Strategic collaboration between global technology organisations, financial-market institutions and emerging fintech innovators highlights Ethiopia’s evolving digital financial ecosystem
The International Center for Strategic Alliances (ICSA) successfully convened the 29th Connected Banking Summit – Ethiopia 2026 on 12th August at Ethiopian Skylight Hotel, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The event brought together technology organisations, financial-market institutions and emerging fintech innovators to support the continued transformation of Ethiopia’s digital financial ecosystem.
The summit served as a platform for industry leaders and innovators to exchange insights, strengthen collaboration and explore the technologies, infrastructure and financial services shaping the future of banking in Ethiopia.
With participation from organisations spanning cross-border payments, enterprise technology, digital IT management, cybersecurity, capital markets, digital wallets and fintech infrastructure, the summit highlighted the growing convergence between financial services and technology.
Technology and Innovation at the Heart of Banking Transformation
The summit’s sponsor and partner ecosystem reflected the breadth of innovation supporting the modernization of Ethiopia’s financial sector.
Gold Sponsors THUNES, ManageEngine and MBCOM Technologies contributed expertise across connected payments, enterprise IT, cybersecurity, infrastructure and digital transformation.
THUNES represents the growing importance of connected payment ecosystems, supporting banks, mobile wallets, payment providers and financial institutions through global cross-border payments infrastructure.
ManageEngine brings enterprise IT management capabilities spanning IT operations, identity and access management, cybersecurity, endpoint management and network operations.
MBCOM Technologies contributed to the wider enterprise technology and digital transformation ecosystem represented at the summit.
Together, these organisations reinforced the importance of technology and infrastructure in building a more connected, secure and resilient financial-services ecosystem.
Strengthening Ethiopia’s Financial Ecosystem
The summit also brought together supporting partners representing important areas of Ethiopia’s broader financial and innovation landscape.
The Ethiopian Securities Exchange (ESX) represented the country’s evolving capital-market ecosystem and the movement toward modern, technology-enabled financial markets.
Faydaverse contributed to the wider summit ecosystem and the broader dialogue around innovation and digital financial services.
The participation of organisations from both financial markets and technology demonstrated the increasingly interconnected nature of Ethiopia’s financial transformation.
Emerging Fintech Innovators Take Centre Stage
A key feature of the summit was the Banking Innovator Showcase, which provided emerging fintech organisations with an opportunity to demonstrate their solutions, engage with industry stakeholders and highlight technologies contributing to the next generation of financial services.
The showcase featured:
- YAYA Wallet – Digital wallet and financial-services innovation
- CHAPA – Digital payments and payment infrastructure innovation
- KACHA – Digital financial services and wallet innovation
- ARIFPAY – Digital payments and fintech infrastructure innovation
Their participation highlighted the expanding role of fintech organisations in modernising financial services and supporting the evolution of digital finance in Ethiopia.
Building a More Connected Financial Future
The collective participation of global technology organisations, financial-market institutions and emerging fintech companies created a diverse ecosystem around the 29th Connected Banking Summit.
The summit ecosystem reflected four key pillars of financial transformation:
Global Technology – Payments, enterprise IT and technology capabilities
Financial Markets – Capital-market and financial ecosystem development
Fintech Innovation – Digital wallets, payments and emerging financial services
Industry Collaboration – Connections between innovators, financial institutions and decision-makers
Through this convergence, the summit provided participating organisations with a platform to increase visibility, engage with senior financial-services decision-makers and contribute to conversations shaping Ethiopia’s digital banking future.
A Shared Commitment to Digital Financial Transformation
The 29th Connected Banking Summit – Ethiopia 2026 demonstrated the importance of collaboration between technology providers, financial institutions, fintech innovators and financial-market stakeholders in advancing the country’s digital financial ecosystem.
ICSA extends its appreciation to all sponsors, partners and participating innovators for their contribution to the summit and for supporting a shared vision of a more connected, innovative and future-ready financial ecosystem.
Participating Sponsors, Partners & Banking Innovators
Gold Sponsors:
THUNES | ManageEngine | MBCOM Technologies
Supporting Partners:
Ethiopian Securities Exchange (ESX) | Faydaverse
Banking Innovators:
YAYA Wallet | CHAPA | KACHA | ARIFPAY
