Africa's Weekly Fintech Review - #AFTSDC2024 Special Edition
Africa Fintech Summit
The global initiative dedicated to building an ecosystem of investors, pioneers, industry leaders in African Fintech.
Hello,
AFTSDC2024 @ the WB/IMF Spring Meeting took place on April 17, 2024, at Halcyon in Washington, DC, hosting 186 in-person delegates from 18 countries, representing 156 organizations, and many more virtual attendees from across the globe.
The summit brought key stakeholders of the Tech for Trade Alliance, which was launched last year at the 9th Africa Fintech Summit, along with investors and fintech founders. AFTSDC2024 also hosted 3 Keynote Speakers, 1 fireside chat, 3 panels and a new venture pitch competition with 5 early-stage startups!
The Road to Nairobi is heating up, and we are excited for the largest Africa Fintech Summit yet coming this September 4-6, 2024, to Nairobi's brand-new JW Marriott.
See you in NBO!
A few key highlights from AFTS...
1. AFTS Managing Director Zekarias Amsalu welcomed delegates to AFTSDC2024 and to Halcyon House in the historic Georgetown district of Washington, DC. In his remarks, Mr. Amsalu reiterated AFTS' 2024 theme of "Fintech in Every Industry."
2. Sarah Morgenthau, the Special Representative for the Office of Commercial and Business Affairs at the US Department of State, gave the opening keynote at AFTSDC2024.
3. The plenary session “One Year on – Prosper Africa’s Tech for Trade Alliance Impact in Africa - Fire Side chat by Prosper Africa” brought together Prosper Africa and 3 Tech For Trade Alliance members – Mastercard, Intel & Flutterwave – who briefed delegates on what activities alliance members are undertaking in Africa!
4. Paul Fekete, USAID's Senior International Trade Advisor for the Center for Economics and Market Development, discussed USAID's work in supporting American startups and corporations operating across Africa.
5. "US Innovation Capital Powering Inclusive African Fintech" panel by seasoned investors and Founders from IFC, Achebe Capital and Fonbnk provided the why and hows of investing in Africa's erupting Fintech ecosystem.
6. Rami Amin, Visa's Director of Innovation and Global Insights, spoke at AFTSDC2024, touching on how Visa is working collaboratively as part of Prosper Africa's Tech for Trade Alliance to enable startups and financial institutions across Africa to change how they do business.
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7. The Fireside chat titled “Africa and the Public Market – Why Optimism?” saw Chuba Ezenwa, Bank of America’s Managing Director, Investment Banking Sub-Saharan Africa, speak about the current state of affairs of the public market in Africa, as well as the outlook of Africa’s IPOs.
8. "Fintech’s Role on Climate Solutions" brought together thought leaders in the green bond and climate solutions in Africa and beyond: Nuru Mugambi, Inclusive Sustainable Finance Advisor to the Sustainable Banking and Finance Network (SBFN) and Dr. Nelly Ramírez Moncad, Senior Climate Ecosystem and Innovative Architect at BFA Global.
9. The flagship of AFTS - our New Venture Pitch Competition was the final part of AFTSDC2024, and five promising startups took to the stage to pitch their solutions to delegates and judges! Compliance startup Regfyl finished in first place, while Bunce, a customer engagement platform, and Sobridge, a vehicle financing solution, came in second and third, respectively.
10. Following the conclusion of the summit, delegates gathered for a networking happy hour. Discussions of US-Africa fintech and banking collaboration, fundraising pitches, and partnership negotiations filled the Halcyon courtyard.
11. AFTS is coming to Nairobi this September 4-6, 2024
After hosting AFTS in Washington, DC, Lagos, Addis Ababa, Cairo, Cape Town, & Lusaka, AFTS is excited to be heading to the Silicon Savannah for its 11th edition.