FITC, the world-class, innovation led and technology-driven institution, which provides learning, insights, advocacy, and advisory services to the financial services sector and other sectors in Nigeria and across Africa, is gearing up to hold the 2023 edition of its TechNnovation Conference themed “Building a Robust Fintech Industry in Africa: Resilience. Growth. Adaptability.” and slated to hold Wednesday and Thursday, June 14th and 15th 2023, for its 3rd consecutive year as part of FITC’s dedication to promote collaboration and discussions that encourage the development of solutions for challenges within the financial services sector.
The TechNnovation Conference serves as a pivotal platform that stimulates discussions, which proffer solutions to challenges within the financial services sector. This annual gathering brings together Fintech leaders, innovators, disruptors, regulators and enthusiasts.
The two-day virtual event will feature engaging conversations led by the most brilliant minds in the fintech industry, both from within Africa and beyond.
Over the past decade, Africa’s fintech industry has experienced a significant growth spurt, driven by the widespread adoption of mobile technology and the growing demand for financial services across the continent.
Fintech companies have introduced innovative solutions that have revolutionized the traditional banking sector, providing new opportunities for financial inclusion and economic growth.
However, the sector still faces significant challenges, including regulatory and infrastructure barriers, limited funding options, a n d a rapidly evolving competitive landscape.
To overcome the challenges and maximize the potential of fintech in Africa, it is crucial to build a robust industry that can withstand the uncertainties and complexities of the market and adapt to changing conditions. Resilience helps fintech firms overcome challenges and disruptions, while growth expands services and creates new opportunities. Adaptability enables companies to respond to evolving customer needs, adopt new technologies and business models.
In the words of FITC’s Managing Director/CEO, Chizor Malize, the conference provides a unique opportunity for leaders to gauge the current state of the African fintech sector, comprehend its obstacles, and identify potential avenues for growth and progress.
Emphasizing the conference’s significance, Malize highlighted the remarkable exponential growth of the fintech industry in Africa over the past few years, which has attracted substantial Foreign Direct Investment. She stressed the importance of stakeholders collaborating to establish frameworks that ensure sustainable industry growth.
These frameworks, she explained, are essential for bolstering investor and consumer confidence, thereby fostering the continuous flourishing of the sector. Malize further expressed her firm belief in the power of synergy among various innovative initiatives in the financial services sector, including thought leadership programs and conferences that engage all participants, including regulators.
“Each year, FITC brings together exceptional resources from the financial services sector, fintech companies, consulting firms, regulatory bodies, and technology experts. This diverse pool of knowledgeable individuals and organizations from around the world gather to share insights on contemporary issues surrounding technological innovations and the financial services sector, making the FITC Fintech Conference a highly innovative, and widely sought after platform” Malize eloquently conveyed.
Elaborating further, Malize highlighted that the central theme of this year’s conference is adaptability. “The tremendous growth observed in the Nigerian fintech sector is indeed a positive development. However, it is crucial that we ensure the ability to adapt and thrive in the face of evolving circumstances by reinforcing the existing regulatory frameworks within the industry.” She noted.
The FITC TechNnovation Conference 3.0 conference features a stellar advisory board, and an impressive lineup of speakers, including fintech founders, researchers, academics, and industry regulators among others. They will be sharing their expertise and unique insights into the challenges and opportunities presented by the growth of fintech in Africa.
The Advisory board behind this innovative conference include: Aishah Ahmad, OFR Deputy Governor, FSS CBN & Board Chairman, FITC; Chizor Malize MD/CEO, FITC; Dr. Markie Idowu, Managing Director/CEO, Express Payments Solutions Ltd; Niyi Ajao, Founder & CEO Digital Finance Solutions Ltd; Dr. Olufemi Oyenuga Chief Digital Officer, Nigerian Exchange Group; Chinenye Mba-Uzoukwu, Managing Director/CEO Infograonics & President institute of Software Practitioners.
This year’s global lineup of speakers include: Ashley Immanuel, Co-founder/COO, Semicolon; Chizor Malize, MD/CEO at FITC; Dr. Yele Okeremi, CEO Precise Financial Systems; Dr. Konstantinos Tsanis, Global Digital Transformation and FinTech Industry Specialist, International Finance Corporation (IFC); Stanley Jacob, Chief Executive Stanbic IBTC Financial Services Limited; Franklin Ali, Chief Human Resources Officer; Interswitch Group; Yemi Keri, CEO Heckerbella; Adedeji Olowe, Founder/CEO Lendsqr & Trustee Open Banking; Michael Olafusi, Founder, MHS Analytics Inc; Akinsope Roberts, Financial Services Lead, Industry Solutions, Delivery Africa Microsoft; Samira Nwaturuocha, Chief Operating Officer & Chief Risk Officer, Sparkle; Dr. Aituaz Kola-Oladejo, Executive Director, Financial Services Innovators; Enobong Shittu, Senior Associate, Olajide Oyewole LLP among a host of others.
Click https://technnovation-conference-2023.fitc-ng.com/ for registration, sponsorships, and participation details.
Just like the previous conferences, the FITC TechNnovation Fintech Conference 3.0 will feature five plenary sessions and two breakout sessions to give a broad and balanced perspective across the diverse issues related to the Financial Services Sector within and outside Nigeria.
They include; From Start-up to Scale Up and Profitability, Advancing Your Business for Success: Unlocking Capital for Growth, Effective Strategies for Fintech Risk Management and Cybersecurity, Overcoming Scarcity: Attracting and Retaining Talent, and Navigating Corporate Governance, Compliance, and Regulation. It will also feature two insightful breakout sessions: The power of automation – leveraging AI and ML to progress data analytics capability and value, and Open Banking: Current Trends & Next Steps.
This year’s TechNnovation Conference will provide a forum for business executives and leaders, to navigate the issues of the fintech industry, acquire up-to-date information on the latest trends, innovations, and best practices in the fintech industry, learn how to manage challenges emerging in the areas of talent, risk management, profitability etc., gain insights into the regulatory and compliance modalities in the industry, understand the evolving needs and expectations of customers in the digital era and learn how to deliver innovative, customer-centric solutions, develop a deeper understanding of the global fintech landscape and gain new perspectives on the opportunities and challenges facing the industry in different regions of the world.
ABOUT FITC
FITC is a world-class innovation-led knowledge and professional services firm providing cutting edge Learning, Advisory and Research Services to clients in the Financial Services and other sectors, within and outside Nigeria.
Established in 1981 as a non-profit organization limited by guarantee to provide capacity building and serve as a knowledge hub for the Nigerian Financial Services Sector. FITC is owned by the Bankers Committee, i.e., CBN, NDIC, and all deposit money banks in Nigeria.
For four decades, FITC has been at the forefront of innovative knowledge offerings designed for an array of C-suite executives, directors of banks and other financial institutions. Leveraging on international Faculty and partnership, FITC has led the knowledge space in delivering high valued capacity building solutions for Board Directors and C-suites.
FITC is a recipient of the International Federation of Training & Development Organizations (IFTDO) ‘Change Agent in Learning and Development in Africa’ Award, 2020 Business Excellence Award (The BIZZ Award), 2020 Strategy Innovation & Change Award, The International Business Excellence (IBX) Award, and the 2021 Winner of Global Business Excellence Award among others.
