The 11th Edition Connected Banking Summit- Innovation & Excellence Awards East Africa 2024 took place on 6th of March, 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya conceptualized and organized by The International Center For Strategic Alliances (ICSA), has once again left an indelible mark on the banking industry. Supported by esteemed partners such as Kaspersky, Freshworks, TransUnion, and Access Bank, this annual event has proven to be a pivotal platform for over 250 decision-makers and C-level executives to converge, share ideas, and chart the course for the future of banking.
Our esteemed speakers Includes: –
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.
A Confluence of Innovation and Insight
The summit provided a rich tapestry of discussions ranging from digital transformation and cybersecurity to financial inclusion and sustainability. Highlights included the celebration of International Women’s Day, underscoring the event’s commitment to gender equality, and the “Launchpad Exhibitors” initiative, which showcased emerging startups like Tusenti and Benkiko, highlighting the summit’s role in fostering innovation at all levels.
Celebrating Excellence and Leadership
The Innovation & Excellence Awards ceremony was a testament to the summit’s dedication to recognizing outstanding achievements within the banking sector. By honoring those at the forefront of innovation and excellence, the event not only celebrated their contributions but also set a benchmark for others to aspire to.
The Innovation & Excellence Awards acknowledged outstanding achievements across categories, with notable winners: –
The Connected Banking Innovation & Excellences Awards 2024, are one of the most recognised awards in the region in the past 5 years. The awards aim to honor the exemplary contribution from individuals and organisations towards achieving sustainable growth in the BFSI sector, to stay ahead in the global race of digital evolution. They serve as an efficient platform to effectively reward the leaders of today and inspire the leaders of tomorrow, to showcase their proficiency and outstanding contributions, while also endeavouring other organisations to attain the levels of excellence needed to promote sustainable growth, while upholding the mission statement – “Connect, Integrate and Transform.”
- 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.
Fostering Global Partnerships and Collaboration
An underlying theme of the summit was the power of partnerships and collaborations. Through its networking opportunities, the summit facilitated meaningful connections between banks, fintech companies, and financial institutions, proving that the future of banking lies in collective effort and shared vision.
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.
Join Us on the Journey Forward
The Connected Banking Summit invites industry professionals, innovators, and thought leaders to be part of this transformative journey. As we look to the future, the summit remains a beacon for those committed to embracing the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in the banking sector.
For more information on how to get involved or to stay updated on future events, reach out via email to Mohammed@connected-banking.com or visit our website at www.connected-banking.com.As we reflect on the success of the Nairobi summit, it’s clear that the Connected Banking Summit is not just an event but a movement towards a more inclusive, efficient, and innovative banking future. Join us as we continue to shape the future of banking, together.
