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  2. BFSI Week

BFSI Week

Radisson Blu Hotel, Nairobi Upper Hill
June 17, 2026 - June 18, 2026
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM (East Africa Time)
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In 2025, CIO Africa unveiled the BFSI Week, a power-packed series of three bespoke events designed to shape the future of finance in Africa. In one week, we brought together the brightest minds, boldest innovators, and most influential decision-makers in Banking, SACCOs, and Insurance.

 

Brace yourselves for another innovation-packed week that promises to redefine the industry once more.

3 Premier Events

Powering Africa's Financial Transformation

Event Image 1

Smart Banking Summit

Explore how digital transformation, cybersecurity, and open banking are redefining how banks engage with customers and power economies. From core banking upgrades to AI-driven customer journeys, this is where the future of banking unfolds.

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SaccoTech Forum

Saccos are evolving. Tech is leading the charge. Discover how SACCOs are adopting digital tools to scale operations, improve governance, and unlock access to underserved markets. This is the epicenter of cooperative tech innovation.

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InsureTech Forum

InsurTech is revolutionizing risk. Dive into conversations on digital claims, embedded insurance, automation, fraud detection, and customer-centric coverage models that are making insurance smarter and faster.

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Impressions
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Decision Makers
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World Class Speakers
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Worth of Deals Closed

Topics & Themes

From innovation in BFSI technology to security challenges and strategies for greater financial inclusion, our discussions are crafted to provide key insights and actionable ideas shaping Africa's BFSI future

Emerging BFSI Models and Customer Engagement

Emerging BFSI Models and Customer Engagement

Technology and Innovation in BFSI

Technology and Innovation in BFSI

Security, Compliance and Data Management

Security, Compliance and Data Management

Digital Currency, Payments and Inclusion in BFSI

Digital Currency, Payments and Inclusion in BFSI

Target Audience

We're targeting the following professionals, industry leaders and innovators seeking valuable insights

01

CEOs of BFSI Institutions

02

CIOs in BFSI Institutions

03

BFSI Executives and Senior Managers

04

CFOs and CISOs

Speakers

BFSI Week is more than just a gathering; it is a catalyst for the future of banking, fintech, saccotech, and insuretech in Africa. Join us as a speaker to share your expertise, connect with industry pioneers across these sectors, and help lead the transformation of Africa's financial services landscape.

Chairman & Co-Founder, CIO Africa by dx5
Oscar Otieno
Director , Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC)
Nick Vilelle
Nick Vilelle
Founder, Nairobi Business Angel Network
Chief Executive Officer & Principal Officer, Jubilee Health Insurance
Information Communication Technology Manager, Mwalimu National DT SACCO Ltd
Country Manager - East Africa, Fortinet
George Munai
Distribution Manager – East Africa, Vertiv
Gen Z Fin-fluencer, Bryan Mwenda
Kenneth Odhiambo
Kenneth Odhiambo
CEO, Mwalimu National SACCO
 Ishaq  Kassam
Ishaq Kassam
Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), Finsense Africa
Evah Kimani
Evah Kimani
CEO Britam Microinsurance (Connect), Britam
CIO/CTO, AI Startups & Impact Orgs
Jimmie Mwangi
Chief Information and Digital Officer, Diamond Trust Bank
Carol Odero
Head of Content Africa, CIO Africa by dx5
Bhosale Sandeep
Bhosale Sandeep
Group Head of Enterprise Digital Transformation, Equity Bank Kenya
Joel Busienei
Head of ICT, DIB Bank
Russell Okoth
Russell Okoth
CISO | Principal Advisor , Cyberdiligent
Founder, AfricaHackon
Group Head – Enabler Systems Support, Equity Bank Kenya Ltd
Nirmal Singh Sembi
Nirmal Singh Sembi
Head of Technology, Ecobank Kenya Limited
Agenda
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Registration, Networking and Arrival Coffee
9:00 AM - 9:15 AM
Opening Remarks: Why BFSI Cannot Afford Another Hype Cycle
Harry
Harry Hare
Chairman & Co-Founder, CIO Africa by dx5
9:15 AM - 9:45 AM
Keynote
AI in BFSI: What’s Actually Working, What’s Just Marketing
Bhosale
Bhosale Sandeep
Group Head of Enterprise Digital Transformation, Equity Bank Kenya
Sarah
Sarah Muriuki
Group Head – Enabler Systems Support, Equity Bank Kenya Ltd
9:45 AM - 10:15 AM
Keynote
The Vendor Reality Check: Why Most Banking AI Projects Are Failing
Dennis
Dennis Muriithi
Senior Solutions Engineer, Sophos
10:15 AM - 11:00 AM
Panel Discussion
The CIO Panel: From Pilots to Production
Carol
Carol Odero
Head of Content Africa, CIO Africa by dx5
moderator
Henry
Henry Abea
Information Communication Technology Manager, Mwalimu National DT SACCO Ltd
panelist
Jimmie
Jimmie Mwangi
Chief Information and Digital Officer, Diamond Trust Bank
panelist
Nelson Juma
Nelson Juma Nasongo
Group CIO, I&M Bank Ltd
panelist
Eric
Eric Ngei
Head Group Cyber Security, KCB Bank Group
panelist
11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Networking Break
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Fireside Chat
The Trust Equation: Data, Privacy and the Customer Promise
Oscar
Oscar Otieno
Director , Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC)
Joan
Joan Kaberia
Tech Writer, CIO Africa by dx5
moderator
Nirmal
Nirmal Singh Sembi
Head of Technology, Ecobank Kenya Limited
panelist
Herbert
Herbert Njoroge
Manager-Legal Business Solutions, PwC Kenya
panelist
12:00 PM - 12:45 PM
Panel Discussion
BFSI Under Attack: Sharing Risk, Scaling Defence
George
George Njuguna
Vice President , Global Council for Responsible AI (GCRAI)
moderator
Dr. Bright
Dr. Bright Mawudor
Founder, AfricaHackon
panelist
Russell
Russell Okoth
CISO | Principal Advisor , Cyberdiligent
panelist
Duncan
Duncan Omani
Chief Information Security Officer, Access Bank Kenya Plc
panelist
Dennis
Dennis Muriithi
Senior Solutions Engineer, Sophos
panelist
12:45 PM - 1:00 PM
Headline Sponsor Presentation
Imran
Imran Chaudhrey
Country Manager - East Africa, Fortinet
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Networking Lunch
2:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Parallel Tracks
SMART BANKING

Banking on AI: What’s Real, What’s Just Noise?

Expert Presentation
A case-by-case examination of AI deployments in retail and corporate banking — chatbots, credit decisioning, anti-money laundering, customer analytics. Where the ROI is measurable, where it isn’t, and what differentiates the two.
Jimmie
Jimmie Mwangi
Chief Information and Digital Officer, Diamond Trust Bank
SACCOTECH

Cloud Core for SACCOs: The Honest Cost-Benefit

Expert Presentation
Cloud core banking has been pitched to SACCOs for half a decade. What is the actual five-year TCO compared with on-premise? What changes for governance, member data, and audit? A SACCO ICT manager who has done the migration tells the truth.
Tony
Tony Mutero
Chief Manager - ICT & Operations, Stima Sacco
INSURETECH

Claims Reinvented: AI from First Notice of Loss to Pay-out

Expert Presentation
The claims journey is the moment of truth in insurance — and the biggest opportunity for AI to either help or humiliate the insurer. A deep dive into how machine learning, fraud signals, and automated assessment are reshaping the experience.
3:00 PM - 3:45 PM
Parallel Tracks
SMART BANKING

From Legacy to Lightning: What Will the Bank of 2030 Look Like?

Panel Discussion
Senior banking technology leaders debate the structural shifts coming over the next five years — platform unbundling, API-first models, the move from product to platform thinking.
SACCOTECH

Stronger Together: SACCO–Fintech Partnerships That Actually Work

Panel Discussion
The partnership models that have moved beyond press releases into measurable member outcomes — and the ones that quietly collapsed. Honest stories from both sides of the table.
INSURETECH

Is Parametric the Future? Insurance Without the Paperwork

Panel Discussion
Pre-agreed payouts triggered by data, not adjusters. The use cases that work — climate, agriculture, travel — and the regulatory and consumer education work still needed to scale them.
3:45 PM - 4:15 PM
Networking Coffee Break
4:15 PM - 4:45 PM
Parallel Tracks
Smart Banking

Inside the API Banking Bet: Lessons from the Open Finance Frontier

Fireside Chat
A banking executive who made the API-first bet talks through the build, the partnerships, the unexpected wins and the politics of getting it through the board
Saccotech

The Member of 2030: How SACCOs Win the Next Generation

Fireside Chat
If 60% of your members are under 35 in five years, what changes — in product, in channel, in voice? A frank conversation between a SACCO CEO and a Gen-Z financial creator
Insuretech

Microinsurance at Scale: The Last Mile Math

Fireside Chat
What does the unit economics of microinsurance actually look like at one million policies? An insurer that has crossed that line shares the numbers and the operating discipline behind them
4:45 PM - 5:15 PM
Parallel Tracks
Smart Banking

Smart Banking Q&A

Q&a
Saccotech

Saccotech Q&A

Q&a
Insuretech

Insuretech Q&A

Q&a
5:15 PM - 6:30 PM
Closing Reception
sponsors

Like the sponsors listed below you too could position your brand at the forefront of Africa's evolving BFSI landscape. By sponsoring the BFSI Week, you will gain direct access to key decision-makers and thought leaders in the financial services sector, showcase your expertise to an engaged audience, and be part of shaping the future of BFSI across the continent. Sponsorship offers unmatched visibility, invaluable networking opportunities, and the chance to influence key stakeholders in a market ready for transformative growth.

180°

Sophos

90°

ManageEngine
Fortinet
Partners

Our partners represent leaders in various industries, including technology, academia, and business, who are committed to fostering innovation, education, and professional development.

African eDevelopment Resource Centre
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