Fintech
Clockwise from top left: Arif Amiri, CEO of DIFC Authority; Abdulla Qassem, Group Chief Operating Officer, Emirates NBD; Marwan Hadi, Group Head of Retail Banking and Wealth Management, Emirates NBD; and Mohammad Alblooshi, CEO of DIFC Innovation Hub Image Credit: Supplied

Dubai: The Dubai FinTech Summit, organized by the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) under the patronage of Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance of the UAE, and President of DIFC, hosted the DFS Dialogues roundtable on Tuesday. This event brought together key stakeholders from both the public and private sectors to collaboratively shape the agenda for the 2nd edition of the Dubai FinTech Summit, scheduled at the Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, on May 6-7, 2024.

During the invitation-only DFS Dialogues session, more than 30 industry leaders engaged in in-depth discussions to outline key themes for the upcoming summit. This served as a platform for experts to rank the relevance of various topics, with Regulatory Framework, Eco-Finance, and Fintech 2.0 gaining significant traction.

Mohammad Alblooshi, CEO of DIFC Innovation Hub, stated, “Dubai is at the heart of everything FinTech, and its global penetration continues to disrupt the way traditional financial services operate. Aligned with the D33 Agenda to position Dubai as the top four global financial hub by 2033 and DIFC’s 2030 strategy to shape the future of finance and innovation, the 2nd edition of the Dubai FinTech Summit is designed to encourage cross-border collaboration and innovation. It presents a unique opportunity to explore emerging FinTech trends and their potential to drive financial progress in the MEASA region.”

During the DFS Dialogues session, ENBD signed an agreement to join the summit as the official premium banking partner, highlighting its commitment to driving innovation within the financial sector. The e& group also signed an agreement to join as the official event headline partner, showcasing their continuous effort to support innovative and future-thinking businesses on a global scale.

Khalifa Al Shamsi, CEO of e& life, said, “The Dubai FinTech Summit represents an innovative platform where industry leaders from around the world come together to redefine the future of the financial landscape. It is a testament to Dubai’s visionary leadership in establishing a world-class FinTech hub where technological advancement and financial empowerment go hand in hand. At e&, we believe in the power of technology to drive economic growth and enhance financial inclusion. With our cutting-edge digital solutions and connectivity, we continuously strive to facilitate progress through innovation and collaboration. We are proud to sponsor DFS 2024 as part of our ongoing commitment to support the FinTech ecosystem in the UAE and beyond.”

Abdulla Qassem, Group Chief Operating Officer at Emirates NBD, said, "Emirates NBD is proud to be at the forefront of these exclusive strategic conversations that bring together industry pioneers. These dialogues are fundamental in shaping the UAE fintech industry's future and setting the agenda for the Dubai FinTech Summit 2024. The upcoming event serves as a key platform for fostering global FinTech advancements. Emirates NBD's participation reflects our continuous commitment to embracing innovation in banking. It's a crucial opportunity to engage with the latest trends and insights that will shape the future of finance."

The day concluded with FinTech start-ups from across the UAE participating in the Fintech World Cup Dubai regional qualifying round, with Yabx Technologies emerging victorious and entering the coveted Grand Finale set to take place during the Dubai FinTech Summit 2024. The winner will have the chance to secure $1 million in investment and gain access to mentorship by esteemed judges, global brand exposure, industry recognition, and a path to success through strategic synergies and partnerships.

The FinTech World Cup is holding multiple regional qualifying rounds across 10 strategic FinTech hubs worldwide, where local FinTechs can apply to become part of the finale. Some of the regional competitions, already conducted in collaboration with partners, have identified winners who represent the pinnacle of FinTech innovation in their respective regions. These winners include Monak E-services from Saudi Arabia, Audax from Singapore, and Xaults Technologies from India.

Dubai FinTech Summit 2024 will witness an unprecedented gathering of over 8,000 decision-makers, 300+ thought leaders across 5 stages, and 200+ exhibitors showcasing cutting-edge technologies.

Visitors can purchase tickets for the Dubai FinTech Summit 2024, with early bird prices ending soon.