Dubai, UAE — Finnovex Middle East 2025 concluded on a high note, further cementing its reputation as one of the region’s most influential and forward-focused financial technology events. Organised by Exibex, the summit brought together key regulators, global banking leaders, digital transformation experts, technology innovators, and policymakers. With more than 300 professionals participating from across the GCC and the wider MENA region, this year’s gathering marked a significant milestone.
The 2025 edition carried added importance as it celebrated seven impactful years of the Finnovex Global Series — a platform dedicated to fostering strategic dialogue, collaborative innovation, and industry advancement across the financial services landscape.
Over two dynamic days, the event delivered an extensive program featuring visionary keynotes, high-level CXO panels, townhall discussions, fireside conversations, spotlight sessions, and innovation-driven dialogues. These sessions addressed the major opportunities and challenges shaping the evolution of the financial sector.
Key Highlights from Day 1 – Reimagining the Digital Banking Roadmap
The summit opened with a Welcome Address from Exibex, followed by insightful remarks from Muhammed Zeeshan Haider of Al Wathba Insurance, setting the stage for a future built on trust and AI-driven transformation.
Notable Keynote Sessions on Day 1
- Mohammed Wassim Khayata, CEO of Al Maryah Community Bank, explored the UAE’s Digital Dirham and the rise of programmable currencies.
- Gorinov Alexandr of Alfa-Bank Russia discussed the shift from traditional cash to advanced digital payment models.
CXO Deep Dive — The Fintech Metamorphosis Playbook
Moderated by Alberto Diez, COO of Emirates Development Bank, this panel featured prominent leaders such as:
- 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)
- Venkat Reddy Kandimalla (CEO, Posidex Technologies)
The panel addressed evolving fintech models, digital maturity, and long-term innovation strategies.
SME Banking, Composable Trade Finance & Intelligent Operations
Ravi Sibal (Softwire), Mücahit Gündebahar (Fimple), Vishal Bhardwaj, and Dr. Ahmed Darwish shared perspectives on transforming SME credit frameworks, enabling borderless trade ecosystems, and enhancing operational efficiency despite legacy system challenges.
Townhall on Payments Innovation
Led by moderator Ramkumar Balasubramaniam, experts from neo-banking, compliance, and payments — including Wassim Khayata (Al Maryah Community Bank), Amar Mehendale (HSBC), Alona Shevtsova (Sends), and Pradeep Negi (RAKBANK) — examined the region’s rapid move toward seamless, secure, and intelligent payment solutions.
Key Highlights from Day 2 – AI, Cybersecurity, and Sustainable Finance Take Center Stage
Day 2 continued the momentum with a series of high-impact keynote presentations, each offering a deep dive into the technologies and strategies defining the future of finance in the region.
Featured Keynote Leaders
- Yan Bechet presented insights on HSBC’s advancements in AI collaboration.
- Abdullah Alawadi highlighted the role of agentic AI and its influence on future-ready operations.
- Alberto Diez discussed the ongoing transformation toward agility across the BFSI ecosystem.
Dr. Hani Alghanem of Uniphore demonstrated how conversational AI and operational intelligence are now measurable contributors to enhanced banking performance.
