The MENA Fintech & Insurtech Festival 2025 successfully concluded its fourth edition at the Doha Exhibition & Convention Centre (DECC), reinforcing Qatar’s position as a rising hub for digital finance, insurtech innovation, and economic transformation. Over two days, the festival convened global and regional leaders across financial services, insurance, technology, investment, and regulation—uniting the industry to define the future of digital economies across the MENA region.
This year marked a milestone with the festival’s expanded dual-focus format, integrating both fintech and insurtech under one powerful platform. Designed as a high-impact B2B matchmaking hub, the event brought together startups, investors, insurers, banks, regulators, and technology providers, advancing a shared mission: to accelerate financial inclusion, strengthen digital capabilities, and foster cross-sector collaboration across MENA.
The opening ceremony featured a keynote address by the Director General/CEO of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Federal Republic of Nigeria, who highlighted how AI, mobile technology, open banking, embedded finance, and digital infrastructure are reshaping global financial systems. He emphasised the growth of Bank 4.0, the importance of interoperable innovation, and proposed a unified MENA–Africa Digital Fintech Corridor to enhance connectivity, resilience, and inclusive growth across the Global South.
Across the festival, attendees engaged in high-level discussions, fireside chats, and hands-on workshops exploring:
- Real-World Assets (RWA) and tokenisation
- AI integration in Islamic fintech
- Digital banking and neobank scalability
- Fintech investment outlook for 2025 and beyond
- Embedded finance and digital payments
- Microinsurance and inclusive insurance models
- Cross-sector partnerships to build resilient digital economies
Reflecting on the success of the event, Malik Shishtawi, President of the MENA Fintech & Insurtech Festival, stated:
“This year marked a major milestone as we brought fintech and insurtech innovators together on one stage. The MENA region is undergoing a historic digital transformation—powered by national vision strategies, progressive regulators, and a vibrant ecosystem of innovators. The collaboration and energy we witnessed reaffirm that this region is actively shaping the global future of financial and insurance technology.”
The 2025 edition strengthens Qatar’s role as a regional catalyst for innovation, economic diversification, and digital transformation, fully aligned with Qatar National Vision 2030.
For more information on upcoming editions, visit menafintechfestival.com.
