27 July 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
12 August 2026 | Ethiopian Skylight Hotel, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA – 12 August 2026 – Ethiopia today welcomed one of Africa's premier banking and financial technology gatherings as the 29th Connected Banking Summit & Innovation & Excellence Awards 2026 officially opened at the prestigious Ethiopian Skylight Hotel.
Organised by the International Center for Strategic Alliances (ICSA), the summit has brought together an influential gathering of banking leaders, central bank representatives, regulators, policymakers, fintech innovators, technology providers, cybersecurity experts, and digital transformation pioneers from across Ethiopia, East Africa, and the wider region.
Held under the theme "Building Digital Financial Systems and Accelerating Banking Modernization in Emerging Markets," the summit serves as a strategic platform for industry collaboration, knowledge exchange, and innovation as Ethiopia continues to modernise its financial sector and expand access to secure, inclusive, and technology-driven banking services.
As part of the Silver Jubilee celebrations of the globally recognised Connected Banking Summit series, this landmark edition continues ICSA's legacy of delivering executive platforms that foster meaningful dialogue, strategic partnerships, and innovation across the global banking and financial services ecosystem.
Ethiopia's Banking Sector at a Defining Moment
Ethiopia's financial services industry is entering one of the most transformative periods in its history. Regulatory reforms, rapid digital adoption, expanding fintech innovation, and increasing demand for secure, customer-centric banking solutions are reshaping the country's financial landscape.
Against this backdrop, the 29th Connected Banking Summit provides a timely forum for decision-makers to discuss the technologies, strategies, and partnerships that will define the future of banking.
Throughout the summit, delegates are exploring key topics including:
- Digital Banking Transformation
- Core Banking Modernisation
- Real-Time Payments and Payment Interoperability
- Artificial Intelligence and Intelligent Automation
- Cybersecurity and Digital Trust
- Open Banking and Open Finance
- Digital Identity and e-KYC
- Cloud Transformation
- Financial Inclusion
- Regulatory Innovation and Compliance
- Customer Experience and Digital Engagement
- Data, Analytics and Emerging Technologies
These discussions align closely with Ethiopia's National Digital Payments Strategy and the country's long-term vision of building a resilient, inclusive, and digitally empowered financial ecosystem.
The programme features keynote presentations, executive panel discussions, fireside conversations, case studies, technology showcases, and high-level networking sessions designed to encourage collaboration between banks, regulators, fintech companies, and technology providers.
Distinguished Industry Leaders Driving the Conversation
The summit welcomes an exceptional lineup of speakers representing Ethiopia's leading financial institutions, regulatory authorities, and technology organisations, including:
- Temesgen Busha – Chief Transformation Officer, Awash Bank
- Dr. Andualem Hailu – Deputy CEO, Strategy & Technology, Hibret Bank
- Muluken Demessie – Chief Retail & SME Banking Officer, Nib International Bank
- Tadesse Hatiya – President, Sidama Bank
- Assefa Amere – Chief Officer, Information Technology Office, Addis Bank S.C.
- Saminas S. – Chief Marketing & Communications Officer and Director of Stakeholder Engagement, National ID Ethiopia
- Seyoum Damtew Metaferia – Vice President, Information System Security, Commercial Bank of Ethiopia
- Mengistu Endalamaw – Director, Digital Banking, Commercial Bank of Ethiopia
- Gutama Ashana – Director, Information Security Management, Awash Bank
- Tewodros Abay – Director, Acceptance Network, Bank of Abyssinia
- Yonas L. – Director, IT Risk & Cyber Security, Hibret Bank
- Mengistu Gemechu – Director of Strategy, Cooperative Bank of Oromia
- Temesgen Taye – Director of Cyber Security, Cooperative Bank of Oromia
- Mekdes Bekele – Director, Digital Banking Department, Global Bank Ethiopia
- Biruk W. – Director, Information Technology Security, Abay Bank S.C.
- Nejib (Ahmed) Aliyi – Director, Innovation and Strategy, Rammis Bank.
- Khalid Ahmed – Director, Application & Database Administration, Rammis Bank
- Ermoniem Brhanu Balcha – Digital Innovation & Partnership Division Head, Berhan Bank
- Solomon Damtew – Director, Banking, Payments & Settlements, National Bank of Ethiopia
- Fikru Tsegaye Wordofa – Member of the Board of Directors, Ethiopian Securities Exchange (ESX)
These distinguished leaders are joined by senior executives, policymakers, regulators, and technology experts who are collectively shaping the future of Ethiopia's financial services industry.
Global Technology Partners Supporting Banking Innovation
The 29th Edition of the Connected Banking Summit is proudly supported by leading global technology organisations committed to accelerating financial innovation.
Thunes
As the summit's Gold Sponsor, Thunes is a global cross-border payments infrastructure company connecting banks, mobile wallets, payment providers, and financial institutions across emerging and developed markets. Through its extensive global network, Thunes enables secure, real-time payments to billions of bank accounts and mobile wallets worldwide, helping financial institutions simplify international payments and expand financial access.
ManageEngine
Supporting the summit as the Associate Sponsor, ManageEngine, the enterprise IT management division of Zoho Corporation, delivers a comprehensive portfolio of IT management, identity and access management, cybersecurity, endpoint management, and network operations solutions trusted by enterprises and financial institutions around the world.
Their participation reflects the growing confidence of global technology providers in Ethiopia's rapidly evolving banking ecosystem and highlights the importance of strategic collaboration in driving digital transformation.
Celebrating Excellence Through the Innovation & Excellence Awards 2026
One of the most anticipated highlights of the summit is the Connected Banking Innovation & Excellence Awards 2026, recognising organisations and visionary leaders that have demonstrated exceptional achievement in transforming the banking and financial services industry.
The awards celebrate excellence across multiple categories, recognising institutions that have successfully leveraged technology, innovation, and customer-centric strategies to redefine banking.
The awards honour excellence in areas including:
- Digital Banking Innovation
- Banking Leadership
- Digital Transformation
- Customer Experience Excellence
- Payments Innovation
- Financial Inclusion
- Artificial Intelligence in Banking
- Cybersecurity Excellence
- Fintech Collaboration
- Open Banking Innovation
- Risk Management
- Sustainable Banking Initiatives
The Innovation & Excellence Awards have become one of the most respected recognitions within the Connected Banking Summit series, celebrating institutions and leaders whose vision and commitment continue to set new benchmarks for banking excellence across Africa.
A Catalyst for Africa's Banking Transformation
Over the years, the Connected Banking Summit has established itself as one of the banking industry's most respected executive leadership platforms.
The series has successfully connected thousands of banking leaders, regulators, policymakers, fintech innovators, and technology providers across Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia, creating opportunities for collaboration that have accelerated digital transformation throughout the financial services sector.
By facilitating strategic dialogue between public and private sector stakeholders, the summit continues to contribute meaningfully to the development of resilient, secure, inclusive, and future-ready financial ecosystems.
As discussions continue throughout the day, delegates will exchange strategic insights, explore emerging technologies, and forge partnerships that will help shape the future of banking in Ethiopia and across the African continent.
The summit will conclude with the prestigious Innovation & Excellence Awards 2026, celebrating the organisations and leaders whose vision, innovation, and commitment are transforming financial services 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 that connect decision-makers across banking, financial services, telecommunications, healthcare, energy, public sector, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies.
Through its flagship Connected Banking Summit series and other internationally recognised events, ICSA provides high-level platforms where policymakers, regulators, business leaders, innovators, and technology providers collaborate to exchange knowledge, build strategic partnerships, and accelerate digital transformation across industries.
Driven by its vision to Connect, Integrate and Transform, ICSA continues to create meaningful business ecosystems that inspire innovation and deliver measurable impact worldwide.
Media Contact
International Center for Strategic Alliances (ICSA)
📞 +44 20 3808 8625
📍 Ethiopian Skylight Hotel, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
