ANCHORING
ANCHORING
ANCHORING
Why Cotonou,
Why Cotonou,
Why Cotonou,
why 2026
why 2026
why 2026
One moment, one market, one city.
One moment, one market, one city.
One moment, one market, one city.
01
01
Natural logistics hub
Natural logistics hub
Deepwater port, crossroads of
Deepwater port, crossroads of
West Africa. Cotonou
West Africa. Cotonou
gives credibility to the theme
gives credibility to the theme
"real economy".
"real economy".
02
02
E-Government Pioneer
E-Government Pioneer
2nd position in West Africa and
2nd position in West Africa and
Center in the GovTech Maturity Index of
Center in the GovTech Maturity Index of
the World Bank, driven by a
the World Bank, driven by a
ministry dedicated to digital affairs.
ministry dedicated to digital affairs.
03
03
Strategic neutrality
Strategic neutrality
Neutral stance among the major powers
Neutral stance among the major powers
markets (Abidjan, Dakar, Lomé), ideal
markets (Abidjan, Dakar, Lomé), ideal
for regional dialogue.
for regional dialogue.
04
04
Government AI Mandate
Government AI Mandate
First Beninese government with
First Beninese government with
a ministry dedicated to AI, a strong signal
a ministry dedicated to AI, a strong signal
for tech.
for tech.
WHO WILL BE IN THE ROOM
WHO WILL BE IN THE ROOM
WHO WILL BE IN THE ROOM
500 to 600 decision-makers.
500 to 600 decision-makers.
500 to 600 decision-makers.
Not the general public.
Not the general public.
Not the general public.
Three complementary profiles for a
Three complementary profiles for a
Three complementary profiles for a three-dimensional conversation.
three-dimensional conversation.
three-dimensional conversation.
01
01
01
INSTITUTIONAL INVESTORS
INSTITUTIONAL INVESTORS
INSTITUTIONAL INVESTORS
Public decision-makers
Public decision-makers
Public decision-makers
Ministries of Economy / Finance
Ministries of Economy / Finance
Ministries of Economy / Finance
BCEAO · WAMU Banking Commission
BCEAO · WAMU Banking Commission
BCEAO · WAMU Banking Commission
AMF-UMOA · BOAD · BRVM
AMF-UMOA · BOAD · BRVM
AMF-UMOA · BOAD · BRVM
CENTIF / FIU · GIABA · FATF
CENTIF / FIU · GIABA · FATF
CENTIF / FIU · GIABA · FATF
Treasury · Directorate General of Taxes · Customs
Treasury · Directorate General of Taxes · Customs
Treasury · Directorate General of Taxes · Customs
Cybersecurity Agencies / CERT
Cybersecurity Agencies / CERT
Cybersecurity Agencies / CERT
02
02
B2B INDUSTRY
B2B INDUSTRY
Operators & Corporates
Operators & Corporates
Commercial banks · MNOs
Commercial banks · MNOs
Switches & regional infrastructure
Switches & regional infrastructure
Payment / infra / B2B fintechs
Payment / infra / B2B fintechs
Major merchants · e-commerce platforms
Major merchants · e-commerce platforms
Integrators · Insurers · RegTechs
Integrators · Insurers · RegTechs
Consulting & Audit Firms · SMEs
Consulting & Audit Firms · SMEs
03
03
CAPITAL
CAPITAL
Investors & Funders
Investors & Funders
DFIs: BOAD · AFD · WB · EIB · IFC
DFIs: BOAD · AFD · WB · EIB · IFC
Regional and pan-African VC/PE funds
Regional and pan-African VC/PE funds
M&A Investment Banks
M&A Investment Banks
Corporate venture capital (banks/telcos)
Corporate venture capital (banks/telcos)
Foundations & Structural Impact
Foundations & Structural Impact
HISTORIC COMMITMENT
HISTORIC COMMITMENT
The Declaration
The Declaration
from Cotonou
from Cotonou
One moment, one market, one city.
9 measurable commitments to turn fintech into a driver of regional growth.
9 measurable commitments to turn fintech into a driver of regional growth.
CORPORATE
CORPORATE
3 State Commitments
3 State Commitments
01
01
Regulatory clarifications
Regulatory clarifications
02
02
Accelerated approval timelines
Accelerated approval timelines
03
03
Pro-innovation mechanisms
Pro-innovation mechanisms
INDUSTRY
INDUSTRY
3 commitments from key stakeholders
3 commitments from key stakeholders
04
04
Interoperability Standards
Interoperability Standards
05
05
Shared Anti-Fraud Protection
Shared Anti-Fraud Protection
06
06
Infrastructure Investments
Infrastructure Investments
CAPITAL
CAPITAL
3 Investor Commitments
3 Investor Commitments
07
07
Funding envelopes
announced
Funding envelopes
announced
08
08
Accelerator Programs
Accelerator Programs
09
09
Identified investment pipeline
Identified investment pipeline
CORPORATE
3 State Commitments
01
Regulatory clarifications
02
Accelerated approval timelines
03
Pro-innovation mechanisms
INDUSTRY
3 commitments from key stakeholders
04
Interoperability Standards
05
Shared Anti-Fraud Protection
06
Infrastructure Investments
INDUSTRY
3 Investor Commitments
07
Funding envelopes
announced
08
Accelerator Programs
09
Identified investment pipeline
Dakar, Senegal
Dakar, Senegal
Dakar, Senegal
NFF 2025 · DAKAR
NFF 2025 · DAKAR
NFF 2025 · DAKAR
Publishing
The edition
The edition
that has proven
that has proven
that has proven
Sponsorship: Ministry of Finance and Budget of Senegal.
Sponsorship: Ministry of Finance and Budget of Senegal.
Sponsorship: Ministry of Finance and Budget of Senegal.
+30
+30
+30
Nationalities
Nationalities
Nationalities
represented
represented
represented
+20
Actors
major sponsors
+20
Actors
major sponsors
+20
Actors
major sponsors
500
500
500
Participants
Participants
Participants
32
32
32
%
%
%
Profiles
Profiles
Profiles
C-suite executives
C-suite executives
C-suite executives