Nearly 300 million adults across Africa remain unbanked, particularly in rural and low-income communities, despite advancements in financial technology. This situation underscores the need for greater financial inclusion and presents a significant opportunity for growth, with fintech revenues in Africa projected to reach US$47 billion by 2028, a nearly fivefold increase from approximately US$10 billion in 2023.
The Inclusive FinTech Forum (IFF) 2026 will be held from March 10–12, 2026, at the Kigali Convention Centre. The event is expected to gather over 3,000 global leaders from finance, policymaking, technology, and innovation to advance inclusive, resilient, and sustainable financial systems across Africa and other emerging markets. The forum is hosted in partnership with the Kigali International Financial Centre, the National Bank of Rwanda, and the Global Finance & Technology Network.
IFF 2026 will operate under the theme “Shaping the Future of Inclusive Finance: Innovation. Impact. Connection.” The forum will concentrate on four strategic areas: Africa’s digital currency corridors, AI-powered financial inclusion, open finance ecosystems, and climate fintech solutions. This aims to position the forum as a platform where policy and practice converge.
Hosting IFF 2026 reinforces Kigali’s position as a global hub for fintech innovation and cross-continental collaboration. Rwanda’s role as a gateway between Africa and global financial markets is also being strengthened.
The Inclusive FinTech Forum, now in its third edition, has already produced tangible results. Previous editions spurred the Africa Next-Generation Digital Payment Infrastructure Project, a joint initiative by the National Bank of Rwanda and the Bank of Ghana. This project includes a live pilot for fintech license passporting between Rwanda and Ghana, allowing fintechs to operate across both markets.
IFF has also facilitated capital mobilization, including the launch of the five-year LuxAid Fintech Fund, supported by the Luxembourg Development Agency. Discussions are underway to include additional strategic partners, such as the Mastercard Foundation. Kigali currently ranks third in Africa and 67th globally in the Global Financial Centres Index (2025), reflecting the impact of Rwanda’s regulatory sandbox framework and its approach to financial innovation.
Hortense Mudenge, CEO of the Kigali International Finance Centre (KIFC), stated that IFF has become a vital platform for investors, policymakers, and innovators to drive inclusive and sustainable finance, positioning Rwanda as a key gateway for capital.
Soraya Munyana Hakuziyaremye, Governor of the National Bank of Rwanda (BNR), emphasized the forum’s role as a bridge between Rwanda and the global fintech community, advancing shared priorities on inclusion, resilience, and stability. She noted the importance of central banks in ensuring technology-driven innovations deliver a broad-based and sustainable impact.
Sopnendu Mohanty, CEO of the Global Finance and Technology Network (GFTN), highlighted the need for strong global partnerships to connect financial innovation with policy and capital, and reaffirmed GFTN’s commitment to fostering dialogue, experimentation, and knowledge exchange.
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