Crafting the Future of Banking: Insights from 11th Edition Connected Banking Summit- Innovation & Excellence Awards East Africa 2024, Nairobi, Kenya

Nairobi, Kenya – Conceptualized and organized by The International Center For Strategic Alliances (ICSA), the 11th Edition Connected Banking Summit- Innovation & Excellence Awards East Africa 2024 on 6th of March, 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya has set a new benchmark for the future of digital banking and financial inclusion in East Africa.

This pivotal annual event brought together over 250 decision-makers and C-level executives, establishing itself as a key gathering for industry innovation, expertise, and strategic partnerships.

The summit featured notable partnerships with Kaspersky as the Official Cybersecurity Partner, Freshworks and TransUnion as Gold sponsors, and Access Bank as the Official Banking partner.

Our esteemed speakers Includes: –

1. Mary Mulili, CEO, United Bank for Africa Kenya Limited.
2. Samuel Addae Minta, Country Managing Director, Access Bank (Kenya) PLC.
3. Stanley Kamanguya, CEO, ICT Authority.
4. Sumayya Hassan, CEO, Takaful Insurance of Africa.
5. David Mukaru, CEO, Caritas Microfinance Bank.
6. Morris Maina, CEO, TransUnion Kenya.
7. Njeri Jomo, CEO and Principal Officer, Jubilee Health Insurance Limited.
8. Lillian Odhiambo, Executive Director, Wholesale Banking, Access Bank Kenya PLC.
9. Winston Vimalraj, Territory Sales Lead, Africa, Freshworks.
10. Cyrus Kamau, Deputy Director and Chief Analyst, Infrastructure and ICT, National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation.
11. Amritha Reddy, Director, Fraud Solutions, TransUnion Africa.
12. Eunice R. Gatama, Deputy GM Group Digital Lending, Ecosystems & Partnerships, I&M Bank), Everline Wangu Kamau (Territory Manager at VMware by Broadcom.
13. Dr. Gitonga Muriithi, Head of Commercial, Mwananchi Credit.
14. Winnie Kaaka, Head Products and Channels, Access Bank PLC.
15. Moses Munguti, Lead Technical Expert East Africa, Kaspersky.
16. Joshua Odongo, CEO, Tusenti Limited.
17. Julius Orayo, Group Chief Information Officer, Jubilee Insurance.
18. Hartnell Ndungi, Chief Data Officer, Absa Group.
19. George Wanjohi, Chief Information Security Officer, Co-operative Bank of Kenya.
20. John Frank, CEO, Benkiko.
21. Angela Mwirigi, Director Digital Financial Services, KCB Bank Group.
22. Charles Kinyanjui, Head New Ventures and Fintech Development, National Bank of Kenya (NBK).
23. Winnie Syowai Onyancha, Corporate Relationship Public Sector- Transaction Banking Expert, KCB Bank Group.

 Guardians of Trust: The Cybersecurity Imperative in Modern Banking

This essential panel included insights from experts like George Wanjohi, Chief Information Security Officer, Co-operative Bank of Kenya; Michael Michie, CEO, Eversetech; Moses Munguti, Lead Technical Expert East Africa, Kaspersky; and Amritha Reddy, Director, Fraud Solutions, TransUnion Africa with Cyrus Kamau, Deputy Director and Chief Analyst, Infrastructure and ICT, National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI), leading the discussion as the moderator. The focus was on the paramount importance of cybersecurity in protecting against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats facing the banking industry today.

The Power of Data: Harnessing Analytics for Strategic Decision-Making

The transformative power of data analytics in banking was the centerpiece of this session. Featuring Philip Galego, General Manager – Business Intelligence and Analytics, Equity Bank; Asha Kamenge, Head of Product Innovation, Gulf African Bank; Anna Njoki Amasinde, Head of Business Banking, HFC Kenya and Winnie Saowai Onyancha, Corporate Relationship Public Sector & Transaction Banking Expert, KCB Bank Group the discussion showcased how data-driven insights are crucial for enhancing customer experiences and making strategic organizational decisions.

In a celebration of diversity and empowerment, the summit honored International Women’s Day 2024, highlighting its commitment to gender equality. The “Launchpad Exhibitors” CSR initiative was another summit highlight, showcasing innovative startups like Tusenti and Benkiko. This initiative underscores the summit’s commitment to fostering innovation by connecting startups with the industry’s key decision-makers.

The Innovation & Excellence Awards ceremony was a fitting conclusion to the summit, recognizing individuals and organizations at the forefront of banking innovation and excellence: –

• 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

The summit provided a unique platform for networking, fostering collaborations among attendees, sponsors, and LaunchPad exhibitors, including Tusenti and Benkiko.

As the banking industry continues to embrace digital transformation and financial inclusivity, the significance of the Connected Banking Summit as an annual event cannot be overstated. It serves as a crucial platform for sharing insights, fostering collaboration, and driving innovation.

For those interested in getting involved in future summits or seeking more information, reach out via email to Mohammed@connected-banking.com or visit our website at https://connected-banking.com/summit/

The Connected Banking Summit will continue its global journey in 2024, with upcoming editions in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Johannesburg, South Africa; Manila, Philippines; Manama, Bahrain; Luxembourg City, Luxembourg; Dhaka, Bangladesh; and Accra, Ghana. These events promise to bring together industry leaders to further explore the evolving landscape of banking and finance.