SWIFT’s Africa conference to focus on tech innovation
SWIFT said that its 2016 African Regional Conference (ARC) will take place from 17-19 May in Mauritius and have a strong focus on innovation in new technologies.
The financial messaging services provider said that for the second time, ARC will partner with Innotribe, SWIFT’s innovation arm, to support technologies shaping the future of the financial industry across the African continent while providing an opportunity for local young financial technology (fintech) companies to gain exposure on a global stage and benefit from expert mentoring.
The Innotribe Startup Challenge aims to introduce the world’s brightest startups to financial service experts, angel investors, venture capitalists, and leading fintech and financial decision makers.
“In 2016, Innotribe will be looking for the best startups from across the continent and will use its network and alumni to help them to develop to the best of their potential,” SWIFT added.
Sido Bestani, the group’s head of Middle East and Africa, added: “SWIFT Innotribe can help to support and nurture the new technologies that are going to play a big role in the future of the financial industry in Africa. In the 2015 competition, five of the 49 entrants in Cape Town were taken to Sibos in Singapore and benefited from fantastic exposure, mentoring and networking. It is an enriching experience for every company that enters.”
ARC, now in its 23rd year, brings together policy makers, industry leaders and the broader financial community from across the African continent. Typically attracting up to 500 delegates from around 40 countries, ARC is a unique forum for networking, education, discussion and debate.
The Innotribe Startup Challenge was originally launched in 2011 and over 370 startups applied to the competition this year. In 2016, as well as partnering with ARC to tap into the high potential of African startups, Innotribe will leverage a similar SWIFT regional event to harness the innovation in Latin America.
Applications to the 2016 Startup Challenge will open next month with the successful applicants announced in April 2016.