For the second consecutive year, Dubai will remain in the spotlight as it hosts the second edition of the Dubai FinTech Summit, set to take place on 6-7 May at Madinat Jumeirah.
Organised by Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the summit will bring together 8,000 decision-makers, over 300 thought leaders and more than 200 exhibitors to discuss the latest innovations and challenges and showcase cutting-edge technologies that will support the advancement of the financial services industry.
The event is under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Finance of the UAE and President of DIFC.
“Nearly 60% of all fintech companies in the GCC are currently based in Dubai”
Mohammad Alblooshi
The global fintech sector is rapidly growing and is predicted to be valued at $608 billion globally by 2029, according to Mordor Intelligence. The MENA fintech market specifically is expected to register a CAGR of over 8% during the period 2024 to 2029. The region’s fintech startup and venture capital landscape is booming, with over 800 fintech start-ups worth $15.5 billion, according to dealroom.co.
Dubai FinTech Summit will offer a platform for startups, investors and industry leaders to connect and capitalise on the growing fintech market in the region and beyond. Reflecting the ongoing transformation in the financial sector, the key themes this year will be finance renaissance, eco-finance and impact, investment vanguard, regulatory frameworks, global financial dynamics and FinTech 2.0.
“Nearly 60% of all fintech companies in the GCC are currently based in Dubai,” said Mohammad Alblooshi, CEO at DIFC Innovation Hub. “With the industry growing at an unprecedented rate, it is crucial for stakeholders to gather and discuss the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. The Dubai FinTech Summit will bring together the most prominent figures in the industry, with an agenda that is aimed at driving innovation, inclusivity, and growth for all.”
With an impressive line-up of distinguished local and international speakers, the Dubai FinTech Summit will host a series of panel discussions and fireside chats. More than 20 governors of financial institutions will attend the summit this year, including representatives from DIFC, the government and the central banks of Armenia, Cambodia, Eswatini, Malta and Rwanda.
A key highlight of the Dubai FinTech Summit will be the Grand Finale of the FinTech World Cup (FWC). The champions will be announced on Day 2 of the summit, with the winners securing an investment of up to $1 million. The competition is a growth-enabling initiative by DFS designed to encourage cross-border collaboration and stellar innovation.
In line with the D33 Agenda to position Dubai as the top four global financial hub by 2033, the Dubai FinTech Summit is designed to encourage cross-border collaboration and innovation, pivotal to transforming the global fintech sector.
The inaugural Dubai FinTech Summit attracted over 5,000 C-suite leaders from over 90 countries including north of 1,000 investors and over 150 speakers. More than 20 Memoranda of Understanding were signed with global financial leaders during the summit.
