Dubai FinTech Summit 2026 on 12–13 May at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai

The Dubai FinTech Summit 2026, organised by the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), will take place on 12 and 13 May 2026 at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, bringing together policymakers, regulators, investors, and financial innovators from Asia and across the globe to shape the future of global finance.

The FinTech Association of Sri Lanka (FASL) is an Association Partner for the 2026 edition, underscoring Sri Lanka’s expanding role within leading Asian and global fintech ecosystems.

Held under the patronage of  Sheikh Maktoumbin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of the UAE, and President of DIFC, the Summit serves as the anchor event of Dubai Future Finance Week and aligns with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which aims to position Dubai among the world’s top four global financial hubs by 2033.

The Summit will feature a high-profile line-up of global leaders spanning financial markets, investment management, technology, and regulation, with senior participation expected from major global stock exchanges, international financial institutions, asset managers, venture capital firms, and technology providers—reinforcing Dubai’s role as a leading global convening point for dialogue on the future of finance.

The 2026 program will focus on seven strategic pillars shaping the evolution of financial services: future-proofing financial systems; digital assets and tokenisation; payments and cross-border finance; AI-driven decision-making; private capital and WealthTech; sustainability and ESG finance; and innovation in insurance and risk. These themes reflect the accelerating convergence of finance, technology, and regulation amid structural shifts in the global financial architecture.

The previous edition of Dubai FinTech Summit attracted more than 9,000 business leaders, 1,000 investors, and participants from over 120 countries, underscoring its position as one of the world’s most influential fintech gatherings.

FinTech World Cup Regional Competition at Port City Colombo

A central highlight of the Summit will be the FinTech World Cup Grand Finale, hosted on 12 May 2026, where high-potential start-ups from Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas will compete live on the Innovation Stage for investment opportunities, global exposure, and strategic mentorship. 

Sri Lanka’s participation in this global platform will be further strengthened through the hosting of the FinTech World Cup Regional Competition on Tuesday, 31 March 2026, at Port City Colombo. Organised by FASL in strategic partnership with Port City Colombo, the competition builds on the international momentum generated by its successful 2025 edition and will convene Sri Lanka’s most promising fintech innovators alongside global ecosystem partners, investors, and policymakers.

Organised globally by Trescon and powered by Ignyte, the FinTech World Cup is a premier international start-up competition designed to accelerate high-growth fintech ventures by connecting them with global markets, capital, and strategic partnerships. Winners of the Sri Lanka regional competition will advance to the Grand Finale in Dubai, directly linking Sri Lankan innovation to one of the world’s most prominent finance and technology platforms.

The Sri Lanka competition aligns with the strategic vision of Port City Colombo to position itself as a leading offshore financial centre and regional business hub, while supporting the development of the Colombo International Financial Centre (CIFC) as South Asia’s next-generation fintech and financial services hub. This vision emphasises innovation-friendly regulation, regulatory sandboxes, startup accelerators, global partnerships, access to capital and talent, and proof-of-concept platforms.

The FWC Sri Lanka Regional Competition 2026 will be underpinned by a strong network of local and international ecosystem partners, including the Sri Lanka Group of Tech London Advocates and Global Tech Advocates, together with the Sri Lanka Chapter of the Global Academy of Finance and Management (GAFM).

Beyond competition exposure, shortlisted start-ups will gain access to mentorship, investor engagement, and international market insights, equipping them to scale responsibly and compete on a global stage.