MEA Finance Banking Technology Summit and Awards 2026

24 June 2026
Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Banking and Finance Technology: The Evolution Continues

The most impactful banking and finance technology forum featuring leading-edge debates and enlightening insights brought to you directly from the foremost leaders, innovators and ecosystem builders from across our region

500+ Regional Banking, Finance, Fintech and Technology Leaders
35+ Thought Leaders and Market Experts
6 In-depth and lively sessions on technology in Banking and Finance
9 Hours of Peer Interaction and Networking

Overview

Technology has helped create a new world of banking and finance that brings convenience, agility and accessibility, unimaginable only a few years ago

The banking services that we enjoy today are taken for granted, as they should be because it means they are working, and working well too. The reason they are working well is because of the fruitful and creative partnerships between technology businesses, banks and fintechs. However, it nevertheless behoves us to dwell on the genuinely profound achievements of those that have supplied us with such convenience, agility and accessibility.

We live in turbulent times, both politically and environmental. Yet, with this cloudy backdrop, the development of banking and financial technology continues, and it can reliably be shown that its innovations are easing some of the problems faced by many in their daily lives by enabling much wider financial inclusivity.

Technology will continue to play a leading role in the development and growth of banking and financial services. But what changes are yet to be wrought, and how will the sector, which has already seen so much rapid change over the past few years, further evolve? MEA Finance Banking Technology Summit & Awards 2026 will again proudly gather regional leaders in Banking, Finance, Technology and Fintech to apply their unique knowledge and foresight in a series of lively and highly topical panel debates. The Summit discussions will focus upon the changes technology will bring, the trends that are leading them and the shape of the tasks ahead that will create the banks and financial services of the future.

Following the summit, we will present our 2026 Annual Banking Technology Awards, recognising the commendable achievements of banks and technology businesses for theirdelivery of smarter banking solutions and for their ability to drive real growth in an increasingly competitive regional market.

Up to 500 regional banking and technology leaders with a format that drew the entire spectrum of interested and engaged professionals including regulators, technology companies, start-ups, fintechs, innovators and other stakeholders from the value chains.

Speakers

KEYNOTE

Jamal Saleh Director GeneralUAE Banks Federation
Jonathan Holman Head of Open Finance for the UAENebras Open Finance

Dr. Abdulla AlTaee Chief Operating OfficerUnited Arab Bank
Andrea Cianchetti Head of ProductsAl Etihad Payments
Bryan Stirewalt Executive AdvisorGrant Thornton
Enaz Ebrahim SVP & Head of Consumer PaymentNetwork International
Finali Fernando Managing Director, Regional Head of Products, CCO and Business Management, Global Payments SolutionsHSBC
George Hojeige Chief Executive OfficerVirtuzone
Giovanni Everduin Chief Strategy & Innovation OfficerCommercial Bank International
Gyan Srivastava Group Head One Data and AnalyticsMashreq
Dr. Joseph George Chief Technology OfficerAjman Bank
Haishan Wu Head of AIZand
Mohammed Khayata Chief Executive OfficerMbank
Mohit Aery Senior Vice President, Acceptance and Merchant SolutionsMastercard
Naman Kapoor Managing Director - Head of Payments for Middle East and Africa (MEA)Citi
Osama Al Rahma Head of Business DevelopmentEmirates Investment Bank
Premdeep Shah Director, Head of New EconomyDeutsche Bank
Richard Parsons Director - Financial Service LeaderPwC
Roland Brandli Global Strategy DirectorSmartstream
Shoaib Rizvi Group Head of Digital ProductsEmirates NBD
Somu Roy Managing Director and Country Head of UAENetwork International

VIEW AGENDA

What to expect

Up to 500 regional banking and technology leaders and an event format attracting the entire spectrum of interested professionals including regulators, technology companies, start-ups, fintechs, innovators and other stakeholders from the value chains

Solid networking and engagement opportunities for your company with key decision makers to directly tell them about your company’s solutions to today’s most pressing industry issues

Exposure to the regional banking fraternity with your brand visibility in the exhibition area during networking breaks and via participation in panel discussions and keynote presentations

Opportunity to be recognised and acknowledged by the market as a bank, a technology business or fintech company at the forefront of digital transformation and AI at the MEA Finance Banking Technology Awards.

Who should attend

C-Suite
Chief Executive Officer
Chief Financial Officer
Chief Technology Officer
Chief Operating Officer
Chairman
Chief Audit Executive
Chief Commercial Officer
Chief Economist and Head of Research
Chief of Shared Services Officer
Chief Risk Officer
Managing Director
MD - Head of Treasury, Capital Markets &FI
Department &Section Heads
Partner - Financial Services
Advisor - Investment Management
Commercial Advisor
Executive Director
Head of Client Relations
Head of Payments, Remittances &FX
Head of Regulatory Advisory and Assurance
Head of Transactional Banking
Head Corporate Relations and Strategic Partnerships
Head Digital Strategy and Change
Head of E-Banking
Head of Market Risk
Head of AML &Sanctions
Head of Bancassurance
Head of CAD, Remedial &Collection
Head of Central Operations
Head of Change Management
Head of Client Experience
Head of Compliance
Head of CRM
Head of Disclosure and Issuance Department
Head of Enterprise Architecture
Head of Enterprise Banking Platforms
Head of External Communications
Head of Finance
Head of Financial Institutions
Head of Government Relations &PR
Head of Information Security
Head of Investment Solutions
Head of Issuance
Head of Prepaid Cards
Head of Regulatory Compliance
Head of Retail Banking
Head of Risk Specialist
Head of Strategic Planning
Head of Strategy - Technology
Head of Transaction Banking
Head Product Manager
Manager Audit &Compliance
Manager Operational Risk
Payments &Contract Manager
Portfolio Specialist - Insights &Strategy
Project Manager
Regional Compliance Manager
Regional Manager - Compliance &Risk Retention &Vigilance Manager
Senior CRM Project Lead
Senior CX Manager
Senior Manager - Digital Transformation
Senior Manager Treasury
Information Security, Senior Strategic Advisor
Senior Trade Officer, Strategy &PMO
Assistant Vice President - Global Customer Relations
Associate VP - Strategic Engagements
AVP Agile Delivery - Retail Banking
AVP Credit Risk and Portfolio Manager
FS Strategy Manager
SVP &Head of Compliance Compliance - Personal Banking Group
SVP &Regional Head - Corporate &Commercial Banking
Vice President, Compliance
VP Risk and Change Management
VP Wealth and Asset Management
VP - Strategic Initiatives &Bancassurance

Conference

The MEA Finance Banking Technology Summit in 2025 brought together over 800 regional banking and technology leaders for a day of immersive and productive discussion on the latest developments, emergent trends and the most pressing issues facing the banking industry in the Middle East and Africa.

The one-day, highly exclusive gathering included 4 presentations and a rage of panel discussions, featuring over 40 industry-leading experts and distinguished speakers who came to discuss the future of banking innovation and what it will mean for our region.

About the awards

Conceived and based in our exciting, dynamic and promising region, MEA Finance was established with the goal of serving the regional banking and financial services sector. We are committed to providing dedicated news, insightful interviews, the highestlevel events and thought leadership from the region’s financial service providers and banking technology leaders.

MEA Finance is best placed to cover the full range of the banking and financial sectors, from retail to investment banking; wealth management to Islamic finance, and the fast-developing technology that powers the industry today. As part of our integral role in the region’s banking sector, we benchmark, recognise and actively encourage excellence within institutions.

MEA Finance Banking Technology Awards 2026 will give due recognition and celebrate the achievements of the region’s leading banks, financial institutions and technology providers at the forefront of digital transformation who have worked together to build smarter, more effective and efficient systems for the new age banking customers and clients.

Key dates

Nomination open: 13 January 2026
Nomination deadline: 21 May 2026
Judging Process: 25 May 2026
Awards Ceremony: 24 June 2026

Submission Process

MEA Finance conducts its own research to ensure that our awards categories accurately reflect the current banking landscape and comprehensively recognise the achievements of the industry.

As a result, we have determined award categories that provide regional recognition to exceptional banks, financial institutions and technology providers who are shaping the new digital financial landscape and have made outstanding contributions to the future of the industry. Institutions can nominate themselves in all relevant categories as deemed appropriate, provided the submission is sent in before the deadline, and in the required format.

HOW TO ENTER

STEP 1: Choose your category.
It is important to review the individual descriptions and criteria before choosing your category.

STEP 2: Upload relevant financial performance documents or other relevant information.

STEP 3: Confirm submission of your entry.

Judging Process

The awards will feature a rigorous two-step judging process by a panel of industry experts in collaboration with the MEA Finance editorial team.

All nomination entries will be meticulously evaluated and analysed based on relevant market knowledge, industry research, and accurate company financial statements. The MEA Finance editorial team will then create a shortlist which will be given to the judging panel.
The judging panel will be composed of senior executives from professional services firms working with the banking industry. They will review the shortlist and the submitted materials for each category and place a score from 1 to 5 for each category nominee. All scores will be sent back to the editorial team.
The MEA Finance editorial team will independently score shortlisted institutions per category. Score values will be from 1 to 5. All scores will be kept confidential and will not be released publicly, nor will they be discussed with any individual applicants.
Scores from both the judging panel and the editorial team shall be collected and combined. The editorial team will hold an official tabulation of the scores to determine the highest scoring institution per category which will be declared winner.