The 18th Edition of the Connected Banking Summit – Innovation & Excellence Awards 2025 brought together banking, fintech, and cybersecurity leaders to discuss cutting-edge innovations transforming the financial industry.
Held at the Kempinski Hotel on February 18, the summit highlighted the importance of digital transformation, cybersecurity resilience, and customer-centric banking experiences.
Key Highlights from the Summit:
- Fintech and Digital Banking as Growth Drivers:
Dr. Dominic Oduro–Antwi, President of the Global Africa Trade Advisory Chamber, emphasized the role of fintech in driving economic growth and financial inclusion across Africa. - Cybersecurity Imperatives:
Dr. Albert Antwi-Boasiako, Director-General of Ghana’s Cyber Security Authority, addressed rising cyber threats in digital finance, stressing the need for robust cybersecurity frameworks. - Composable Banking for Agility:
Sriranga Sampathkumar, VP & GM – MEA, Infosys Ltd, explored how composable banking enhances digital transformation and improves adaptability in banking services. - Empowering SMEs with B2B Payments:
Folake Egunjobi, Senior Business Development Manager at Thunes, discussed the impact of seamless B2B payment solutions in strengthening small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). - AI-Driven Cybersecurity Solutions:
Benjamin Okolie, Presales Manager – Africa at Kaspersky, demonstrated how AI can enhance fraud detection and risk management in banking. - Cross-Industry Fraud Mitigation:
Ing. Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey, CEO of the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications, emphasized collaborative efforts in fraud mitigation and securing digital transactions. - Enhancing Digital Customer Engagement:
Peter Redelinghuys, Director Sales – MEA at ITSS Global, explored how banks can adapt to evolving customer expectations through improved digital experiences. - Accelerating IT Solutions in Banking:
Ikenna Njubigbo, Country Head, Technology Digital Innovation & Services at FirstBank Ghana, stressed the importance of balancing IT security, agility, and business value. - Cyber Resilience Strategies:
Toheeb Mohammed, AGM Sales and Presales at FPG Technologies & Solutions Ltd, underscored proactive cybersecurity measures to protect financial institutions. - Building Resilient Digital Banks:
Dr. George Mensah, Director, Strategic Programme at Fidelity Bank Ghana Ltd, outlined strategies for creating a strong and customer-focused digital banking ecosystem. - Balancing Security and User Experience:
Dami Adebari, Regional Sales Manager – Africa at HID Global, highlighted the challenge of maintaining strong security while ensuring a seamless user experience. - Financial Inclusion through Digital Lending:
William Danso-Abeam, Country Head, Consumer Products at Ecobank Ghana PLC, shared insights on how digital lending is bridging financial gaps across Africa. - Generative AI in Banking:
Thairu Ndungu, Deputy Managing Director at Consolidated Bank Ghana, examined the potential of generative AI in automating banking processes and improving decision-making. - Cultural and Security Aspects of Digital Transformation:
Bernard Gyebi, Managing Director of Prudential Bank Limited, stressed the importance of balancing innovation with security in the evolving banking landscape. - Trust and Data Security in Banking:
Alex Ntow, Chief Technology Officer at EITBS Limited, provided key strategies for ensuring data security and building trust in digital banking services.
Power-Packed Panel Discussions:
- Cyber Resilience – Protecting and Recovering at the Speed of Attacks
Experts including Senanu Datsa (First Atlantic Bank), Dami Adebari (HID Global), Benjamin Okolie (Kaspersky), and Toheeb Mohammed (FPG Technologies) shared insights on securing banking infrastructure against cyber threats.
- Customer-Centric Strategies for Enhanced Banking Experiences
Thought leaders such as Laurinda Addy (CALBank), Emmanuel Morka (Access Bank Ghana), Bill Yeboah Kyeremeh (Consolidated Bank Ghana), and Mohamed Mousa (Backbase) discussed personalizing banking services to meet evolving customer needs.
From thought-provoking discussions on AI-driven banking to cybersecurity resilience and customer engagement strategies, the Connected Banking Summit 2025 was a hub of insightful exchanges and powerful takeaways.
