The International Centre for Strategic Alliances (ICSA) is pleased to announce the 28th Connected Banking Summit – Southern Africa, Innovation & Excellence Awards 2026, set to take place on 14th October 2026 at a premier venue in Johannesburg, South Africa. This landmark hybrid event will bring together senior executives, regulators, fintech innovators, and technology leaders from across Southern Africa to explore the transformative potential of digital banking and financial infrastructure in driving a secure, inclusive, and resilient financial ecosystem.
Held under the strategic theme “Advancing Intelligent Banking, Security, and Enterprise Digital Modernization in South Africa,” the summit will serve as a critical forum for sharing insights, best practices, and innovative solutions that enable financial institutions to modernize legacy systems, strengthen cybersecurity postures, advance financial inclusion, and deliver seamless, customer-centric digital banking experiences.
Summit Highlights and Program
The 28th Connected Banking Summit will feature an immersive, full-day program including:
Keynote Addresses: Opening and closing keynotes from leading banking chief executives, chief digital officers, and globally recognized experts covering intelligent banking transformation, cybersecurity and zero trust frameworks, payments innovation, and enterprise digital modernization.
Executive Panel Discussions: High-level panels examining critical topics including financial inclusion strategies, AI-driven banking transformation, data governance, cloud migration, and cross-border payments and trade finance.
Technology Showcase: Live demonstrations of next-generation banking platforms, cloud infrastructure offerings, AI-powered analytics tools, cybersecurity solutions, and blockchain applications.
Networking Sessions: Exclusive opportunities for VIP networking with C-suite executives, chief information and data officers, fintech founders, and technology leaders.
Innovation & Excellence Awards: Recognition of standout achievements in digital transformation, security, and customer experience across Southern Africa’s banking and fintech sectors.
Expected Attendee Profile
The summit will attract senior decision-makers including:
C-suite executives (CEOs, COOs, CFOs) from leading banks across Southern Africa
Central bank governors and senior regulatory officials
Chief Information Officers and Chief Technology Officers responsible for digital transformation
Fintech founders and venture capital investors focused on emerging markets
Technology providers and cloud infrastructure specialists
Government officials responsible for financial sector development and digital strategy
Telecommunications executives and payment network operators
Academic researchers and think tank experts focused on financial inclusion
Key Discussion Themes
Building Resilient Financial Ecosystems: Strategies for strengthening infrastructure and operational resilience across the banking sector.
AI-Driven Banking Transformation: Applications of artificial intelligence for credit risk assessment, fraud detection, customer service automation, and predictive analytics.
Cybersecurity and Zero Trust Frameworks: Advanced threat detection, incident response, and data privacy in an increasingly digital threat landscape.
Fintech and Bank Collaboration: Partnerships that extend digital banking access and drive financial inclusion.
Payments and Customer Experience: Revolutionizing payments infrastructure and digital-first customer journeys.
Open Banking and Blockchain: Building secure, interoperable financial ecosystems that enable third-party innovation.
Cloud Solutions and Digital Lending: Scalable infrastructure and expanded access to capital through digital channels.
Sustainable Finance: Integrating environmental and social governance (ESG) considerations into banking operations and lending practices.
Strategic Value for Attendees
Attend the 28th Connected Banking Summit – Southern Africa to:
Gain unparalleled access to decision-makers and innovators shaping Southern Africa’s digital finance ecosystem
Learn real-world use cases demonstrating successful AI, cloud migration, and digital transformation initiatives from the region’s leading banks
Understand evolving regulatory frameworks and industry expectations for digital and intelligent banking
Discover partnership opportunities with fintech innovators and technology providers
Build relationships with peers facing similar digital transformation challenges
Position your organization as an industry thought leader through speaking, sponsorship, or exhibition opportunities
Organizations interested in sponsorship, exhibition, speaking opportunities, or media partnerships should contact ICSA directly.
Register now: https://connected-banking.com/summit/southern-africa/
