9a3f8a67fe9d9eded87804c6380} of the total investment inflows, according to the latest Africa Investment Report, which was published by research and intelligence firm, Briter Bridges.

Africa is regarded as the world’s second-fastest growing and profitable payments and banking market after Latin America, according to McKinsey study, and this only means that the fintech sector is likely to continue to attract investors tapping into the increasing growth opportunities.

The continent is inching towards becoming a global leader in mobile money adoption, accounting for the bulk of the mobile money transactions made in 2020 – a year that saw the number of mobile money accounts rise by 43{fa40c7335c8f963ca7e8a8c671e2c1c7a99bc9a3f8a67fe9d9eded87804c6380}. Mobile money success across the continent is likely due to ease in access brought by advancements in telecommunications technology.

* From cash to cashless: The Journey of Cashless Payment Systems in Africa.

 * Cashless Financial Transactions and the role of Technology.

  * Financial Transaction Standards in a digitized Africa.

 * The challenges of Cross Border transaction.

 * Financial Fraud Detection in a cashless world.

 * Money laundering in a cashless payment system.

 * The Future of Cashless Economy in Africa.

The Conference will have the following session:

• Keynote addresses from respected industry leaders
• Dynamic live roundtables (Q&A)
• Group Discussions
• Lectures & Presentations
• Extensive networking opportunities
• Exhibitions
• FIN Award

This second edition of Africa Cashless Payment Systems Conference will be the one of the largest fintech conference and exhibition with about 1000 participants.

It will be a stop shop where financial institutions, investors and consumers can access the latest innovations that will underpin the next phase of financial innovation and transformation. It will provide the needed platform for fintech companies and vendors of financial solutions to interface with consumers and policy makers so as to enhance seamless and secured digital financial transaction across the continent with minimal disruptions.

The conference will bring together the brightest minds from across Africa to discuss Digital Financial Solutions, Cyber Security, e-Commerce, Digital Retail Banking, Payment Systems, Fintech and identity as well as the challenges in the digital market. It will ignite new ideas and inspires the audience to think differently.

Participants will be stimulated by innovators, business leaders and entrepreneurs from across Africa.

The goal is to provide an venue for a productive dialogue among digital financial solutions stakeholders where digital product vendors, consumers, the academia, and regulators will brainstorm on mutual concerns and challenges to efficient product deliverables. It will seek to foster collaboration and debate on key Fintech topics including efficient and fair regulation and financial inclusion.