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Rabat – The International Centre for Strategic Alliances (ICSA) has announced the 22nd edition of the Connected Banking Summit – Innovation & Excellence Awards 2025, which will take place in Riyadh on November 4 under the theme “Empowering the Future of Banking in the Kingdom: Innovation, Transformation, and Growth.”
The event, taking place at Radisson Blu Riyadh Convention & Exhibition Center, will bring together senior banking executives, fintech leaders, government officials, and technology experts to discuss how innovation and digital transformation are shaping the future of Saudi Arabia’s banking sector.
As part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan, the country is moving rapidly toward a digital and cashless economy, said the organizers in a press release. With more than $20 billion invested in fintech and digital payments, the Kingdom achieved 57% cashless transactions in 2024 and aims to reach 70% by 2025.
The summit will feature keynote speeches from key figures such as Mohammed Alsarrani, Deputy Director General of FSDP at the Saudi Ministry of Finance, Soha Hussein Aboul Farag, Chief Executive Officer at Bank of Jordan, Nawar Al Khunizi, Managing Director and Head of Coverage KSA at First Abu Dhabi Bank, and Dhary Alshammry, Group Chief Internal Auditor at Al Rajhi Bank.
One of the key moments of the summit will be the Innovation & Excellence Awards, which will celebrate achievements in digital transformation, customer experience, and financial inclusion. Award categories will include Digital Bank of the Year, Excellence in AI-Driven Customer Experience, and CEO of the Year, among others.
The Connected Banking Summit aims to serve as a platform for sharing insights on how emerging technologies like generative AI, quantum computing, and 5G are transforming financial services. It also aims to promote collaboration and partnerships aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals.
The summit invited professionals and organizations from across the banking and fintech sectors to join the dialogue shaping the future of finance in Saudi Arabia and the wider MENA region.
The event is supported by industry-leading organizations, including Alfa Bank, Zoom, Nintex, and Taqniyat.
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 is a sweeping national reform plan launched in 2016 by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to transform the kingdom’s economy and society. Its central aim is to reduce Saudi Arabia’s dependence on oil, diversify its sources of income, and modernize the country in line with global standards.
The plan envisions a “vibrant society, a thriving economy, and an ambitious nation,” reflecting goals that go beyond economics to include cultural openness, improved governance, and better quality of life for citizens. Major initiatives under Vision 2030 include promoting tourism and entertainment, expanding women’s participation in the workforce, investing in renewable energy, and developing futuristic projects such as NEOM, a planned $500 billion smart city meant to symbolize the country’s innovative future.
