A dynamic panel of influential speakers will address some of the most pressing challenges in the fast-evolving FinTech landscape, at the second Middle East & Africa FinTech Forum, to be held in Bahrain, this month.

Bank ABC and Arab Financial Services (AFS) are the main sponsors of the conference, being held under the theme Beyond Disruption, which will host 300 senior executives from the region’s financial services industry on March 8, in Manama.

Sael Al Waary, chairman of AFS and deputy group CEO of Bank ABC, said: “The conference tackles the most pressing themes in FinTech that are changing the banking and finance industry through advanced data analysis, the use of artificial intelligence and crypto-currency.”

“It is why we have given it the theme: Beyond Disruption. We are confident this forum will act as a catalyst for greater innovation in the Middle East’s financial industry going forward,” he added.

Chandrasekhar: planning to make the conference an annual event

Held under the patronage of the Central Bank of Bahrain, the event is to be opened by the Governor, Rasheed Al Maraj, with keynote speaker announced as Anthony Thomson, founder and former chairman of the UK’s first fully-digital bank, ATOM.

Joining him on stage will be Michael Jordaan, founder of South Africa’s first digital-only bank, Bank Zero, and former CEO of First National Bank, one of SA’s largest banks. The conference explores how the current steep curve of innovation and technology is changing the way banking and finance operates on a worldwide scale. 

Addressing the biggest challenges in the near future, Eileen Burbidge, the UK Treasury’s Special Envoy for FinTech and tech ambassador for the Mayor of London’s office, will be joined by Alastair Lukies, UK Ambassador for the FinTech and chairman of Innovate Finance.

Jim Marous, American financial author and industry strategist, as well as former advisor to the White House, will host an interactive Q&A on Crypto Currencies – Hype Versus Reality.

Focusing on the significance of financial inclusion to under privileged and remote areas of the world, there will be an engaging panel discussion led by Jordaan on how FinTech presents a transformative opportunity for the unbanked two billion people around the world.

B Chandrasekhar, CEO of AFS, said: “We are dedicated to help our clients optimise the true potential of FinTech, and therefore see this conference being an annual event where industry leaders collaborate and share best practice for the benefit of the whole sector.”