Yesterday, February 19, 2025, the Kempinski Hotel in Accra played host to the biggest gathering of experts in the banking sector. The 18th Edition of the Connected Banking Summit brought together bankers, financial institutions, and industry experts to empower, educate, and explore the latest trends in the banking sector.
The summit featured keynote speeches, panel discussions, and presentations from renowned speakers, including Mr. Benjamin Okolie, a cybersecurity expert, and Mr. Spiranga from Infosys, a leading world technology expert.
Other Speakers were:
Oppong, Director of FinTech and Innovation, Bank of Ghana
Ing. Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey, CEO, Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications
Kwamina Duker, C.E.O, Development Bank Ghana
Daniel Asiedu, Managing Director, Omni BSIC Bank
Benjamin Dzoboku, Managing Director, Republic Bank (Ghana) PLC
Thairu Ndungu, Deputy Managing Director, Operations, Consolidated Bank Ghana Limited
Emmanuel Morka, Chief Information Officer, Access Bank (Ghana) Plc
Abel Lomotey Daitey, Chief Information Officer, GCB Bank Limited
Seth Frimpong-Manso, Chief Information Security Officer, Access Bank (Ghana) PLC
Cybersecurity Takes Center Stage
Mr. Okolie emphasized the need for cybersecurity awareness and the importance of financial institutions being prepared to counter cyber attacks. He noted that the banking sector is facing significant threats from cybercrime, and it’s essential for institutions to be proactive in their defense.
The Future of Banking: Mobile Money and Crypto
The summit also highlighted the growing importance of mobile money and cryptocurrency in the banking sector. Experts predicted that over 60% of the global population will be using mobile money by 2025, with mobile money alone generating over $600 million in remittances to Ghana from the UK yearly.
Mr. Spiranga emphasized the need for financial institutions to leverage technology to advance banking, citing the popularity of crypto markets worldwide. “Banking is no longer like the way it was two years ago,” he said, highlighting the importance of embracing new technologies to enhance banking services.
Cyber Resilience: Protecting and Recovering from Cyber Attacks
A panel discussion on cyber resilience saw experts sharing their views on how to implement effective strategies for protecting and recovering from cyber attacks. The panel emphasized the need for organizations to create awareness among workers about cybersecurity, monitor the use of AI, and implement preventive plans and detective strategies to identify and respond to cyber threats.
The panel also stressed the importance of cyber insurance and quarterly cyber attack simulations to test an institution’s cyber strength and identify areas for improvement.
The Connected Banking Summit 2025 provided a platform for industry experts to share their insights and expertise, shaping the future of the banking industry in Africa and beyond.
