Finnovex Middle East 2025 has successfully concluded, reinforcing its position as one of the region’s most impactful and future-forward financial technology gatherings. Organised by Exibex, the summit convened senior regulators, global banking executives, digital transformation leaders, technology innovators, and policymakers, drawing more than 300+ attendees from across the GCC and broader MENA region.

This year’s edition held special significance as it celebrated seven remarkable years of the Finnovex Global Series — a platform that continues to champion meaningful dialogue, strategic collaboration, and industry-wide innovation across the financial services ecosystem.

Across two high-energy days, the summit delivered a robust lineup of visionary keynotes, CXO deep-dive panels, townhall exchanges, fireside conversations, spotlight sessions, and innovator-led discussions — exploring both the opportunities and challenges reshaping the financial sector today.

Key Insights from Day 1 – Redesigning the Digital Banking Blueprint

The summit opened with a Welcome Address from Exibex, followed by forward-looking remarks from Muhammed Zeeshan Haider of Al Wathba Insurance, setting the tone for a trust-driven, AI-enabled future. 

Inspiring Keynote Presentations on Day 1 

Mohammed Wassim Khayata, CEO of Al Maryah Community Bank, unpacked the UAE’s Digital Dirham and programmable currencies, while Gorinov Alexandr of Alfa-Bank Russia highlighted the move from cash to cutting-edge digital payments.

• Deep Dive CXO Panel — The Fintech Metamorphosis Playbook

Nicely moderated by Alberto Diez, COO of Emirates Development Bank, the panel brought together influential leaders including:

The session brought together industry leaders including Vladislavs Mironovs (Chief Digital Officer, Commercial Bank of Dubai), Mohammed Abdel Razek (CIO & Group Head of Technology, Mashreq), Yan Bechet (Managing Director & COO, HSBC), Abdulla Al-Awadi (CSO, Kuwait International Bank), Dr. Waleed Saied (Co-Founder & VP Technology, Cubic Information Systems), and Venkat Reddy Kandimalla (CEO, Posidex Technologies).

• SME Banking, Composable Trade Finance & Intelligent Operations

Ravi Sibal (Softwire), Mücahit Gündebahar (Fimple), and Vishal Bhardwaj with Dr. Ahmed Darwish deep-dived into transforming SME credit, building borderless trade ecosystems, and scaling operations amid legacy constraints.

• Townhall on Payments Innovation

Moderated by Ramkumar Balasubramaniam, industry experts across neo-banking, compliance, and payments—including Wassim Khayata (Al Maryah Community Bank), Amar Mehendale (HSBC), Alona Shevtsova (Sends), and Pradeep Negi (RAKBANK)—unpacked the region’s shift to seamless, secure, and smart payments.

Key Insights from Day 2 – AI, Cybersecurity & Sustainable Finance Define the Future

Inspiring Keynote Presentations on Day 2 

Over two power-packed days, the summit featured keynote addresses from distinguished leaders, each spotlighting a unique dimension of the region’s financial future

With powerful sessions by:

• Yan Bechet — on HSBC’s AI collaboration
• Abdullah Alawadi — on agentic AI and operational optimization
• Alberto Diez — on agility transformation across BFSI
• Dr. Hani Alghanem, Uniphore, demonstrated how conversational AI and operational intelligence are now measurable drivers of banking outcomes.

The day transitioned into deeper explorations of AI governance, process modernization, and next-gen operations.

• Industry Expert Panel — From Insight to Action

Moderated by Walid Salem (Zurich), the panel featured:

Sridhar Karlapudi (Bank of Sharjah)| Sreedhar Suragouni (Sukoon Insurance)| Husam Abdel Al (Mashreq)| Paweł Świędziewski (CIB)| David Kelly (Commercial Bank of Dubai)

Together, they examined integrating technology, sustainability, and human-centered CX to build future-proof institutions.

Powered by Industry Leaders Driving Fintech Forward

This year’s summit was made possible with the support of visionary partners who are reshaping global BFSI innovation:

Intelligent Operations Partner: WNS
Diamond Sponsor: Alfa Bank
Gold Sponsors: Fimple, Softwire, Uniphore
Bronze Sponsors: Posidex, Cubic Information System, Sends
Networking Sponsors: Finesse, OnlyOffice, System Technologies, Dataroid, Saasworx

Together, they fuelled discussions that will shape policymaking, digital infrastructure, and financial transformation across the region.

Celebrating Excellence – The Finnovex Awards

The celebrations don’t end when the panels do. The Finnovex Awards will shine a spotlight on the region’s most exceptional achievements — from fintech innovation and cybersecurity excellence to customer experience, InsurTech, and ESG-driven finance.

We are proud to congratulate our winners:

• Excellence in Customer Experience Enhancement – Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB)
• Excellence in Mobile Banking – Mashreq
• Excellence in Digital Banking – Commercial Bank of Dubai
• Excellence in AI-Powered Banking – First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB)
• Excellence in Payments Innovation and Execution – Advancing the Mission Zero Vision –RAKBANK
• Excellence in Payments – Emirates NBD
• Excellence in Fintech – Alfa-Bank
• Excellence in Cybersecurity – D360 Bank
• Excellence in Fintech – Bank AlJazira | بنك الجزيرة
• Outstanding Achievement in Customer Experience Excellence – Mission Zero Initiative – RAKBANK
• Outstanding Contribution to Fintech Initiatives – Fimple

𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐀𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐕𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬:

• Strategic Transformation Catalyst of the Year 2025 – Michael Power, RAKBANK
• CDO of the Year 2025 – Sunil Dixit, First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB)
• COO of the Year 2025 – Dr. Abdulla AlTaee, United Arab Bank
• CTO of the Year 2025 – Mohamed Abdel Razek, Mashreq
• CISO of the Year 2025 – Olivier Busolini, Mashreq
• Finfluencer of the Year 2025– Abdulla Al-Awadi, KIB
• Operational Transformation Leader of the Year 2025 2025 – Alberto Diez, Emirates Development Bank (EDB)
• Insurtech Personality Leader of the Year 2025 – Sreedhar Suragouni, Sukoon Insurance
• Financial Women Trailblazer of the Year 2025 – Alona Shevtsova, Sends

Each awardee reflects the spirit of Finnovex – pushing boundaries, embracing disruption, and keeping customers at the heart of every transformation.

Looking Ahead — Finnovex Middle East

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As we close this chapter in Dubai, one truth stands out: Finnovex Middle East 2025 wasn’t just an event — it was a moment, says Shabaz Ahmed, Executive Director at Exibex. A moment where leaders questioned boldly, imagined differently, and sparked ideas that will now travel far beyond these halls.

The energy created here will move across boardrooms, ministries, and innovation labs throughout the region — and across continents as Finnovex continues its journey through Africa, Europe, Asia, and beyond.

To our partners, speakers, award winners, and delegates:
Thank you for bringing your honesty, your expertise, and your heart into the room.
You didn’t just contribute to Finnovex Middle East — you shaped it, elevated it, and gave it meaning.

Until we meet again, Let’s keep building, keep challenging, and keep believing in a financial future designed for people, not systems.

About Finnovex

Finnovex is a globally trusted platform dedicated to transforming the financial services landscape.
Through influential chapters across MENA, Africa, Asia, and Europe, Finnovex brings together regulators, innovators, technology pioneers, and C-level leaders to reimagine the next era of banking, finance, and digital ecosystems.

Every chapter isn’t just a summit — it’s a connection point.
A space where ideas deepen, partnerships form, and visions take shape.