Kenya Hosts Global AI Fintech Forum to Drive Inclusive Digital Finance in Africa
Photo//Nobel Laureate Michael Spence With Shop Zetu CEO Allan Matata
Surfin AI Fintech Forum gathers global thinkers, tech CEOs, and Kenyan policymakers to shape Africa’s next financial frontier.
Global fintech visionaries, Nobel Laureates, and senior Kenyan policymakers convened in Nairobi today for the Surfin AI Fintech Forum, an international gathering focused on leveraging artificial intelligence to advance inclusive finance across Africa.
Held under the theme “Inclusive Innovation for a Digitally Connected Africa,” the forum featured keynote addresses and panel discussions by Prof. Michael Spence (Nobel Laureate in Economics), Yanan Wu (Chairman & CEO of Surfin Group), Prof. John Quelch (global strategist), and top Kenyan leaders including Hon. Francis Kimani, Chair of the National Assembly Finance and Planning Committee, and Dr. Francis Kuria, Senior Planning Advisor at the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry.
In his keynote, Dr. Kuria reaffirmed the Kenyan government’s commitment to making the country a regional fintech and innovation hub.
“We must align innovation with policy. By investing in digital infrastructure and creating a responsive regulatory environment, we aim to unlock inclusive growth for all Kenyans,” he said.
Hon. Kimani, a champion of capital market development, emphasized the importance of aligning fintech with national economic priorities.
“AI and fintech can help us bring millions into the financial system. But we must ensure these tools are harnessed to serve our broader goals — including SME financing, job creation, and resilience,” he stated.
Prof. Spence praised Africa’s potential to leapfrog legacy financial systems by embracing AI and modern infrastructure tailored for underserved populations.
Prof. Quelch added,
“Innovation without cultural and consumer trust is a missed opportunity. Local relevance and trust must be at the heart of fintech.”
Surfin Group’s Yanan Wu underlined the company’s commitment to long-term collaboration with African partners:
“We are not just here to showcase our technology. We are here to co-create with local governments, regulators, and communities to build inclusive financial ecosystems.”
Panel sessions delved into practical applications of AI in Africa — from enhancing credit access and curbing fraud to enabling seamless cross-border payments and supporting resilience in the face of global economic uncertainty. A strong consensus emerged: Africa’s fintech transformation must be locally led, globally informed, and policy-aligned.
Previously held in India, Mexico, and the Philippines, this was the first time the Surfin AI Forum was hosted in East Africa — a clear signal of the continent’s growing importance in global fintech conversations.
The event concluded with a resounding call for deeper partnerships between governments, developers, regulators, investors, and academia to ensure innovation not only scales but uplifts communities and supports sustainable growth.
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