The third edition of the International Forum on Intermediation, Digital Technology, and Innovation (FONI) 2024 took place on May 16–17, 2024, at the Hôtel 2 Février in Lomé.
This edition, focused on financial inclusion and sustainable development in Africa, brought together more than 1,000 participants, 30 renowned speakers, and 20 partners from across West Africa, making the event a resounding success.
Inspiring opening remarks
La cérémonie d’ouverture a été marquée par deux discours d’une grande qualité, qui ont donné le ton à une édition riche en réflexions et en perspectives. Mr, Blaise AHOUANTCHEDE, Le Président et CEO d’Afrik Créances a retracé l’histoire du FONI et mis en lumière la vision ambitieuse qui guide cet événement majeur, tandis que Madame Mazamesso ASSIH, Ministre de l’Inclusion Financière et de l’Organisation du Secteur Informel de la Présidence togolaise, a souligné le rôle crucial de l’inclusion financière dans le développement durable du continent africain.
Prestigious awards to celebrate excellence
This year’s FONI event provided an opportunity to present several prestigious awards recognizing innovation, leadership, and the positive impact of various stakeholders. These awards have helped reinforce FONI’s commitment to a better future for the African continent.
- Special Award for Financial Inclusion Leader, presented by Afrik Créances to the Togolese Republic.
- Award for the institution that has undertaken far-reaching reforms to revitalize the regional financial market, presented by Afrik Créances to the Financial Markets Authority of the West African Monetary Union (AMF-UMOA).
- Award for the development bank that has mobilized significant resources to finance SMEs and SMIs, presented by Afrik Créances to the West African Development Bank.
- Award for the oldest commercial bank with an extensive local network serving SMEs and SMIs, presented by Afrik Créances to the Togolese Union of Banks (UTB).
- Award for Women’s Entrepreneurship, presented by Afrik Créances to the founder of Restaurant K’RAMEL.
A captivating opening lecture to kick off the discussions
The opening session was captivating, led by the Honorable Marcellin ZINSOU, a leading figure in the private sector, and Grant THORNTON, a recognized expert in supporting SMEs. His presentation sparked keen interest and lively discussion among the participants, all of whom were determined to find concrete solutions to improve conditions for SMEs and small-to-medium-sized industries in Africa.
An innovative digital café to explore technological solutions
Hosted by Dr. Eric Adja, the FONI 2024 digital café gave participants the opportunity to learn about innovative technological solutions designed to improve the operating conditions of African SMEs. Among the innovations presented:
- Cobiscore, a revolutionary scoring platform developed by Mr. Narcisse Zolla, President and CEO of Holding Bourjon Investment, enabling companies to assess their performance and make informed decisions to optimize their results.
- A revolutionary payment technology presented by Mr. Acharaf ZAKI, Global Presales Lead at Hightech Payment Systems, which significantly simplifies administrative procedures for African SMEs and enables them to make and receive payments seamlessly and securely.
Insightful panels addressing critical issues
FONI 2024 featured a series of panels led by internationally renowned experts, addressing critical issues for the development of African SMEs:
- The Role, Functioning, and Impact of Financing Instruments on SMEs
- Digital Innovation for SMEs
- Wealth Management in the Digital Age
- The Role of Financial Services Regulation in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
These panels allowed participants to:
- Understanding the challenges faced by African SMEs
- Discovering practical solutions to improve their circumstances
- Sharing their experiences
FONI 2024 was a resounding success, bringing together key players from the private and public sectors to discuss the future of African SMEs. The fruitful discussions and concrete solutions that emerged from this event will undoubtedly help stimulate the growth and development of SMEs across the continent. FONI 2024 concluded with a cocktail reception that provided an opportunity for participants to network.
In conclusion, FONI 2024 proved to be an essential platform for the development of African SMEs. This event raised awareness of the challenges and opportunities facing these businesses and provided valuable tools and resources to help them thrive.
See photos from FONI 2024 here
