Who is eligible to be a hosted buyer at the World Financial Innovation Series (WFIS)?

A hosted buyer is a key decision-maker or senior executive from leading financial institutions in Ho Chi Minh City who: is actively seeking financial solutions showcased at WFIS, is willing to travel to Hanoi for the event, possesses strong purchasing power, commits to one-on-one meetings with selected solution providers, and agrees to stay for the full duration of the event.

How can someone become a hosted buyer at WFIS?

Selection is at the discretion of the event organizers, who will handpick the top 25 technology and digital leaders from Ho Chi Minh City’s foremost banks and financial institutions.

What criteria influence the selection process for the WFIS hosted buyer program?

Hosted buyers are chosen based on their purchasing authority, allocated budget for vendor procurement, specific solutions they seek, and implementation timelines. The selection focuses on senior executives from Ho Chi Minh City who demonstrate strong purchasing intent for solutions featured at WFIS.

What benefits do hosted buyers receive at WFIS?

Hosted buyers enjoy complimentary flights and 5-star accommodation, full access to the event, exclusive entry to the 'Hosted Buyers Lounge,' insights into key financial services topics, exposure to cutting-edge financial technologies, and the opportunity to engage in one-on-one meetings with preferred solution providers.

What are the responsibilities of a hosted buyer at WFIS?

A hosted buyer must actively participate in networking and solution exploration, commit to at least 10 one-on-one meetings with chosen solution providers, and remain present for the full duration of the event.

Agenda 2025

Day - 1
Day - 2

08:00 - 09:00

REGISTRATION & COFFEE

09:00 - 09:15

WELCOME ADDRESS & OPENING REMARKS

09:15 - 09:30

Empowering Kenya’s Financial Innovation Landscape: Challenges and Opportunities

Establishing a Regulatory Framework for Virtual Assets
Advancing the Implementation of a Faster Payments System
Addressing Challenges in Data Protection and Regulatory Compliance

Fidelis Muia

Director of Technical Services

Kenya Bankers Association (KBA)

09:30 - 09:50

Enabling Financial Inclusion at Scale

State of Financial Inclusion
Technology Changes & Advancement
Stumbling Block
Way Forward

Nelson Juma

Chief Information Officer

I&M Group

09:50 - 10:10

How to stop the rising costs of compliance with Cloud and AI

Case study: How a multinational regional bank managed to reduce their costs and improve their internal efficiency
Increasing AML coverage and detection in the cloud
Streamlining intelligent AI processes in Cloud based systems
Consortium learning in real-time for faster business decisions
How GenAI can support with investigations

Muken Ladva

AML Strategy Lead, EMEA

NICE Actimize

10:10 - 10:30

Key trends shaping financial services

Fast-evolving market – be constant in reinventing yourself
Digitalisation – shifting scale advantages from branches to innovation
The right technology partner – achieve speed, convenience, and cost savings

Andrei Buzgan

CEO

Qoobiss

10:30 - 11:10

Panel Discussion

Harnessing Data Analytics for Strategic Intelligence & Success in the BFSI Landscape 

Optimizing Processes with Data Analytics: Streamlining financial operations, fraud detection, and predictive maintenance within the BFSI sector
Empowering Financial Modelling and Risk Management: Utilizing advanced analytics for credit scoring, portfolio management, and real-time risk assessment
Real-time Credit Decisioning with Gen AI: Address credit underwriting queries via 2-way dialogue after pre-checking applications and policy parameters
Enhancing Customer Experience and Personalization: Leveraging data for customer segmentation, sentiment analysis, and tailored product offerings to drive engagement and loyalty
Driving Strategic Decision-Making with Market Intelligence: Harnessing data analytics to identify market trends, assess competition, and support long-term strategic planning

Moderator

Rahul Chaturvedi

Business Head – Digital Banking Solutions

Perfios Software Solutions

Diane Korir

Director, Customer Experience Brand & Marketing

Britam Holdings

Jonah Kuria

Chief Data Officer

Diamond Trust Bank

Titus Sum

Head, CFCR Governance Kenya & EA

Standard Chartered Bank Kenya Limited

Gabriel Ayeni

Head, Advanced Analytics

I&M Bank

Philip Galego

Head of Business Intelligence and Analytics

Equity Bank Limited

11:10 - 11:40

NETWORKING BREAK & VISIT TO EXHIBITOR LOUNGE

11:40 - 12:20

Panel Discussion

Going from Cash to Code: The Future of Digital Payments

Comprehend the underlying technologies that enable digital payments and how they contribute to the security and reliability of digital transactions
Probe the complexities and inefficiencies associated with cross-border digital payments
Explore emerging concepts like central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), decentralized finance (DeFi) and blockchain technology that can possibly revolutionize financial transactions

Moderator

Michelle Rita Mwango

Head of Insurance

Milhan Access Capital Limited

Mohamed Alogail

Subject Matter Expert

Fimple

Julianna Daudi

Head, Digital & Transactional Banking

Sidian Bank

Makabelo Malumane

Head, Transaction Banking

Standard Chartered Kenya

Angela Mwirigi

Director, Digital Financial Services

KCB Bank Group

DEVAN MANMOANDAS

Chief Financial Officer

Moza Banco, S.A.

12:20 - 12:40

The Role of Technology in Shaping the Future of Service and Efficiency.

Case study of KDIC’s (Enterprise Data Warehouse and Business Intelligence).

Kennedy Yegon

Deputy Director - ICT

Kenya Deposit Insurance Corporation

12:40 - 13:20

Panel Discussion

Digital Transformation of the Financial Services Sector: Unlocking the Future Potential

Discuss the importance of embracing digital transformation for banks
Discuss how automation, robotic process automation (RPA), and AI-driven processes are improving efficiency, reducing operational costs, and minimizing errors
Explain the rise of digital wealth management platforms and robo-advisors, making investment services accessible to a broader audience

Moderator

Edgar Tiltmann

Business Development Manager – Financial Crime Compliance

LexisNexis Risk Solutions

Pankaj Kathuria

Chief Commercial Officer

Perfios Software Solutions

Neeraj Anand

Head - IT Applications

SBM Bank (Kenya) Limited

Paul Kioi

Head, Technology & Transformation

ICEA LION GROUP

Georgina Odhiambo

CIO Retail Banking

NCBA Group

Julius Orayo

Group CIO

Jubilee Insurance

13:20 - 14:10

LUNCH BREAK

14:10 - 14:30

RegTech Insights: Staying Ahead of Regulatory Changes

Apprehend the significance of RegTech in the modern financial world and its potential to revolutionize how regulatory compliance is achieved
Discern collaborative efforts between regulatory authorities and the RegTech industry in creating regulatory sandboxes and promoting innovation
Explore the potential of RegTech to facilitate global regulatory harmonization and streamline compliance for organizations operating in multiple jurisdictions

Ahmed ElSonbaty

CEO & Founder

Data Gear

14:30 - 14:50

Banking as a Service (BaaS): Revolutionizing Financial Access

Examine how BaaS facilitates cross-border transactions and international expansion by providing access to banking services and compliance solutions
Comprehend how BaaS can transform retail and e-commerce by enabling businesses to integrate financial services, such as digital wallets and lending, into their platforms
Exploring emerging trends in BaaS, such as decentralized finance (DeFi) integration, the role of blockchain technology, and the potential for BaaS to drive financial inclusion

JANET DALI

Head Partnerships, Ecosystems And
Fintech Strategy (Digital And Innovation)

Diamond Trust Bank

14:50 - 15:10

Unlocking Commercial Growth and Innovation in the Banking Sector

Strategies for expanding into untapped markets and optimizing the product portfolio to drive long-term revenue growth.
Leveraging advanced digital tools and data-driven insights to create personalized banking solutions, enhancing customer loyalty and satisfaction.
Building powerful alliances and collaborations that enhance the bank’s competitive position and open doors to new business opportunities.

Steven Omamo

Head of Digital Banking

Absa Bank Kenya

15:10 - 16:30

CLOSING REMARKS & AFTER HOURS

08:00 - 09:20

REGISTRATION & COFFEE

09:20 - 09:30

OPENING REMARKS

09:30 - 09:50

Modernizing Conventional Banking Products in a Digital World: Innovations, Challenges, and Opportunities

Discuss the challenges faced by traditional banking products in meeting modern customer needs
Underline the importance of a customer-centric approach in modernizing banking products, focusing on personalization, user experience, and 24/7 accessibility
Analyse the challenges faced by banks in modernizing their products, including legacy systems, cultural resistance to change, and cybersecurity threats

Mary Mulili

MD / CEO

UBA Kenya Bank

09:50 - 10:10

CFO Insights: Future-proofing Financial Institutions in a Changing Landscape

Adapting to Economic Volatility: Strategies for Stability, Risk Management, and Informed Decision-Making
Enhancing Operational Efficiency: Cost-Effective Strategies, Digital Transformation, and Financial Transparency
Driving Sustainable Growth: Aligning Financial Goals, Identifying Emerging Market Opportunities, and Optimizing Capital Allocation

DEVAN MANMOANDAS

Chief Financial Officer

Moza Banco, S.A.

10:10 - 10:30

Unlocking Growth through Fast Payments

Challenges in the current ecosystem
A shared vision for a national fast payment system (FPS)
FPS success factors

Gituku Kirika

Chief Executive Officer

PesaLink

10:30 - 10:50

Data-Driven Transformation: A New Era of Business Intelligence

Fostering Accountability and Speed with Team-Centric Data Control
Unlocking Predictive Power with Automated Data Processing
Optimizing Decision Speed and Risk Management with Instant Insights

Hartnell Ndungi

Chief Data Officer

Absa Bank Kenya

10:50 - 11:30

Panel Discussion

Elevating Customer Experience in the Financial Services Industry

Enhancing Digital Platforms: Discussing the role of user-friendly websites, mobile apps, and online portals in providing customers with convenient access to financial services
Assess how to simplify complex financial product information and terms & conditions to help customers better understand the products they are using or considering
Review the importance of implementing strong cybersecurity protocols and data encryption to protect customer information and foster trust

Moderator