Africa enters 2026 as one of the most dynamic financial innovation regions in the world. With mobile first consumers, rapid digital adoption and bold regulatory experimentation, the continent has become a proving ground for real time payments, AI driven banking, blockchain based settlement and inclusive finance at scale. For bank executives, fintech founders, regulators and technology vendors, industry events are no longer optional. They are where strategy is shaped, partnerships are formed and the future of African finance is defined.
Below is a curated view of the most relevant banking and fintech events in Africa in 2026, alongside why they matter and who should attend.
Why 2026 Matters for African Banking and Fintech
Africa’s digital economy is on track to reach $2.9 trillion by 2030, underpinned by explosive growth in payments, cloud infrastructure and data driven services. AI adoption across the continent is accelerating rapidly, while investment in hyperscale data centres, cloud platforms and 5G networks is transforming how banks modernise their core infrastructure.
At the same time, financial institutions face rising expectations around compliance, cybersecurity, digital identity and consumer protection. Events in 2026 will reflect this convergence of innovation and regulation, focusing on execution rather than experimentation.
Key Themes Shaping 2026 Editions
Across major conferences in 2026, several themes will dominate the agenda.
Real time payments and interoperable infrastructure will be front and centre, driven by instant settlement initiatives and cross border payment frameworks.
AI, agentic automation and hyperpersonalisation will move from pilots to production, reshaping credit scoring, fraud detection, customer engagement and operational resilience.
Modern banking infrastructure will take focus, with cloud native cores, API ecosystems, banking as a service and embedded finance redefining how banks scale.
Stablecoins, central bank digital currencies, tokenisation and blockchain solutions will be explored as practical tools for remittances, liquidity management and intra Africa trade.
Compliance, RegTech, quantum safe security and AI driven cyber threats will be addressed as strategic imperatives rather than technical afterthoughts.
Financial inclusion, digital identity and mobile first services will remain foundational, especially in markets with large unbanked and underbanked populations.
Flagship Events to Attend in 2026
Africa Fintech Summit
Held annually across major hubs, this summit brings together fintech leaders, banks, regulators and investors. The 2026 edition is expected to focus heavily on embedded finance, cross border payments, digital lending and regulatory collaboration across Africa.
Seamless Africa
Seamless Africa is a leading platform for payments, banking, e commerce and fintech innovation. Executives attend to explore real time payments, open banking, merchant acquiring, AI driven fraud prevention and digital wallets at scale.
GITEX Africa
GITEX Africa has rapidly become a major convergence point for global technology vendors, startups and public sector leaders. For banks and fintechs, it offers exposure to AI, cloud, cybersecurity, blockchain and digital identity innovations shaping financial services.
Africa’s Leading Fintech Hubs
Most 2026 events will rotate across the continent’s strongest fintech ecosystems.
Nigeria remains the largest fintech market, leading in digital payments, lending, B2B infrastructure and embedded finance.
South Africa continues to anchor enterprise banking technology, capital markets innovation and regulatory engagement.
Kenya is globally recognised for mobile money leadership and financial inclusion innovation.
Egypt is emerging as a major hub for digital banking, payments and regional fintech expansion.
Who Should Attend and Why
Bank executives attend to benchmark digital maturity, explore modern core and cloud strategies and engage regulators on evolving compliance frameworks.
Fintech founders gain direct access to partners, investors and enterprise customers across the value chain.
Technology vendors showcase AI, automation, blockchain, cloud and cybersecurity solutions to decision makers actively investing in transformation.
Regulators use these platforms to align policy with innovation, discuss digital identity, AML, KYC and cross border settlement frameworks.
Final Thoughts
Whether you are looking to evaluate new fintech products, modernise banking infrastructure, explore real time payments or build partnerships across Africa, the 2026 calendar of banking and fintech events offers a one stop platform to adapt, grow and thrive. In a market defined by speed, scale and inclusion, being present is no longer optional. It is strategic. Fintech vendors in Africa
Below is a list of fintech events in Africa you can consider attending in 2026
| Event Name | Location | Dates | Link |
| Smart Invest Summit | Tunis, Tunisia | Jan 28–29 | Link |
| Africa Payments & RegTech Forum | Johannesburg, SA | Jun -25 | Link |
| Connected Banking WA | Accra, Ghana | Feb-25 | Link |
| Digital Retail Africa | Cape Town, SA | Feb-26 | Link |
| Africa Tech Summit Nairobi | Nairobi, Kenya | Feb 11–12 | Link |
| Africa Business Forum | Addis Ababa, ETH | Feb 16–17 | Link |
| Lagos Tech Fest | Lagos, Nigeria | Feb 17–18 | Link |
| CITO East Africa Summit 1 | Nairobi, Kenya | Mar-12 | Link |
| Africa Fintech Forum (SA) | Johannesburg, SA | Mar-24 | Link |
| Inclusive FinTech Forum | Kigali, Rwanda | Mar 10–12 | Link |
| IC3IT’ 26 | Hammamet, TUN | Mar 26–28 | Link |
| Africa Fintech Summit DC | Washington DC | Apr-15 | Link |
| CITO EA Rwanda Summit | Kigali, Rwanda | Apr-16 | Link |
| ICT Africa Summit | Algiers, Algeria | Apr 21–23 | Link |
| Fintech Meets Capital | Cairo, Egypt | Apr 26–28 | Link |
| Seamless North Africa | New Cairo, Egypt | Apr 6–7 | Link |
| GITEX Africa Morocco | Marrakech, MOR | Apr 7–9 | Link |
| CITO EA Uganda Summit 1 | Kampala, Uganda | May-14 | Link |
| Fintech Revolution Summit | Lagos, Nigeria | May-20 | Link |
| Fintech Revolution Nigeria | Lagos, Nigeria | May-20 | Link |
| Africa CEO Forum | Kigali, Rwanda | May 14–15 | Link |
| Ai Everything x GITEX Kenya | Nairobi, Kenya | May 19–21 | Link |
| Africa Fintech Forum (Kenya) | Nairobi, Kenya | Jun-10 | Link |
| CITO EA Tanzania Summit 1 | Dar es Salaam, TZ | Jun-11 | Link |
| MWC Kigali | Kigali, Rwanda | Jun 16–18 | Link |
| BFSI Week 2026 | Nairobi, Kenya | Jun 17–18 | Link |
| Fintech Summit Africa 2026 | Johannesburg, SA | Jun 24–25 | Link |
| Africa Technology Expo (ATE) | Côte d’Ivoire | Jun 26–27 | Link |
| iTrading Expo Morocco | Casablanca, MOR | Jun 4–5 | Link |
| Nigeria Stablecoin Summit | Lagos, Nigeria | Jul-30 | Link |
| Africa Digital Finance Summit | Cape Town, SA | Jul-12 | Link |
| CITO East Africa Summit 2 | Nairobi, Kenya | Jul-17 | Link |
| Connected Banking Summit – SA | Johannesburg, SA | Jul-26 | Link |
| CITO EA Uganda Summit 2 | Kampala, Uganda | Aug-14 | Link |
| GITEX Nigeria | Lagos/Abuja, NG | Sep 7–10 | Link |
| Seamless Africa | Johannesburg, SA | Sep 8–9 | Link |
| CITO EA Tanzania Summit 2 | Dar es Salaam, TZ | Sept-11 | Link |
| CITO EA Pitch Parade | Nairobi, Kenya | Oct-15 | Link |
| Digital Finance Africa | Johannesburg, SA | Oct-28 | Link |
| Africa Tech Festival | Cape Town, SA | Nov 17–19 | Link |
| Africa Fintech Summit | Kigali, Rwanda | Nov 18–19 | Link |
| Africa Fintech Summit Kigali | Kigali, Rwanda | Nov 18–19 | Link |
| CITO EA Year End Summit | Nairobi, Kenya | Dec-04 | Link |
