The 23rd Edition of the Connected Banking Summit – Innovation & Excellence Awards 2025 brought together the region’s banking powerhouses, fintech innovators, regulators, and digital transformers to shape the future of a digitally inclusive Ethiopia.

Keynote Highlights

• Mohammed Thoufiq (VP Strategic Partnerships, ICSA) opened with “Innovating Financial Services for a Digitally Inclusive Ethiopia”, setting the perfect tone for innovation and empowerment.

• Mihret Teshome (Summit Presenter) energized the audience, reminding us that digitization and inclusion are true game-changers for Ethiopia’s banking future.

• Dr. Yeshurun Alemayehu Adde (Ex-State Minister for ICT & Digital Economy) delivered insights on “Regtech & Compliance: Balancing Innovation with Risk”—showing how Ethiopia can stay compliant while innovating fast.

• Brutawit Dawit Abdi (CEO, Wegagen Capital Investment Bank) unpacked “Regulatory Developments & Sector Liberalization”, breaking down policy changes reshaping finance.

• Assefa Amere (Chief Officer, IT Office, Addis Bank) inspired with “Innovating for Inclusion”, spotlighting ways to serve rural and underserved communities through secure, affordable digital finance.

• Cybersecurity & AI Moses Munguti (Kaspersky) and Ethiopian cybersecurity leaders revealed strategies to combat AI-driven threats and strengthen resilience across the banking ecosystem.

• Financial Inclusion  Speakers  Hussen Amde (Wegagen Bank) demonstrated how digital banking, mobile finance, and identity systems are expanding access for underserved communities.

• Digital Insurance & Bancassurance – Shiferaw Lencho (Ethiopian Insurance Corporation) and Fikru Tsegaye Wordofa (Society of Insurance Professionals) showcased the integration of insurance into digital financial services as a catalyst for inclusive growth.

• The Future of Customer-Centric Banking in Ethiopia – Muluken Demessie, Chief Banking Operations Officer at NIB International Bank, emphasized balancing digital innovation with operational efficiency by enhancing customer journeys, personalizing SME and retail services, and leveraging data-driven insights for product development.

• Navigating Disruption: How Corporate Culture Shapes Trajectories in Ethiopian Banks – Endalish Woldemichael, Vice President, Strategy & Innovation at Lion International Bank, highlighted how strong leadership, agility, and innovation enable banks to thrive amid regulatory shifts and technological change.

• Identity is the New Collateral – Gabriella Abraham (National ID Program) showcased how Fayda Digital ID is transforming governance, driving inclusion, and enabling digital access through innovations such as eKYC, single sign-on, mobile wallets, and seamless banking integration.

• Driving Financial Inclusion through IFB – Abdella Adem, Vice President of Banking Business at Zamzam Bank, highlighted innovative strategies, scalable models, and the role of Islamic Finance Banking (IFB) in expanding financial access while maintaining trust and compliance.

• Power Panel: Cyber Resilience – Protecting and Recovering at the Speed of Attacks – Cybersecurity leaders including Temesgen Taye (Cooperative Bank of Oromia), Biruk Worku (Abay Bank), Daniel Manaye Kassahun (Commercial Bank of Ethiopia), and Eskinder Mesfin Cherinet, moderated by Moses Munguti (Kaspersky), discussed the evolving threat landscape, strategies for sustainable resilience, and the importance of cross-sector collaboration during cyberattacks.

• Digital Finance as a Catalyst for Inclusion – Ifa Abdisa, Executive of Digital Banking at Gadaa Bank, outlined how digital finance can bridge gaps, empower communities, and expand opportunities by driving greater financial inclusion across Ethiopia.

• Ethiopian Banks Journey Towards Sustainability – Haile Mekonnen, Division Manager, ESG/Sustainability at Wegagen Bank, will spotlight Ethiopia’s banking journey towards sustainability. His session will highlight ESG integration, climate resilience, and green finance as pathways to innovation and growth.

Power-Packed Panel

“Fintech-Bank Collaborations – Disruption or Partnership?” brought bold voices together:

• Temesgen Busha (Awash Bank)

• Makena Muriuki (Backbase)

• Mekdes Bekele (Global Bank Ethiopia)

The panel tackled the most pressing questions on legacy system integration, regulatory challenges, and the future of fintech-bank collaboration.

Innovation & Digital Transformation

From instant payments to regtech, fintech partnerships and financial inclusion, the summit positioned Ethiopia as East Africa’s rising digital finance hub.

With visionary leaders, groundbreaking ideas, and a shared mission for inclusion, the Connected Banking Summit Ethiopia 2025 was not just an event—it was a movement shaping the future of finance.

 Stay tuned for more updates from this incredible journey!