11th Connected Banking Summit: Pioneering Innovation for Future Success

On March 6th, 2024, key figures in the banking industry gathered for the 11th Edition Connected Banking Summit- Innovation & Excellence Awards East Africa 2024, Nairobi, Kenya: Pioneering Innovation for Future Success.

Organized by The International Center For Strategic Alliances (ICSA) and supported by industry leaders like Kaspersky, Freshworks, TransUnion, and Access Bank, the summit provided a platform for over 250 decision-makers and C-level executives to come together, share ideas, and set the course for the future of banking.

The event featured a lineup of esteemed speakers from various sectors of the industry, covering topics from digital transformation and cybersecurity to financial inclusion and sustainability.

Speakers Included:

• 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.

The summit also celebrated International Women’s Day and highlighted emerging startups through the “Launchpad Exhibitors” initiative, showcasing the event’s commitment to fostering innovation at all levels.

Additionally, the Innovation & Excellence Awards ceremony recognized outstanding achievements within the banking sector, setting a benchmark for excellence and leadership.

• 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

Looking Ahead to a Bright Future
As the summit concluded, the focus shifted to the future, with announcements of upcoming editions in cities around the world, including Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Johannesburg, South Africa; Manila, Philippines; Manama, Bahrain; Luxembourg City, Luxembourg; Dhaka, Bangladesh and Accra, Ghana.

These future gatherings promise to continue the tradition of inspiring innovation, promoting inclusivity, and driving the banking industry forward.

Looking ahead, future editions of the summit are planned in cities around the world, including Addis Ababa, Johannesburg, Manila, and many more.

To stay updated on future events or get involved, interested parties can reach out via email to Mohammed@connected-banking.com or visit the summit’s website at www.connected-banking.com

The Connected Banking Summit is more than just an event – it is a movement towards a more inclusive, efficient, and innovative banking future. Join us as we shape the future of banking together.

Source: Connected Banking East Africa