Doha, Qatar – December 8, 2024 The MENA Fintech Festival 2024 successfully concluded its third edition on December 5 at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) in Doha. The three-day event, held from December 3 to 5, brought together industry leaders, innovators, and stakeholders to explore the latest trends and future opportunities in the financial technology sector.

Building upon the success of its previous editions, the festival evolved from a traditional forum into a dynamic B2B matchmaking platform, fostering collaboration among startups, investors, corporate entities, regulators, incubators, and accelerators. This transformation underscores the event's commitment to advancing fintech and financial inclusion across the MENA region.

The opening ceremony featured a keynote address by H.E. Sheikh Ahmed bin Khalid Al-Thani, Assistant Governor for Financial Instruments and Payment Systems at Qatar Central Bank (QCB). He emphasized the pivotal role of financial technology as a fundamental pillar of modern financial services, highlighting QCB's initiatives to establish an innovation-driven ecosystem aligned with Qatar National Vision 2030. Sheikh Ahmed noted, 'Technology has reshaped the way businesses are conducted around the world, empowering individuals and creating new opportunities to enhance economic growth.'

The festival's agenda included keynote speeches, panel discussions, and workshops addressing challenges and opportunities within the fintech industry, particularly in the MENA region. Discussions centered on the transformative impact of fintech in expanding access to financial services, the importance of tailored financial solutions, supportive regulatory frameworks, and the role of public-private partnerships in fostering financial inclusion.

Malik Shishtawi, President of the MENA Fintech Festival, stated, 'Qatar's FinTech ecosystem exemplifies the impact of visionary leadership and strategic investment. Driven by the progressive policies of the Qatar Central Bank and bolstered by the support of key stakeholders, we are witnessing a profound transformation in financial services—one that is shaping the present and laying a solid foundation for generations to come.'

The festival also provided a platform for networking and collaboration, with participants expressing optimism about the future of fintech in the MENA region. The event's success reflects Qatar's commitment to positioning itself as a global fintech hub, fostering innovation, and driving economic growth through financial technology.