Finance Middle East & Africa 2024 | Agenda

The Agenda

Finance Middle East & Africa 2024 | Agenda

Wednesday, 20 November 2024

Finance Middle East & Africa 2024 | Agenda

Wednesday, 20 November 2024
08:30 – 09:00

Registration and morning networking

09:00 – 10:30

Opening Keynote Session

Welcome notes
Keynote Speeches
Leadership Dialogue
Digital frontiers and sustainable growth in MEA

This high-level discussion will explore the dynamic landscape of the MEA financial sector, examining the interplay of technology, regulation, and economic growth. Leaders will share insights on capitalising on emerging opportunities, mitigating risks, and shaping the future of finance in the region.

  • Financial services industry's response to global geopolitics and economic shifts
  • Highlighting innovations in AI, blockchain, and fintech that drive efficiency and customer engagement.
  • Adapting to evolving regulatory frameworks, balancing innovation with compliance, and fostering a conducive business environment.
  • Leveraging finance to drive economic growth beyond oil, exploring sectors like renewable energy and tourism.
10:30 – 11:00

Coffee / Tea break

11:00 – 11:30

Architecting robust financial infrastructures: Innovating for resilience

This session will explore how financial institutions (FIs) in the Middle East and Africa are leveraging cutting-edge technologies to enhance backend operations, ensuring they are robust enough to support innovation and agile enough to adapt to rapidly changing market conditions.

  • From cloud computing and blockchain to AI and automation, discover how these technologies can bolster your backend security, efficiency, and scalability.
  • Partnering with FIs to leverage their agility and expertise.
  • Cultivating Generative AI to enhance strategic decision-making and institute proactive risk management measures
  • Optimising processes to ensure agility and resilience, enabling to adapt quickly to changing market demands.
11:30 – 12:00

Revolutionising transactions: The future of digital payments and remittances

Digital payments and remittances are transforming the way people and businesses transact in MEA. This session will delve into the complexities and opportunities within the cross-border payments landscape in the Middle East and Africa. It will explore how financial institutions and fintechs are leveraging technology to streamline remittances, enhance customer experience, and mitigate risks.

  • Examining the growth of digital payments in the region and its impact on financial inclusion
  • Exploring the latest payment technologies and their application in cross-border payments, including blockchain, AI, and open banking.
  • The role of collaborations between banks, fintechs, and regulators in driving cross-border payments innovation
  • Addressing the imperative of robust anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CTF) measures in cross-border transactions.
12:00 – 12:30

Creating exceptional customer journeys: The power of personalisation

Delivering exceptional customer experiences is crucial for the success of financial institutions. This session will explore how technology and data can be leveraged to understand customer needs and deliver tailored experiences

  • Understanding customer expectations in the digital age
  • Leveraging data analytics for personalised customer experiences
  • Implementing omnichannel strategies for seamless customer interactions
12:30 – 12:45

Key trends and best practices in retail finance and technology

  • Awards programme: process, methodology, and scorecards
  • Latest updates on the key developments in retail finance and technology
  • Key findings from the awards programme
12:45 – 13:45

Lunch

13:45 – 14:15

Navigating the new norms: Regtech dynamics and compliance strategies

The financial industry operates within a complex regulatory environment. This session will provide insights into the latest regulatory developments and explore the role of technology in enhancing compliance and mitigating risks.

  • Analysing the evolving regulatory landscape in MEA such as AML, CTF, and data privacy.
  • Explore emerging regulatory trends and their potential impact on the industry.
  • How Regtech solutions can streamline compliance processes and reduce operational risks.
14:15 – 14:45

Harnessing AI and machine learning: Transformative technologies in action

Artificial intelligence and machine learning are transforming the financial services industry. This session will explore the practical applications of these technologies, from enhancing customer experiences to optimizing operations and mitigating risks. Also, highlighting the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in AI and ML, empowering real-time decision making.

  • Use cases for AI and ML to optimise processes, reduce costs, and improve productivity
  • Discussing the ethical implications of AI in the financial sector
  • Exploring the challenges and opportunities associated with AI adoption
14:45 – 15:15

Shielding the digital frontier: Strategies for cybersecurity and fraud prevention

As the financial industry becomes increasingly digital, cybersecurity risks are on the rise. This session will address the latest threats and explore effective strategies for protecting sensitive data.

  • Assessing the cybersecurity landscape in MEA and identifying emerging threats
  • Explore essential cybersecurity frameworks and best practices for establishing a robust defense.
  • How advanced technologies can enhance threat detection, incident response, and overall security posture.
15:15 – 15:45

Coffee / Tea break

15:45 – 16:15

Charting the Future: Embracing Blockchain and AI in MEA's Financial Evolution

This session will delve into how these technologies are set to redefine financial services, highlighting both the imminent opportunities and the strategic complexities involved.

  • Examine how blockchain and AI are converging to enhance transparency, efficiency, and security in financial operations.
  • Discuss the investment and infrastructure needed to integrate blockchain and AI effectively, from initial costs to long-term maintenance.
  • Explore potential risks, including data security and ethical dilemmas, and discuss strategies for mitigation.
  • Outline how financial institutions can develop strategies to harness the full potential of blockchain and AI, including identifying key areas for early adoption and investment.
16:15 – 16:45

Demystifying AI and GenAI Costs: Risks and Rewards in Our digital future

The rise of AI and Generative AI (GenAI) presents both a thrilling opportunity and a strategic conundrum for any organisation. Mastering these technologies requires informed decision-making, starting with a clear understanding of the associated costs and risks.

This session dives deep into the intricate world of AI and GenAI, equipping you with essential tools to navigate this transformation.

  • Uncovering the hidden costs beyond hardware and software, from talent to ongoing maintenance, for a realistic budget.
  • Exploring risks like bias, security, and ethics beyond just dollars and cents. Learn mitigation strategies for responsible AI deployment.
  • Crafting your personalised roadmap for success. Identify optimal use cases, prioritise initiatives, and allocate resources like a tech-savvy leader.
  • Diving into practical tools and frameworks to implement AI and GenAI strategies. Real-world examples and best practices pave the way for a smooth, successful journey.
16:45

Closing remarks

17:00

End of conference

*This is a working agenda, topics and speakers are subject to change.

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