Manama:Fintech Forward 2026 has announced its agenda for the upcoming forum, scheduled for October 7-8 at Exhibition World Bahrain, focusing on the theme "Finance in the Age of Intelligent Infrastructure."
According to Bahrain News Agency, the two-day event will include keynote sessions, panel discussions, fireside conversations, exhibitions, and strategic networking opportunities. The discussions will explore how the convergence of technology, infrastructure, and regulation is reshaping the financial services landscape. Topics will cover artificial intelligence in finance, payments, stablecoins, asset tokenisation, open banking, digital identity, fraud prevention, SME finance, digital wealth management, InsurTech, and regulatory innovation.
The agenda will present over 40 regional and global speakers, including notable figures such as Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Minister of Finance and National Economy, and Noor bint Ali Al Khulaif, Minister of Sustainable Development. Other speakers include Khalid Humaidan, Governor of the Central Bank of Bahrain, Usman Ahmed, Group CEO of the National Bank of Bahrain, and Mo Gawdat, an AI expert and former Chief Business Officer at Google X, among others.
An exhibition will feature 20 partners from financial services, fintechs, technology, and government, showcasing innovative solutions shaping the future of finance. This exhibition aims to engage attendees with the companies and ideas driving sectoral changes, complementing the main stage program.
The event is hosted by the Bahrain Economic Development Board, programmed by Forbes Middle East, and supported by the Central Bank of Bahrain, the Labour Fund (Tamkeen), Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority, and Bahrain FinTech Bay. It aims to bring together global thought leaders, policymakers, investors, financial institutions, innovators, and technology experts to examine forces shaping the next phase of financial services.
Bahrain's financial services sector remains a key driver of the national economy, contributing 17.6% to the GDP and representing the Kingdom's largest non-oil sector. The Central Bank of Bahrain plays a crucial role in partnering with industry stakeholders to foster a dynamic financial and technology ecosystem that adapts to and shapes the future of financial services.