Silver Jubilee edition convenes banking leaders, technology innovators and industry experts, alongside the Innovation & Excellence Awards 2026
Johannesburg, South Africa – The 28th Connected Banking Summit – Southern Africa | Innovation & Excellence Awards 2026 concluded on 14 October at the NH Johannesburg Sandton. Senior leaders from banking, financial services, technology, cybersecurity, data and digital finance gathered to examine how Southern African institutions can advance intelligent banking, strengthen security and modernise their enterprises.
Organised by the International Center for Strategic Alliances (ICSA), the summit was held under the theme “Advancing Intelligent Banking, Security & Enterprise Digital Modernization.”
A Silver Jubilee Milestone
The 28th edition marked the Silver Jubilee of the Connected Banking Summit series, which has spent 25 years driving innovation, collaboration and transformation across global banking. Its return to Johannesburg came as financial institutions navigate the convergence of AI, digital payments, cybersecurity, data and enterprise modernisation.
The programme covered digital banking transformation, cybersecurity and fraud prevention, AI in banking operations, payments modernisation, data intelligence, risk and compliance, customer experience and financial inclusion.
Speakers & Keynotes
The summit featured senior decision-makers from leading institutions across Southern Africa and beyond.
Tier 1 Speakers
- Matt Crow – Head of Regional Expansion, Tether
- Max Baldakov – Regional Head, Business Growth & Customer Operations (FP, META), Group-IB
- Thav Reddy – Group Head, Data Privacy, Absa Group
- Dolly Mphahlele – Head, Enterprise Datawarehouse, Nedbank
- Doreen Mokoena – Chief Information Security Officer, Cybersec Clinique
- Brian Mahlangu – Head, Strategy & Digital Commercialisation, Absa Group
- Mandla Mbasane – Chief Information Security Officer, National Housing Finance Corporation SA
- Thuthukile Mtshali – Chief Technology & Operations Officer, Standard Chartered
- Rashid Ishmail – Chief Information Security Officer, Access Bank South Africa
- Liam Reddy – Chief Compliance Officer, State Bank of India, South Africa
- Khetha Cele – Group Chief Information Officer, Ithala Development Finance Corporation
- Arun Krishnamoorthy – CIO, Commercial Payments, Absa Group
- Richard Simanga Ngwenya – Founder & Chairman, Nisela Capital & Honeybadger Family Office
- Sanisha Packirisamy – Group Economist, Momentum Group
- Nqobile Kubeka – Data Head for Global Markets, Standard Bank Group
- Dhiren Beni – Founder & Digital Transformation Executive, Beni Group Pty Ltd
Tier 2 Speakers
- Mcdonald Chigumba – Experienced Treasury Executive, Bidvest
- Durvesh Maharaj – Portfolio Manager: Growth, Vodacom
- Itumeleng Nomlomo – Senior Business Solutions Manager, SAS
- Chris Gatsi – ISACA South Africa
- Koketso Rihlampfu – Senior Manager: Lead Information Security Officer, MTN
- Mohammad Flaifel – Regional Sales Director, KSA, SADC & Turkey, Group-IB
- Muvhango Sipho Steven Livhusha – Digital Transformation Strategist and AI Evangelist
- Pedro Mullor – Director of Payments Solutions Growth & Delivery, Evonsys
Sponsors & Partners
The summit was supported by leading organisations across digital assets, cybersecurity, data and payments.
- Tether – Gold Sponsor
- Group-IB – Gold Sponsor
- SAS – Silver Sponsor
- EvonSys – Silver Sponsor
Supporting Partners & Other Partners
- ISACA South Africa Chapter – Supporting Partner
- Cybersec Clinique – Supporting Partner
- Anama Productions – Official Photography & Videography Partner
The day concluded with the Connected Banking Innovation & Excellence Awards 2026, celebrating the region’s boldest banking innovators. The awards recognise the institutions, leaders and innovators shaping the future of banking and financial services through vision, leadership and measurable impact.
Institution & Innovation Awards
Award Category | Winner |
Bank of the Year – South Africa 2026 | Standard Bank |
Excellence in AI-Enabled Banking Innovation | Absa Bank |
Excellence in Mobile Banking Experience | First National Bank |
Excellence in Investment Banking & Capital Markets | Rand Merchant Bank |
Leadership in Sustainable Finance | Nedbank |
Excellence in Financial Inclusion & Affordable Banking | Capitec Bank |
Excellence in Social Impact & Customer Empowerment | African Bank |
Best Digital Bank – South Africa 2026 | GoTyme Bank |
Excellence in Specialist Foreign Exchange Banking | Bidvest Bank |
Excellence in SME & Women’s Entrepreneurship Banking | Access Bank South Africa |
Emerging Bank of the Year | OM Bank |
Banking Cybersecurity Partner of the Year | Group-IB |
Leadership Awards
Award Category | Winner | Organisation |
Banking CIO of the Year | Arun Krishnamoorthy | Absa Group |
Banking Cybersecurity Leadership Award | Manoj Puri | Absa Group |
Banking CEO of the Year | Jason Quinn | Nedbank |
Technology Transformation Leader of the Year | Andrew Baker | Capitec |
A Connected Future for Banking in South Africa
The summit reinforced the value of collaboration between financial institutions, technology leaders, professional bodies and innovators in building an intelligent, secure and digitally modernised banking sector. As the Connected Banking series marks 25 years of industry engagement, the connections made in Johannesburg contribute to a more secure and
connected future for the region’s financial services.
About the Organizers
The International Center for Strategic Alliances (ICSA) is a global organisation that designs platforms for collaboration, knowledge exchange and leadership dialogue across banking, technology and digital transformation. It convenes decision-makers, innovators and policy leaders through executive forums, strategic summits and thought-leadership initiatives.
Company Contact:
International Center for Strategic Alliances (ICSA)
Phone: +44 20 3808 8625
Email: info@connected-banking.com
Website: www.intercsa.com
Event: connected-banking.com/summit/southern-africa
Connect. Integrate. Transform.
