The MENA Fintech & Insurtech Festival 2025 concluded in Doha, showcasing fintech and insurtech innovation, advancing digital transformation in the region.
DOHA: The fourth edition of the MENA Fintech & Insurtech Festival 2025 wrapped up successfully at the Doha Exhibition & Convention Centre (DECC), establishing itself as a key accelerator of fintech and insurtech innovation across the MENA region. The two-day event brought together policymakers, industry leaders, startups, and tech pioneers to drive discussions on future-ready digital finance and insurance models.
Held under an expanded dual-theme format, the festival combined both fintech and insurtech ecosystems into one B2B-focused platform. Attendees included startups, financial institutions, insurance firms, regulators, and investors, all seeking to collaborate and accelerate financial inclusion through cutting-edge technologies such as AI, open banking, mobile-first services, and embedded finance.
In a keynote that captured attention, the Director General/CEO of Nigeria’s National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) highlighted the transformative power of technology across the Global South. He advocated for a joint MENA–Africa digital corridor, aimed at fostering robust financial ecosystems that are both inclusive and resilient in the face of global shifts.
Key themes discussed during the festival included AI in Islamic fintech, digital banking disruption, investment trends, microinsurance innovation, real-world assets (RWA), and the future of cross-sector digital collaboration. Workshops and fireside chats further explored how technology is bridging access gaps, especially for underbanked and underserved populations in the region.
Malik Shishtawi, President of the MENA Fintech & Insurtech Festival, stated:
“This year marked a major milestone as we brought fintech and insurtech innovators together on one stage. The MENA region is undergoing a historic digital transformation—driven by national vision strategies, forward-looking regulators, and a rapidly growing community of innovators. The energy and collaboration we witnessed reaffirm that this region is shaping the global future of financial and insurance technology.”
The success of the festival also reflected Qatar’s broader ambition to become a regional innovation hub, supporting economic diversification through strong digital policy and strategic collaboration.
