Fintech Islands Experience (FiX), the only global fintech conference in the Caribbean, is teaming up with the Ghana Fintech and Payments Association (GFPA) to enhance connections between fintech stakeholders across Africa and the Caribbean.
FiX25, scheduled for January 22-24, 2025, at the Sam Lord’s Castle Wyndham Grand Barbados, is poised to bring together a community of disruptive and innovative leaders who are redefining financial services. With the support of the GFPA, the leading fintech hub and not-for-profit organization established to promote the advancement of financial technologies and payment systems in Ghana, a strong African presence is expected at the event.
According to the World Economic Forum’s 2024 “Future of Global Fintech” report, which surveyed 227 unique fintech companies worldwide, 57 percent operated across multiple jurisdictions, while 24 percent had a presence in multiple regions. It also revealed that 18 percent of the companies operate in Latin America and the Caribbean, and 15 percent operate in Sub-Saharan Africa. Reflecting on those statistics, Allison Hunte, Co-founder and CEO of Fintech Islands, contended that there is even greater potential for growth in the Caribbean and Africa as interest in fintech services continues to rise.
“Advancing digital financial services through cutting-edge technology is key to unlocking new opportunities across both regions,” said Hunte, adding, “This growth will extend beyond the fintech and financial services sectors, enhancing the quality of life for individuals who have previously been excluded from the formal financial system.”
The CEO of Fintech Islands further stated that Africa has one of the fastest-growing fintech sectors globally, and there are numerous opportunities for the Caribbean to participate in this growth. She said, “The Caribbean is part of Africa’s sixth region, and our smaller geographic size, compared to Africa, presents a strategic opportunity for fintech players on the continent. By using the Caribbean as a sandbox, they can refine and perfect new technologies and services before expanding them on a larger scale. The compact size of the Caribbean region offers an advantage in this regard, allowing for more focused and controlled experimentation and development.”
Through the partnership between Fintech Islands and GFPA, Mr. Martin Kwame Awagah, President of GFPA and Board Member of Africa FinTech Network, will act as the FiX25 African Representative. His role will involve promoting FiX25 in Africa to encourage more attendees and partners from the continent. Mr. Awagah, who was a featured speaker at FiX24, said the event has proven to be a rich tapestry of peer learning, insightful discussions, and invaluable networking opportunities.
“Engaging with industry leaders and innovators not only broadened my understanding of the challenges faced by small island states but also expanded my awareness of the latest trends in fintech in the Caribbean region. The collaborative environment fostered at the event enabled meaningful exchanges beyond surface-level interactions, culminating in actionable insights that have since influenced policy development and strategic initiatives in the fintech landscape,” the FiX25 African Representative said.
The third edition of FiX, dedicated to fostering a more inclusive and efficient financial system in the Caribbean and beyond, is expected to attract over 700 attendees from around the globe, more than 100 speakers, and 50-plus sponsors, marketing, and media partners. The event will include deep-dive content tracks on important fintech topics relevant to the Caribbean community, such as Digital Transformation: Inclusive Innovation in Financial Services; Intelligent Money: Fintech at the Intersection of AI and Humanity; Modernizing Payments: Instant, Interoperable and Borderless; and Fintech Everywhere: Financial Technology Transforming our World.
The three-day event will provide a platform for fintech and other technology start-ups to connect with a broad commercial audience. It is a unique opportunity for policymakers and regulators to hear directly from industry leaders and top performers about the sector’s needs. Additionally, the event allows organizations to exchange ideas, compare insights, and forge business connections. Attendees can expect a mix of business-building activities, cultural experiences, and networking opportunities, including island networking tours and top-notch entertainment.
