The Next Fintech Forum (NFF), a leading event for financial technology in French-speaking Africa, is scheduled to take place on November 26-27, 2026, at the Sofitel Cotonou Marina Hotel & Spa. This year's theme, "From Adoption to Value: Industrializing Fintech to Accelerate Growth," reflects the event's ambition to move beyond mere adoption of financial technologies and transform fintech into a structured industry that generates measurable wealth for states and economies in the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA).
The NFF, organized by the UEMOA Fintech Alliance, brings together public decision-makers, regulators, banks, fintech companies, investors, and international partners to discuss strategic agendas. Following the success of the 2025 edition in Dakar, which attracted 500 participants from over 30 nationalities and 20 major sponsors, the event is expected to draw an even larger crowd in Cotonou. The forum aims to produce concrete and measurable commitments, formalized in the "Cotonou Declaration."
A significant institutional presence is expected at the 2026 edition, with various actors invited, including ministries of economy, finance, digital transformation, commerce, and innovation from UEMOA member states. Key regional institutions, such as the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO), the West African Economic and Monetary Union Commission (UEMOA), the West African Development Bank (BOAD), and the Financial Market Authority of the UEMOA (AMF-UMOA), will also be in attendance.
The 2026 edition of the NFF introduces several major innovations, making it more than just a forum – an accelerator of decisions. These include the Africa Blockchain & Crypto Conference, which will launch the UEMOA Crypto Initiative, a regional platform for dialogue and action on digital assets and blockchain. Additionally, there will be a workshop on AI in finance, a Regulator Clinic, the Fintech Linguere Awards, and Fintech Academia.
Nigeria and Ghana have been chosen as the countries of honor for this year's edition. Nigeria, the continent's largest fintech market, and Ghana, one of the most advanced digital finance markets in West Africa, will participate in the forum, creating opportunities for cooperation and exchange between English-speaking and French-speaking ecosystems.
According to Alex Sea, Founder and Director of the UEMOA Fintech Alliance, the fintech sector has proven it can reach considerable volumes, but the focus in 2026 will be on creating value, with measurable impact, within a regulatory framework. The Cotonou forum is expected to be a pivotal moment in shaping the future of financial technology in West Africa.
The event's outcomes will be formalized in the "Cotonou Declaration," which will include nine public-private commitments with key performance indicators (KPIs), deadlines, and designated responsible parties. This declaration aims to provide a clear roadmap for the development of fintech in the UEMOA region.
Key points
- The Next Fintech Forum 2026 will focus on industrializing fintech to accelerate growth in West Africa.
- The event will bring together public decision-makers, regulators, banks, fintech companies, investors, and international partners to discuss strategic agendas.
- Nigeria and Ghana have been chosen as countries of honor for their significant contributions to the fintech sector in West Africa.
