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14 - 15 May 2025
Dakar, Senegal

Swift Connect Africa

Overview

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Connecting Africa and the future of finance

We’re bringing the African financial community together at the Noom Hotel Dakar Sea Plaza in Dakar, Senegal between 14 - 15 May 2025. 

Under the theme of ‘Connecting Africa and the future of finance’. expert speakers will explore the challenges and opportunities facing the African payments sector, and there will be plenty of opportunity for networking and knowledge sharing.

We’ll also be holding information sessions before the conference on 13 May. These will dive into how Swift is supporting its community to improve the payments experience and powering transparent transactions end to end, as well as covering the basics of Swift to enable you to make the most of your membership.

With keynotes, panels, and workshops featuring industry leaders, there’s so much to discover at Swift Connect Africa.

Register now

A look back at last year

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Days
Hrs
Mins
14 May 2025 - 15 May 2025
Noom Hotel Dakar Sea Plaza Route de la Corniche Ouest Fann 16868 Dakar
From 08:00 AM

Event

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Programme

09:00 AM - 09:10 AM

Welcome address to Day 1 - Delivering instant and frictionless transactions in Africa and beyond

As Swift Connect Africa opens, our team will welcome the delegation.

They'll set the scene for two days of collaboration, networking and debate as we dive deep into cross-border payments in Africa and around the world.

09:10 AM - 09:50 AM

Opening keynote

09:50 AM - 10:35 AM

Challenges and opportunities in payments

What does data from the Swift network tell us?

Explore the key challenges and opportunities facing the continent’s payments sector, from current trends and customer expectations to market initiatives, ongoing digitisation and technology developments.

10:35 AM - 11:15 AM

Networking break

11:15 AM - 12:00 PM

Swift breakout sessions

Four sessions running concurrently and led by Swift experts. These will be run twice on Day 1 so that you can attend two sessions of your choice. All sessions are offered in English and French. 

· Improving the payments experience with Swift

· End-to-end tracking: powering payment transactions

· Interoperability: the foundation for future payments

· What's Swift all about?

12:00 PM - 01:30 PM

Networking lunch

01:30 PM - 01:40 PM

Afternoon introduction

Ahead of afternoon sessions on Day 1, take a look at what's in store as we continue exploring cross-border payments in Africa and globally.

01:40 PM - 02:25 PM

A banking view: connecting the world and overcoming fragmentation

Ensuring greater interoperability and connectivity is integral to achieving instant and frictionless payment transactions worldwide.

Join this expert banking panel looking at priorities and developments with a focus on Africa.

Speakers

Ellen Kumwenda
Managing Director, Head of Transaction Banking, Absa Group (South Africa)
Mireille Chieyum Kamga
Head of Treasury Operations, African Development Bank (Cote D'Ivoire)
Mike Ogbalu III
Chief Executive Officer, Pan-African Payment Settlement System (Egypt)
02:25 PM - 03:10 PM

The role of mobile money in cross-border transactions

Africa is at the forefront of mobile payments, having seen vast growth in digital wallet usage.

Hear from industry leaders on how Africa can leverage this for greater harmonisation in international transactions.

03:10 PM - 03:45 PM

Networking break

03:45 PM - 04:30 PM

Swift breakout sessions

Four sessions running concurrently and led by Swift experts. These will be run twice on Day 1 so that you can attend two sessions of your choice. All sessions are offered in English and French. 

· Improving the payments experience with Swift

· End-to-end tracking: powering payment transactions

· Interoperability: the foundation for future payments

· What's Swift all about?

04:40 PM - 05:10 PM

Closing address

Rounding off Day 1, our team will cover the key moments, plus preview what’s to come.

If you are joining the evening’s gala dinner, we will also provide details here.

09:00 AM - 09:15 AM

Welcome to Day 2 - Shaping the future of payments

Take a look ahead to what's in store on Day 2, as we work collectively towards an instant and frictionless future, in Africa and around the world.

09:15 AM - 10:00 AM

Keynote address

Speakers

Dr Robert Ochola
Chief Executive Officer, AfricaNenda (Kenya)
10:00 AM - 10:45 AM

Future proofing the financial ecosystem

How can we ensure greater efficiency and security and enhanced customer experiences?

Join this session to look at how innovation and collaboration can help us future proof the financial ecosystem.

Speakers

Naima Yusuf
Executive Head Global Payments, M-PESA (Kenya)
10:45 AM - 11:15 AM

Networking break

11:15 AM - 12:00 PM

Payments in 2035: a vision for the next decade

What will payments look like in ten years' time? Be part of this interactive session as panellists and delegates chart a course for the future of payments, in Africa and globally.

Speakers

David Backshall
VP of Payment Partnerships, Terrapay (United Kingdom)
Thairu Ndungu
Deputy Managing Director Operations, Consolidated Bank Ghana (Ghana)
May Okail Wafa
Executive Director, Head of Sub-Saharan Africa FIG Sales, J.P. Morgan (Dubai)
12:00 PM - 01:30 PM

Networking lunch

01:30 PM - 02:40 PM

Afternoon introduction

Join our team as they take us through the final phase of the conference, with further opportunities to connect and collaborate.

01:40 PM - 02:25 PM

Big data and analytics: a tool for smarter strategies?

Big data brings the promise of improved compliance and analytics, along with increased efficiency and innovation. Can the latest AI technology help make this a reality? Gain insights from an esteemed panel on how to make data work harder.

02:25 PM - 03:20 PM

Swift breakout sessions

Four sessions running concurrently and led by Swift experts. All sessions are offered in English and French. 

· Improving the payments experience with Swift

· End-to-end tracking: powering payment transactions

· Interoperability: the foundation for future payments

· What's Swift all about?

03:20 PM - 03:50 PM

Networking break

03:50 PM - 04:35 PM

A blueprint for the economy: unleashing Africa's potential

Africa is home to an abundance of expertise and resources, which together with a young demographic and a commitment to innovation, are drivers of its financial sector. Join this discussion focusing on what's needed to fuel economic growth.

04:35 PM - 05:00 PM

Closing remarks

As Swift Connect Africa 2025 comes to a close, our team will gather the delegation for a look at conference highlights, drawing together key learnings and takeaways for our ongoing collaboration.

Speakers

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Speakers

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    Ellen Kumwenda

    Managing Director, Head of Transaction Banking, Absa Group (South Africa)

  • Another image

    Mireille Chieyum Kamga

    Head of Treasury Operations, African Development Bank (Cote D'Ivoire)

  • Another image

    Mike Ogbalu III

    Chief Executive Officer, Pan-African Payment Settlement System (Egypt)

  • Another image

    Dr Robert Ochola

    Chief Executive Officer, AfricaNenda (Kenya)

  • Another image

    Naima Yusuf

    Executive Head Global Payments, M-PESA (Kenya)

  • Another image

    David Backshall

    VP of Payment Partnerships, Terrapay (United Kingdom)

  • Another image

    Thairu Ndungu

    Deputy Managing Director Operations, Consolidated Bank Ghana (Ghana)

  • Another image

    May Okail Wafa

    Executive Director, Head of Sub-Saharan Africa FIG Sales, J.P. Morgan (Dubai)

  • Swift Connect Africa brings together senior banking and payments professionals from across the continent to look at the key trends and opportunities in cross-border payments. Join us in Senegal for an invigorating few days of networking, discussion, and collaboration.


    Olivier Lens
    Olivier Lens
    Head of Sub Saharan Africa, Swift

Discover

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Book your pass

A full conference pass is available for 800€ + VAT, giving you access to all sessions, keynote speeches, and networking opportunities.

Secure your spot today and make the most of everything the conference has to offer!

Register now

Sponsoring

Swift Connect Africa is a leading event set to bring together up to 500 financial services professionals. It brings opportunities to increase your firm’s visibility, raise awareness of your brand, and build relationships with new and existing clients.  

If you’re interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at Swift Connect Africa, reach out to us.

Get in touch

Location

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Dakar, Senegal

Noom Hotel Dakar Sea Plaza, Route de la Corniche Ouest Fann 16868, Dakar

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