29th Connected Banking Summit & Innovation & Excellence Awards 2026

Ethiopia Takes Centre Stage as the 29th Connected Banking Summit & Innovation & Excellence Awards 2026 Opens in Addis Ababa

Banking Leaders, Regulators and Global Technology Innovators Unite to Accelerate Ethiopia’s Digital Financial Transformation

ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA – 12 August 2026 – The 29th Connected Banking Summit & Innovation & Excellence Awards 2026 officially opened today at the Ethiopian Skylight Hotel, bringing together senior banking executives, regulators, policymakers, fintech innovators, and global technology providers to shape the future of Ethiopia’s financial services sector.

Organised by the International Center for Strategic Alliances (ICSA) under the theme “Building Digital Financial Systems and Accelerating Banking Modernization in Emerging Markets,” the summit serves as a strategic platform for collaboration, innovation, and knowledge sharing as Ethiopia advances its digital banking transformation.

As part of the Silver Jubilee celebrations of the globally recognised Connected Banking Summit series, this edition reflects ICSA’s continued commitment to fostering executive dialogue and strategic partnerships that accelerate financial innovation across Africa and emerging markets.

Ethiopia’s banking sector is undergoing a period of rapid transformation driven by regulatory reforms, digital adoption, fintech innovation, and growing demand for secure, customer-centric financial services. Against this backdrop, the summit provides an ideal forum for industry leaders to discuss the technologies, policies, and partnerships that will shape the future of banking.

The conference programme features keynote presentations, executive panel discussions, fireside chats, technology showcases, and networking sessions covering critical topics such as digital banking transformation, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud adoption, digital identity, real-time payments, financial inclusion, open banking, customer experience, regulatory innovation, and data-driven banking strategies.

The summit welcomes an impressive lineup of distinguished speakers from Ethiopia’s leading financial institutions and regulatory bodies, including executives from the National Bank of Ethiopia, Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, Awash Bank, Hibret Bank, Nib International Bank, Sidama Bank, Addis Bank, Bank of Abyssinia, Cooperative Bank of Oromia, Global Bank Ethiopia, Berhan Bank, Abay Bank, Rammis Bank, National ID Ethiopia, Ethiopian Securities Exchange (ESX), and several other prominent organisations.

Supporting this year’s summit are globally recognised technology companies committed to advancing banking innovation. Thunes, the event’s Gold Sponsor, is a leading cross-border payments infrastructure provider connecting banks, payment providers, and digital wallets worldwide through secure, real-time payment solutions. ManageEngine, Associate Sponsor and the enterprise IT management division of Zoho Corporation, delivers industry-leading solutions for identity and access management, cybersecurity, endpoint management, and IT operations that help financial institutions strengthen digital resilience.

A key highlight of the event is the Connected Banking Innovation & Excellence Awards 2026, which recognise outstanding organisations and industry leaders driving transformation across the banking and financial services sector. The awards celebrate achievements in digital banking, leadership, customer experience, payments innovation, cybersecurity, financial inclusion, artificial intelligence, fintech collaboration, digital transformation, and sustainable banking initiatives.

Over the years, the Connected Banking Summit has become one of the industry’s most respected executive leadership platforms, connecting thousands of banking leaders, regulators, policymakers, and technology innovators across Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia. By encouraging collaboration between financial institutions, governments, and technology providers, the summit continues to support the development of resilient, inclusive, and future-ready financial ecosystems.

As discussions continue throughout the day, delegates will exchange strategic insights, explore emerging technologies, and build partnerships that will help accelerate Ethiopia’s banking modernisation journey. The event will conclude with the prestigious Innovation & Excellence Awards ceremony, celebrating the organisations and individuals whose vision and innovation continue to redefine banking excellence across Africa.

About the International Center for Strategic Alliances (ICSA)

The International Center for Strategic Alliances (ICSA) is a globally recognised organisation specialising in executive leadership conferences, strategic business summits, and industry forums across banking, financial services, telecommunications, healthcare, cybersecurity, energy, and emerging technologies. Through its flagship Connected Banking Summit series, ICSA connects policymakers, regulators, business leaders, innovators, and technology providers to foster collaboration, drive digital transformation, and create meaningful business opportunities worldwide.

Media Contact

International Center for Strategic Alliances (ICSA)
Email: info@connected-banking.com
Phone: +44 20 3808 8625
Website: www.connected-banking.com