Shaping the Future of Banking: Key Trends from the 11th Edition Connected Banking Summit- Innovation & Excellence Awards East Africa 2024, Nairobi, Kenya

Nairobi, Kenya – At the heart of East Africa, the Connected Banking Summit, conceptualized and organized by The International Center For Strategic Alliances (ICSA), brought to light the transformative trends shaping the banking industry. 11th Edition Connected Banking Summit- Innovation & Excellence Awards East Africa 2024 took place on 6^th of March in Nairobi, Kenya, supported by Kaspersky, Freshworks, TransUnion, and Access Bank, not only provided a platform for celebrating innovation and excellence but also offered a glimpse into the future of banking through its insightful discussions and panels.

Our esteemed speakers Includes: –
Mary Mulili, CEO, United Bank for Africa Kenya Limited.
Samuel Addae Minta, Country Managing Director, Access Bank (Kenya) PLC.
Stanley Kamanguya, CEO, ICT Authority.
Sumayya Hassan, CEO, Takaful Insurance of Africa.
David Mukaru, CEO, Caritas Microfinance Bank.
Morris Maina, CEO, TransUnion Kenya.
Njeri Jomo, CEO and Principal Officer, Jubilee Health Insurance Limited.
Lillian Odhiambo, Executive Director, Wholesale Banking, Access Bank Kenya PLC.
Winston Vimalraj, Territory Sales Lead, Africa, Freshworks.
Cyrus Kamau, Deputy Director and Chief Analyst, Infrastructure and ICT, National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation.
Amritha Reddy, Director, Fraud Solutions, TransUnion Africa.
Eunice R. Gatama, Deputy GM Group Digital Lending, Ecosystems & Partnerships, I&M Bank), Everline Wangu Kamau (Territory Manager at VMware by Broadcom.
Dr. Gitonga Muriithi, Head of Commercial, Mwananchi Credit.
Winnie Kaaka, Head Products and Channels, Access Bank PLC.
Moses Munguti, Lead Technical Expert East Africa, Kaspersky.
Joshua Odongo, CEO, Tusenti Limited.
Julius Orayo, Group Chief Information Officer, Jubilee Insurance.
Hartnell Ndungi, Chief Data Officer, Absa Group.

George Wanjohi, Chief Information Security Officer, Co-operative Bank of Kenya.
John Frank, CEO, Benkiko.
Angela Mwirigi, Director Digital Financial Services, KCB Bank Group.
Charles Kinyanjui, Head New Ventures and Fintech Development, National Bank of Kenya (NBK).
Winnie Syowai Onyancha, Corporate Relationship Public Sector- Transaction Banking Expert, KCB Bank Group.

Embracing Digital Transformation
A key theme of the summit was the banking sector’s ongoing digital transformation. Panel discussions highlighted the importance of integrating advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and cloud computing to enhance customer service, increase operational efficiency, and ensure the security of digital transactions.

Innovating Customer Experiences
Experts at the summit emphasized the shift towards customer-centric banking models, where personalized services and digital convenience are at the forefront. Innovations in mobile banking, digital wallets, and personalized financial products are expected to redefine the way banks engage with their customers, making banking more accessible, convenient, and tailored to individual needs.

Fostering Financial Inclusion
The summit also spotlighted financial inclusion as a critical trend, with discussions on leveraging technology to reach underserved communities. Digital lending platforms, mobile money services, and innovative payment solutions are seen as key drivers in extending financial services to those previously excluded from the banking ecosystem.

Sustainability and Social Responsibility
Sustainability and social responsibility emerged as pivotal themes, reflecting the banking industry’s commitment to ethical practices and environmental stewardship. Banks are increasingly adopting green financing, supporting sustainable development projects, and implementing ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) criteria in their operations and lending practices.

The Innovation & Excellence Awards acknowledged outstanding achievements across categories, with notable winners: –

• Excellence In Customer Responsiveness – Family Bank Ltd
• Excellence In Product Innovation – National Bank of Kenya
• Best Islamic Bank of The Year – Gulf African Bank
• Excellence In Payment Innovation – Access Bank (Kenya) Plc
• Best SME Bank – Equity Bank Kenya Ltd
• Excellence In Product Marketing – KCB Bank Group (Kenya)
• Excellence In SME Finance – Co-Operative Bank of Kenya
• Excellence In Digital Banking – Standard Chartered Bank Kenya Ltd
• Excellence In Innovative Banking – Absa Bank Kenya Plc
• Excellence In Financial Reporting – Diamond Trust Bank Kenya Ltd
• Excellence In Investment Banking – Stanbic Bank Kenya
• Excellence In Customer Experience – NCBA Bank Kenya
• Best Bank of The Year – UBA Kenya Bank Ltd
• Microfinance Bank of The Year – Kenya Women Microfinance Bank Plc
• Microfinance CEO of The Year – Dennis Mombo, Mwananchi Credit Ltd
• Insurance CEO of The Year – Dr. Julius Kipng’etich, Jubilee Holdings Ltd
• Insurance Provider of The Year – Jubilee Holdings Ltd
• CEO of The Year – Kariuki Ngari, Standard Chartered Bank Kenya Ltd
• CTO of The Year – Moses Okundi, Absa Bank Kenya Plc
• CISO of The Year – Thelma Kganakga, Equity Bank Kenya Ltd
• CDO of The Year – Hartnell Ndungi, Absa Bank Kenya Plc
• COO of The year – Amrit Gayan, SBM Bank Kenya
• Digital Personality of The year – Mary Mulili, UBA Kenya Plc
• Excellence In Financial Inclusion, Safaricom

The summit provided a unique platform for networking, fostering collaborations among attendees, sponsors, and LaunchPad exhibitors, including Tusenti and Benkiko.

Looking Ahead: The Road to 2025 and Beyond
As the Connected Banking Summit sets its sights on future editions in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Johannesburg, South Africa; Manila, Philippines; Manama, Bahrain; Luxembourg City, Luxembourg; Dhaka, Bangladesh and Accra, Ghana, the trends discussed in Nairobi serve as a roadmap for the banking sector’s evolution. The industry is poised for a future where digital innovation, customer-centricity, inclusivity, and sustainability are not just aspirations but fundamental principles driving growth and transformation.

For those keen on being part of this exciting journey towards redefining banking, opportunities abound to engage with the summit’s global community.

To learn more about future events or to get involved, reach out via email to Mohammed@connected-banking.com or visit our website at https://connected-banking.com/summit/

The Connected Banking Summit continues to be a beacon of knowledge and inspiration, charting the course for the banking industry’s future. Join us as we embrace these trends and work together to create a more inclusive, efficient, and sustainable banking world.