Conference AgendaUNCOVER THE POWER OF DIGITAL COMMERCE

The Future of Agentic AI in Payments
Participants co-design payment flows managed entirely by AI from fraud detection to settlement and explore risks, regulation, and governances

Cross-Border Payments Hackathon
Teams simulate sending/receiving payments across borders, testing solutions like stablecoins, CBDCs, and fintech rails to cut costs and delays.

Building Trust in Digital Money
Interactive workshop on designing trust frameworks: authentication, customer onboarding, transparency in fees, and dispute resolution.

Partnership Playbook: Banks + Fintechs
Participants role-play as banks, fintechs, and telcos negotiating interoperability and scale, ending with mock partnership agreements.

The Future of Money: Delegates’ Debate
Instead of passive listening, delegates split into teams to debate scenarios: Will CBDCs replace cash? Will agentic AI run our payments by 2030? Facilitators guide, but the floor belongs to the audience. Ends with a live vote and takeaways.

Omnichannel Customer Journey Mapping
Delegates map a full shopper journey across digital and in-store touchpoints, identifying friction points and redesigning for seamless payments.

The Future Store Simulation
Workshop builds a hybrid “phygital” retail model, integrating smart checkout, personalisation, and immersive shopping.

Profitability Challenge
Teams manage a simulated eCommerce business, balancing acquisition costs, unit economics, and customer lifetime value.

Cross-Border Retail Expansion Lab
Participants design entry strategies for African brands moving into new markets, solving for logistics, localisation, and compliance.

The Shopper of 2030”
Delegates co-create personas of future African consumers , Gen Z, rural digital adopters, sustainability-driven buyers. Each group presents “a day in the life” of their shopper, sparking fresh ideas for product design, checkout, and loyalty strategies.

AI-Powered Campaign Design
Hands-on with AI tools to create targeted, adaptive campaigns, with participants testing different audience personas.

Retail Media Build-A-Thon
Teams design mock retail media networks, creating ad inventory, pricing models, and campaign pitches.

Influencer Trust Workshop
Participants draft influencer briefs, test metrics for authenticity, and design sustainable partnerships instead of one-offs.

Brand Storytelling Sprint
Groups develop short-form brand stories and test how they resonate with different consumer personas.

Campaign Hackathon: Build in 60 Minutes
Teams design a full marketing campaign for a fictional African retail brand. They pitch their creative, budget, and KPIs in rapid-fire style, with the room voting on the best idea. Highly interactive, fun, and sponsor-friendly.

Designing Resilient Supply Chains
Teams simulate disruptions (border delays, outages) and create adaptive fulfilment strategies in real time.

The African Last Mile Innovation Lab
Participants co-create new delivery models tailored to African realities boda-bodas, township lockers, drone pilots.

Warehouse of the Future
Delegates redesign warehouse layouts using automation, predictive analytics, and modular tech.

PPP in Practice: Infrastructure Simulation
Groups role-play logistics firms, government, and telcos negotiating how to build shared fulfilment systems.

Race to the Last Mile
Delegates role-play logistics firms competing to serve a rapidly urbanising African city. Each group designs fulfilment models under time pressure from bodaboda to drones. The session closes with a mock “pitch to city leaders,” injecting energy and competition.

Red Team vs Blue Team: Payments Edition
Delegates split into attackers and defenders to simulate fraud and cybersecurity breaches.

Zero Trust by Design
Participants retrofit a payment or retail journey with zero-trust security principles.

AI in Fraud Defense
Facilitators walk participants through designing AI-powered fraud defense systems balancing speed, accuracy, and customer experience.

Data Privacy in Commerce
Teams workshop how to make digital customer journeys compliant with POPIA/GDPR while keeping them user-friendly.

From Clicks to Bricks : Bridging Online and In-Store Experiences
Discover how to connect digital marketing with physical retail to deliver seamless, consistent customer journeys across every channel.

The Hidden Customer: Uncovering What Data Doesn’t Tell You
Go beyond dashboards to understand unmet needs, emotional drivers, and hidden segments. Delegates use scenario-based exercises to reframe customer journeys, learning how to combine Edge AI with human intuition for deeper insights.

The Rise of Conversational Commerce: Chatbots, Voice, and Beyond
Hands-on strategies for leveraging AI-powered chat, voice assistants, and messaging apps to drive seamless sales and elevate the customer experience..

Intelligent Last Mile: AI, Data & Partnerships for African Delivery Models
Delegates explore the future of last mile through predictive logistics, AI-enabled routing, and cross-industry partnerships. Practical breakout: designing data-led delivery models that reduce costs while improving transparency.

Women Shaping Africa’s Digital Future

Opening Remarks
Setting the scene: Africa’s digital economy in 2026 – where fintech, retail, and technology converge.

Keynote
The Future of Payments in Africa: Instant, Inclusive, Invisible
This session explores how Africa is leapfrogging traditional financial systems through mobile-first payments, instant settlements, and embedded finance solutions. Key insights include how instant payments and digital wallets are creating frictionless, inclusive experiences for consumers and businesses alike, driving financial inclusion, and supporting SMEs across the continent.

Panel Discussion
Fintech Innovation: How Mobile Money, Digital Wallets & Embedded Finance Are Reshaping Commerce
Fintech solutions are no longer just tools—they are central to commerce in Africa. This panel examines the latest innovations in mobile money, digital wallets, and embedded finance, exploring real-world use cases of how they are enabling consumers and businesses to transact, save, and access credit seamlessly. Delegates will understand the impact on revenue, user adoption, and market expansion.

Panel Discussion
Open Banking & APIs: Unlocking a Borderless Digital Economy
Open banking and API-led ecosystems are breaking down barriers between financial institutions, fintech’s, and merchants. This session explores how APIs are enabling seamless cross-border payments, data sharing, and integrated commerce, allowing African businesses to scale globally while ensuring compliance and trust. Attendees will learn practical strategies for leveraging open finance frameworks to unlock efficiency and innovation.

Fireside Chat
Trust as Currency: Security & Fraud Prevention in Digital
Trust remains the foundation of digital finance. This fireside chat dives into the latest approaches in fraud prevention, identity verification, and cybersecurity for Africa’s evolving payment landscape. Delegates will gain insights into balancing security with user convenience, ensuring more transactions are approved while minimizing fraud risk, particularly in low-data and mobile-first contexts.

Keynote
Payments & Risk That Approve More Good Orders
Explore strategies for smarter fraud detection, identity verification, and credit solutions that maximize approvals without compromising security. This session will highlight innovative solutions like BNPL, instant EFT, and store credit that empower customers while reducing declines and protecting margins. Delegates will gain practical tools to optimize order approvals and boost revenue.

Panel Discussion
Cross-Border Payments: Unlocking Africa’s Regional Trade
Cross-border commerce presents enormous opportunities, but inefficiencies in payments, currency management, and settlement continue to hinder growth. This panel examines practical strategies for reducing friction, increasing transparency, and enabling faster settlement across African markets. Delegates will learn how fintechs and banks are facilitating trade while mitigating regulatory and currency risks.

Fireside Chat
Fintech & the Future Consumer: What’s Next?
This session explores the evolving expectations of African consumers, particularly Gen Z and digitally native users. Discussions will cover emerging payment preferences, digital-first shopping habits, and how fintech’s can anticipate consumer needs through AI, data analytics, and hyper-personalisation strategies.

Panel Discussion
Digital Retail & Omnichannel: The Payments Backbone of Customer Journeys
Omnichannel retail requires unified payment experiences across physical stores, online platforms, and chat channels. This panel explores how payments can be the connective tissue of the customer journey, enabling seamless transitions between touchpoints, real-time inventory visibility, and data-driven personalisation.

Panel Discussion
Seamless Payment Experiences: From QR Codes to Biometric Checkout
Hyper-personalised and frictionless payment experiences are becoming the norm. This session highlights innovations in QR payments, biometric authentication, and integrated point-of-sale systems that improve conversion and user satisfaction. Delegates will gain insights into implementing next-generation payment flows that combine convenience, security, and data privacy.

Panel Discussion
Tech that Grows Profit Now: Personalisation, Better Search & Smarter Forecasting
Technology can drive measurable revenue growth without relying on third-party cookies. This session explores how personalisation engines, AI-powered search, and predictive forecasting tools can increase conversion, basket size, and reduce returns. Case studies will show how metrics-driven innovation delivers immediate impact on profits.

Panel Discussion
Cross-Border Showdown: Who Will Power Africa’s $1 Trillion Trade?
Africa’s regional trade is poised for exponential growth—but who will control the infrastructure, payments, and networks that enable it? This panel explores competing fintech, banking, and regulatory strategies, highlighting innovations that reduce costs, accelerate settlement, and unlock new market opportunities.

Fireside Chat
Fintech Expansion Playbook: SA, Nigeria, Kenya
How leading fintechs are successfully entering and scaling across African markets. This session covers regulatory navigation, market entry strategies, and operational playbooks that enable businesses to grow sustainably while maximizing impact on both consumers and merchants.

Opening Remarks
Setting the Scene: Africa’s Digital Economy in 2026 – Where Retail, Commerce & Technology Converge

Keynote
The Connected Customer: How Africa Shops, Pays, and Experiences the Future
Consumers today demand seamless shopping experiences that blend convenience, trust, and personalisation. This keynote will explore evolving consumer expectations, from digital-first retail journeys to mobile-driven transactions, highlighting how Africa’s unique market dynamics are shaping the future of commerce.

Panel Discussion
Retail Tech Evolution: From Physical to Phygital
Retailers are merging physical and digital experiences to meet customer demand. This panel will showcase how technologies such as AR, virtual try-ons, and smart stores are transforming the retail landscape, bridging the gap between in-store and online while driving new engagement and revenue opportunities.

Fireside Chat
The Real Use Case for Digital Assets in African Trade
Beyond the hype, digital assets are creating practical opportunities for trade and retail. This discussion will explore how blockchain, tokenisation, and digital currencies are being applied in loyalty, settlements, and consumer engagement, and what this means for retailers seeking secure and efficient commerce solutions.

Panel Discussion
The Rise of Omnichannel Commerce: Meeting Consumers Everywhere
Omnichannel is no longer optional—it’s a competitive necessity. This session examines how African retailers are building seamless experiences across online, mobile, and physical channels, offering one consistent journey that drives loyalty, retention, and higher customer lifetime value.

Keynote
The Profitability Playbook: Mastering Unit Economics in eCommerce
With rising costs and tighter margins, profitability in eCommerce requires more than just scale. This keynote will explore how retailers can master unit economics—balancing acquisition costs, fulfilment, and retention strategies—to drive sustainable growth.

Panel Discussion
AI, AR & the Human Touch: Redefining the Shopping Experience
From AI-driven recommendations to AR-powered product discovery, digital tools are reshaping the consumer experience. This panel explores how retailers can use these technologies to create deeply personalised journeys without losing the human element that builds trust and loyalty.

Keynote
Data-Driven Digital Marketing: Personalisation at Scale
Effective personalisation relies on leveraging customer data to deliver targeted, relevant experiences. This session will provide strategies for using AI, analytics, and customer insights to run marketing campaigns that increase engagement, loyalty, and conversions.

Panel Discussion
Digital Retail & Omnichannel: The Customer Journey Backbone
Payments may power transactions, but customer journeys are what create value. This panel will explore how retailers are building omnichannel ecosystems that connect stores, mobile apps, and online platforms into one unified experience, driving long-term loyalty and operational efficiency.

Panel Discussion
Public-Private Partnerships in Fulfilment & Infrastructure
Fulfilment and logistics remain bottlenecks for African eCommerce. This discussion will highlight how collaboration between retailers, logistics companies, and governments can unlock infrastructure, streamline last-mile delivery, and reduce cost-to-serve.

Panel Discussion
Tech That Grows Profit Now: Personalisation, Better Search & Smarter Forecasting
Retailers can grow profits today by implementing practical technology solutions. This panel explores how AI-powered personalisation, search optimisation, and demand forecasting increase conversions, basket sizes, and reduce returns—delivering measurable EBIT impact.

Panel Discussion
Influencer & Retail Media Partnerships That Actually Deliver
Retail media and influencer collaborations are booming, but ROI often falls short. This session will highlight case studies of successful partnerships that drive measurable conversion, brand visibility, and customer acquisition.

Keynote
Fintech Beyond Payments: From Lending to Wealthtech
Explore how fintech is expanding beyond basic payments into lending, insurance, and wealth management solutions tailored for African consumers and SMEs. Delegates will learn how digital credit scoring, micro-lending, and wealthtech platforms are driving financial inclusion, creating new revenue streams, and supporting the growth of local businesses.

Keynote
Seamless Checkout Experiences: One-Click, Contactless, and Invisible Payments
This session highlights innovations in checkout technology, from one-click online payments to contactless and biometric-enabled in-store transactions. Attendees will gain insight into creating frictionless, secure experiences that improve conversion rates, increase customer satisfaction, and reduce cart abandonment.

Panel Discussion
Building the Payments Infrastructure for Africa’s Digital Economy
Understand the foundational systems enabling Africa’s digital economy. This session explores core payment rails, instant settlement platforms, cross-border interoperability, and partnerships between banks, fintechs, and regulators. Delegates will learn how robust infrastructure drives growth, inclusion, and trust in digital commerce.

Keynote
Digital Identity & Authentication: Securing Transactions at Scale
As digital commerce grows, secure and reliable digital identity solutions are essential. This session will examine authentication methods, identity verification, KYC processes, and regulatory compliance to protect consumers and merchants. Practical insights on implementing scalable, user-friendly solutions for the African context will be shared.

Fireside Chat
E-Commerce & Retail Collaboration: How Payments Unlock Growth
Payments are more than transactions—they are strategic levers for growth. This session explores partnerships between e-commerce platforms, retailers, and fintech providers that improve conversion, enable loyalty programs, and optimize cash flow. Delegates will see real-world examples of how integrated payment strategies drive revenue.

Panel Discussion
The Next Fintech Wave: AI, Blockchain & Embedded Finance
Discover how emerging technologies like AI, blockchain, and embedded finance are shaping the next wave of fintech innovation. Delegates will learn about applications in real-time lending, fraud detection, supply chain financing, and intelligent automation that deliver efficiency, transparency, and new business models.

Keynote
AI-Driven Insights for Retail SMBs: Voice-Powered Decision Making
This session showcases how voice-powered AI assistants and GenAI platforms enable SMBs to access actionable insights hands-free, supporting inventory management, marketing decisions, and customer engagement even in low-data environments.

Keynote
Cybersecurity & Consumer Protection in the Digital Age
Digital Transactions bring new risks. This session explores the latest strategies in cybersecurity, fraud prevention, and consumer protection. Delegates will understand how to safeguard sensitive data, maintain trust, and comply with regulations while enabling seamless digital commerce.

Panel Discussion
The Future of Fintech & Retail in Africa: Integration, Scale & Trust
A forward-looking session examining how fintech and retail sectors can integrate systems, scale operations, and build consumer trust. Attendees will hear about successful models for collaboration, digital transformation, and innovation that position Africa as a leading digital economy.

Panel Discussion
Town Hall / Open Mic Session “The Future We Want: Building Africa’s Digital Economy Together”
An interactive session inviting delegates to share insights, challenges, and visions for Africa’s digital economy. This open forum encourages dialogue between fintechs, retailers, regulators, and consumers to co-create solutions that foster inclusion, innovation, and sustainable growth.

Keynote
Omnichannel Strategies: Aligning Digital, Mobile & In-Store Journeys
Explore how brands can seamlessly integrate online, mobile, and physical store experiences to create unified customer journeys. Delegates will learn how technology, data, and operational alignment drive higher engagement, loyalty, and sales across multiple touchpoints.

Keynote
The Future of Retail: Data, Tech & Customer Experience
A forward-looking session on the intersection of retail, technology, and customer experience. Attendees will understand emerging trends, including AI-driven insights, personalization, and adaptive supply chains, that are shaping the retail landscape in Africa.

Panel Discussion
Super Apps & Ecosystems: Who Will Own the African Consumer?
This session examines the rise of super apps in Africa, integrating payments, commerce, social engagement, and services. Delegates will explore strategies for ecosystem dominance, consumer loyalty, and monetization opportunities for businesses seeking to consolidate multiple touchpoints under one platform.

Keynote
Sustainable Commerce: Green Logistics & Ethical Retail
Discover how companies are embedding sustainability into retail operations and logistics. This session covers eco-friendly supply chains, circular economic practices, and ethical sourcing, offering practical strategies to reduce environmental impact while maintaining profitability.

Fireside Chat
Digital Marketing in the Age of AI: Smarter, Faster, More Human
Payments are more than transactions—they are strategic levers for growth. This session explores partnerships between e-commerce platforms, retailers, and fintech providers that improve conversion, enable loyalty programs, and optimize cash flow. Delegates will see real-world examples of how integrated payment strategies drive revenue.

Panel Discussion
The Return of Brand, Retail Media Rising, Funnel Optimisation, Ethical AI & Consumer Trust
Trust This integrated session explores four critical themes shaping modern digital commerce

Interactive Session
“The Digital Dilemma: Audience Decide”
An interactive, audience-driven session where delegates vote on real-world digital commerce scenarios, prioritizing strategies and solutions. The session fosters discussion on critical trade-offs and decision-making in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

SCALEUP SHOWDOWN
A dynamic showcase featuring 8 exceptional startups pitching their innovative solutions live to an audience of investors, corporates, and digital commerce leaders. Delegates will witness first-hand the latest innovations in retail, e-commerce, payments, and marketing, with opportunities for networking, investment, and collaboration.