BFSI Week Kicks Off In Nairobi
Chad Pollock, Vice President & General Manager, VISA East Africa, delivered opening keynote at BFSI Week [Photo: CIO Africa]
The first day of ‘BFSI Week’, a premier gathering of leaders in banking, SACCOs, and insurance, launched with high energy and insightful dialogue at the Hyatt Regency in Westlands, Nairobi.
Organized by dx⁵, the event brought together top executives, technologists, and regulators to explore the fast-changing landscape of financial services.
Setting the tone was Chad Pollock, Vice President & General Manager, VISA East Africa, who delivered a compelling opening keynote titled “Unbundling & Rebundling Finance: How Technology Is Rewriting the Rules.” His talk emphasised how digital platforms are reshaping the very architecture of financial services, and how agility and innovation are essential to stay competitive.
One of the day’s standout moments was a presentation by George Njuguna, Lead Consultant at GNK Consulting Ltd., on “Compliance in a Converged World: Are Our Rules Keeping Up?” He challenged institutions to rethink governance structures in light of converging regulatory environments and digital infrastructure.
In a lively fireside chat, Amon Ngechu, CTO at Loop DFS, joined Carol Odero, Head of Content at dx⁵, for a session titled “From Legacy to Leapfrog: What Keeps IT Leaders Up at Night.” The discussion covered the transition from outdated systems to scalable, API-driven architectures and the leadership challenges involved.
Before lunch, a timely panel discussion on cybersecurity took center stage. Moderated by Joseph Mathenge, COO at Serianu Ltd., the panel featured Eric Ngei, Head of Group Cybersecurity at KCB Bank Group, and Dr. Bright Gameli Mawudor, Senior Technical Advisor at the Office of the Attorney General. Together, they explored strategies for cyber resilience in increasingly digitized environments.
The afternoon was split into breakout tracks focused on Smart Banking, InsureTech, and SaccoTech, offering deep dives into niche innovations and regulatory outlooks. Experts shared practical case studies, tech demos, and market projections relevant to each sector.
The two-day event continues with more keynote sessions, networking forums, and product showcases. Participants are encouraged not to miss Day 2, which promises even more insight into the future of Africa’s BFSI sector.
