The 17th edition of the Africa Bank 4.0 Summit (West Africa-2025) will take place in Lagos next week, bringing together top banking and fintech leaders from across the continent to discuss how artificial intelligence (AI) and real-time payments are transforming West Africa’s financial services landscape.
The two-day event, organised by BII (Banking Innovation Institute), will be held under the theme “Inclusion to Innovation: Charting a New Era of Financial Excellence in West Africa.” It aims to foster collaboration among industry players, regulators, and technology innovators as the region experiences rapid digital transformation in the financial sector.
According to the organisers, the summit will serve as a major platform for high-level discussions on how emerging technologies such as AI, blockchain, and instant payment systems are reshaping the delivery of banking services, improving customer experience, and driving financial inclusion across Africa.
More than 300 senior executives from leading commercial banks, fintech startups, microfinance institutions, and regulatory agencies are expected to participate. The event will feature keynote speeches, roundtable sessions, panel discussions, and technology showcases highlighting the latest digital banking solutions and innovations in payments infrastructure.
Participants will also engage in specialised workshops and one-on-one networking sessions designed to encourage knowledge sharing, partnership building, and policy dialogue. The summit is expected to address some of the region’s most pressing issues, including cybersecurity, data privacy, cross-border payments, and AI-driven financial inclusion.
A statement from the organisers noted that West Africa’s financial ecosystem is evolving at a record pace, propelled by innovations in artificial intelligence, regulatory reforms, and digital payment adoption. “As West Africa’s financial ecosystem evolves at an accelerated pace propelled by artificial intelligence, real-time payments, regulatory advancements, and inclusive finance, this edition places a sharp focus on building secure, sustainable, and digitally empowered institutions,” the statement read.
One of the major attractions of the event will be the Africa Bank 4.0 Awards (West Africa) and the AFSC Awards, which recognise excellence and innovation in the banking and fintech industry. The awards will celebrate individuals and institutions whose contributions are advancing digital transformation, promoting inclusive banking, and redefining standards of service delivery in the financial sector.
The organisers said the award segment is designed to spotlight the achievements of forward-thinking organisations that are not only adapting to change but also setting new benchmarks for financial innovation on the continent.
Experts say the focus on artificial intelligence and real-time payments at this year’s summit reflects the broader trend of digital disruption in African banking. Over the past few years, AI has increasingly been integrated into customer service, fraud detection, and credit scoring systems, while instant payment solutions have improved financial access for millions of previously unbanked citizens.
Nigeria, Ghana, and Côte d’Ivoire have been at the forefront of fintech innovation in the region, driven by regulatory sandboxes, open banking initiatives, and growing mobile money adoption. The Central Bank of Nigeria’s instant payment system and regulatory support for digital lenders have also accelerated the move towards a cashless economy.
Industry observers believe the summit will serve as a crucial forum for discussing how to scale these innovations while ensuring financial stability, data protection, and consumer trust in the face of emerging technological risks.
The Africa Bank 4.0 Summit has over the years become one of the most influential gatherings for Africa’s financial technology and digital banking leaders. Past editions have featured executives from leading institutions such as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Ecobank, Access Bank, UBA, Flutterwave, Paystack, and Mastercard.
This year’s edition is expected to produce new partnerships and policy recommendations that could shape the future of banking and fintech in West Africa.
