I&M Bank Executives among panelists at Kigali’s Inclusive FinTech Forum 2026 exploring finance innovation and access
Rwanda is set to host the Inclusive FinTech Forum 2026 at the Kigali Convention Centre from March 10 to 12. The forum is expected to draw global attention to Africa’s rapidly evolving digital finance landscape.
The three-day event is expected to attract more than 3,000 delegates from finance, technology, and public policy. Organised by the Kigali International Financial Centre, participants will include executives, regulators, startup founders, and representatives from development agencies.
Running under the theme ‘Shaping the Future of Inclusive Finance. Innovation. Connection,’ organisers say the forum will spotlight Africa’s fintech progress while advancing broader financial access across the continent. Panel discussions will explore how emerging solutions can reach underserved communities, while safeguarding stability and trust.
I&M Bank Uganda CEO- Robin Bairstow, will be one of the panelists and will discuss the topic of “Running Inclusive Instant Payment Systems in Real Time: Liquidity, Uptime, and Operational Resilience.”
Bairstow will share the floor with Henry Chinedu Obike- Chief Innovation Officer I&M Bank Rwanda, Dotun Adekunle- CEO and Chief Technology Officer of OPAY, and John Mukono- CEO of Kenswitch. The topical discussion will examine the operational demands of delivering reliable, real-time payment systems, while balancing liquidity and availability.
I&M Bank embarked on strengthening inclusive payment systems after upgrading its core technology to Finacle. It has since expanded its agent banking network, launched strategic partnerships with mobile network operators, and rolled out dedicated digital platforms, such as the I&M On-The-Go app. The bank also continues to reinforce service availability through a 24/7 digital pod, at its head office, at Kingdom Kampala, enabling customers to transact at any time.
The bank continues to prioritise affordability and accessibility, through offerings such as the Express Go account, which provides free bank-to-wallet transfers, and the recently launched IMBRISK service that supports cross-border transactions across East Africa.
“Real-time payments are no longer a luxury, but an expectation. Our focus is to build convenient systems, that are always available, affordable, and accessible to all our customers. By investing in modern infrastructure and strong partnerships, we are ensuring that customers can move money instantly and securely,” Bairstow said.
Commenting about the forum, Annette Nakiyaga, the I&M Bank Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications, highlighted that the bank’s participation is a reflection of its broader commitment to inclusive innovation and regional collaboration.
“Platforms like the Inclusive FinTech Forum provide an opportunity to share practical insights, learn from industry peers, and strengthen partnerships that drive financial inclusion. As a regional bank, we believe sustainable growth in digital finance must be anchored in trust, resilience, and solutions that genuinely respond to customer needs wherever they are,” she said.
According to the Rwanda Ministry of ICT and Innovation, the forum will feature high-level panels, leadership dialogues, and curated roundtables, focused on advancing inclusive digital finance across Africa.
Key themes include central bank digital currencies and cross-border payments, AI-driven financial inclusion, open finance ecosystems, climate and green financing, digital public infrastructure, interoperable real-time payment systems, regulatory alignment, and talent development for the future fintech workforce.
Some of the other speakers at the event include: Hon. Paula Ingabire, Minister of ICT & Innovation, Rwanda; Dr. Patrick Njoroge, former Governor of the Central Bank of Kenya; Mary Ellen Iskenderian, President & CEO of Women’s World Banking; Hilda Moraa, Founder & CEO of Pezesha; and Sopnendu Mohanty, Group CEO of the Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN).
Africa’s digital finance sector is expanding rapidly, signalling strong momentum across the continent. A report by McKinsey & Company projects that revenues could rise from about US$10 billion today to US$47 billion by 2028. Yet growth has not translated into universal access, as an estimated 300 million adults remain outside the formal banking system, particularly in rural and low-income communities.
