Banking Leaders, Regulators and Global Technology Innovators Unite to Accelerate Ethiopia’s Digital Financial Transformation
12 August 2026 | Ethiopian Skylight Hotel, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA – 12 August 2026 – Ethiopia today welcomed one of Africa’s premier banking and financial technology gatherings as the 29th Connected Banking Summit & Innovation & Excellence Awards 2026 officially opened at the prestigious Ethiopian Skylight Hotel.
Organised by the International Center for Strategic Alliances (ICSA), the summit has brought together an influential gathering of banking leaders, central bank representatives, regulators, policymakers, fintech innovators, technology providers, cybersecurity experts, and digital transformation pioneers from across Ethiopia, East Africa, and the wider region.
Held under the theme “Building Digital Financial Systems and Accelerating Banking Modernization in Emerging Markets,” the summit serves as a strategic platform for industry collaboration, knowledge exchange, and innovation as Ethiopia continues to modernise its financial sector and expand access to secure, inclusive, and technology-driven banking services.
As part of the Silver Jubilee celebrations of the globally recognised Connected Banking Summit series, this landmark edition continues ICSA’s legacy of delivering executive platforms that foster meaningful dialogue, strategic partnerships, and innovation across the global banking and financial services ecosystem.
Ethiopia’s Banking Sector at a Defining Moment
Ethiopia’s financial services industry is entering one of the most transformative periods in its history. Regulatory reforms, rapid digital adoption, expanding fintech innovation, and increasing demand for secure, customer-centric banking solutions are reshaping the country’s financial landscape.
Against this backdrop, the 29th Connected Banking Summit provides a timely forum for decision-makers to discuss the technologies, strategies, and partnerships that will define the future of banking.
Throughout the summit, delegates are exploring key topics including:
- Digital Banking Transformation
- Core Banking Modernisation
- Real-Time Payments and Payment Interoperability
- Artificial Intelligence and Intelligent Automation
- Cybersecurity and Digital Trust
- Open Banking and Open Finance
- Digital Identity and e-KYC
- Cloud Transformation
- Financial Inclusion
- Regulatory Innovation and Compliance
- Customer Experience and Digital Engagement
- Data, Analytics and Emerging Technologies
These discussions align closely with Ethiopia’s National Digital Payments Strategy and the country’s long-term vision of building a resilient, inclusive, and digitally empowered financial ecosystem.
The programme features keynote presentations, executive panel discussions, fireside conversations, case studies, technology showcases, and high-level networking sessions designed to…
Read More: Ethiopia Takes Centre Stage as the 29th Connected Banking Summit &
