African Fintech Unconference to Hold in September, Offers Opportunities for New Partnerships

Fintechs across the African continent are set to gather for the annual African Fintech Unconference (AFU).

The second AFU conference brings together innovators, financial institutions & authorities, investors and thought leaders in the African Fintech ecosystem. Scheduled to hold next month in Stellenbosch, South Africa, the event provides a forum for information sharing and discussions about the growing Fintech industry.

African Fintech Unconference set for Stellenbosch in September https://t.co/22LeAe3AiA @Nomanini

— Disrupt Africa (@DisruptAfrica) August 17, 2018

Three African Fintech companies are the organizers of the conference. They include Nomanini, MFS Africa, both from South Africa, and Tugende, a Uganda-based company. The idea of the event first came in 2015 when teams from the companies met at Zambezi Prize for Financial Inclusion.

Holding on September 25 and 26, 2018, this is the second African Fintech Unconference ever. The first conference held in March 2017 in Accra, Ghana. The event featured a cross-section of professionals from the local and global Fintech sectors who discussed key opportunities and challenges for Fintechs in Africa.

It’s official! The second annual African Fintech Unconference, co-convened by @Nomanini @MFS_Africa @Tugende1, will be held on 25 & 26 Sept 2018 @SpierWineFarm – https://t.co/10JgX2AaQR. #AFU18 #Finnovation #Finclusion pic.twitter.com/nblb1I66ZU

— Nomanini (@Nomanini) August 15, 2018

Interestingly, the event is termed an “unconference”, and for good reasons. As an unconference, the summit is an open, participant-driven event. It is designed to enable the rapid exchange of information and ideas, provide a space for valuable conversations, and promote the development of collaborative relationships. The content is proposed and provided by the participants, and is often led and adjusted by the participants at the event.

Last year, the event had 90 participants and 12 guest speakers. It attracted guests from companies such as Paga, Ecobank, and Fidelity Bank. Mastercard Foundation, IFC, and the USAID played a role in supporting the event.

Additionally, according to stats, 80% of the participants came largely to network and seek partnership with other companies.

So this year’s event promises to follow suit, could even draw a larger crowd, and hopefully, new and interesting partnerships.