Abidjan gears up to host 2023 NEXT Fintech Forum

With the global fintech movement gaining momentum, Africa finds itself at the vanguard of innovation, and the forthcoming 2023 NEXT Fintech Forum is positioned as a pivotal event to propel this transformative journey.

Abidjan, the capital city of Côte d’Ivoire and a burgeoning fintech hub, is set to host the third annual edition of this landmark event on Thursday, 16 and Friday, 17 November at the Radisson Blu.

The significance of fintech in Africa is monumental. As the continent rapidly embraces digitalisation and mobile connectivity, fintech solutions have emerged as a potent force for financial inclusion, economic expansion, and modernisation.

By offering ingenious financial services that transcend geographical constraints, experts belief that fintech has the potential to bridge the gap between traditional banking systems and the unbanked populace, propelling communities towards heightened financial resilience and prosperity.

Abidjan, renowned for its dynamic business environment and strategic location on the Gulf of Guinea, has firmly established itself as a key player in Africa’s fintech revolution. Boasting a thriving start-up ecosystem, tech-savvy visionaries, and a welcoming regulatory framework that nurtures innovation, Abidjan has become an attractive hub for fintech endeavours seeking to tap into Africa’s vast market potential.

The selection of Abidjan as the host city for the NEXT Fintech Forum aligns with its status as a vibrant centre for finance and technology. By converging fintech trailblazers, start-ups, industry experts, and thought leaders, the forum not only propels Abidjan onto the global fintech stage but also provides a stage to showcase the country’s contributions to the broader narrative of African fintech innovation.

Against this backdrop, organisers say the 2023 NEXT Fintech Forum promises to be an epochal event that commemorates progress achieved while charting the path for future fintech breakthroughs. Featuring a rich array of thought-provoking sessions, captivating panels, and collaborative networking opportunities, attendees can anticipate a forum that not only stimulates dialogue but also ignites innovation, setting the tone for fintech’s evolution across the continent.

The forum will kick off on Thursday, November 16, with an array of compelling sessions, including a CEO panel discussing the nexus between fintech and African trade. Attendees can also anticipate panels addressing the development of a payment ecosystem aligned with the aspirations of Africa’s commerce industry, as well as sessions exploring how fintech can contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through fair trade, solidarity trade, and circular economy initiatives.

Friday, November 17, will see discussions revolving around the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and their implications for African trade.

The forum will delve into financial innovations designed to enhance market access for smallholders and farmers, while also examining micro-credit, micro-savings, and micro-insurance solutions for the informal sector. The event will culminate with a forward-looking session on building a more efficient and innovative African trade industry by the year 2030, driven by fintech advancements.

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