{"id":5661,"date":"2018-01-03T14:50:58","date_gmt":"2018-01-03T13:50:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/insights.invyo.io\/africa\/?p=5661"},"modified":"2018-01-08T15:49:17","modified_gmt":"2018-01-08T14:49:17","slug":"key-take-aways-from-finnovation-2017-in-ethiopia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/insights.invyo.io\/africa\/fintech-corner\/key-take-aways-from-finnovation-2017-in-ethiopia\/","title":{"rendered":"Key Take Aways from Finnovation 2017 in Ethiopia"},"content":{"rendered":"

Few weeks ago, Finnovation was kicking off in Ethiopia and we are glad to share with you thoughts and take aways on fintech trends gathered from international and local experts.<\/strong><\/p>\n

In case you could not attend, we are happy to highlight key take aways on a wide range of topics such as financial inclusion\u00a0and how FinTech can make a positive and profitable difference in Africa.<\/p>\n

More than 200 international experts<\/strong> agreed to say that FinTech is accelerating the digital transformation of banking in Africa<\/strong> but highlighted that collaboration is key to look<\/strong>\u00a0forward.<\/p>\n

Global Fintech: Africa’s Context<\/h3>\n

The event explored how the major banks and financial institutions on the continent are addressing the digital transformation of financial services<\/strong>; and how their own digital innovations are being shaped<\/strong> and accelerated as a result of the gathering momentum of FinTech disruptors.<\/p>\n

As stated during Finnovation Ethiopia 2017, I believe that:<\/p>\n

Due to their potent blend of trail-blazing technology and disruptive innovation, FinTech players are positively impacting the digital transformation of financial services in Africa and, in turn, further spurring incumbent banks to rapidly ramp-up their own innovation initiatives to meet the financial needs of under-served markets across the continent.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The unique environment for financial services in Africa is fertile ground for innovative FinTech players<\/strong> who are capitalizing on the opportunities to disrupt or leapfrog established<\/strong> business models to make financial services more affordable<\/strong>, accessible and profitable across the continent.<\/p>\n

The Digital Transformation of Banking in Africa<\/h3>\n

The impact of Blockchain<\/strong>, Open Banking<\/strong>, Mobile Money<\/strong> and Payments innovation<\/strong> are radically transforming the financial services landscape as FinTech disruptors intensify the challenge<\/strong> to incumbent banks in Africa and kickstart new opportunities<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Chris Principe, international Fintech thought leader, shared\u00a0some persuasive insights:<\/p>\n

\u201cA very positive story, if one that is not yet well understood, is unfolding in Africa. New technology, new ideas and new business models are producing new opportunities. The distinctions between telecom services providers, payments services providers and financial institutions are breaking down. Innovative companies are using Blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies to resolve fundamental problems such as lack of access to electricity and lack of access to global financial markets.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

FinTech players are increasingly becoming an important part of the fabric of Africa\u2019s financial<\/strong>
\nservices<\/strong> ecosystem and the leading banks on the continent are now more urgently seeking to harness technology innovations<\/strong>, collaborate with FinTech startups, and create a platform to scale much faster \u2013 to make digital financial services pay.<\/p>\n

Mountaga Diop, Founder & CEO of Ethiopian FinTech BelCash, also said that:<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen unbanked and underbanked communities have access to digital financial services, everyone benefits and FinTech can play a vital role in driving financial inclusion imperatives across the continent. There is an opportunity\u00a0to change people\u2019s lives while building scalable, profitable companies that consumers need and want.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

 <\/p>\n

Finnovation Ethiopia 2017 is part of the FinTech Africa Series which regularly gathers leading<\/strong>
\nstakeholders and influencers in the African FinTech<\/strong> ecosystem, from start-ups to banking powerhouses, from the key markets across Africa and internationally.<\/p>\n

Stay tuned for Finnovation 2018!<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Few weeks ago, Finnovation was kicking off in Ethiopia and we are glad to share with you thoughts and take aways on fintech trends gathered from international and local experts. In case you could not attend, we are happy to highlight key take aways on a wide range of topics such as financial inclusion\u00a0and how […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":5663,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[572,97,13,68],"tags":[235,497,582,328,321,581,577,575,324,574,329,271,580,241,578,303,579,576,272,239,501,573,270,523,276],"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n