Nigeria’s leading platform for payments and financial inclusion dialogue, Payments Forum Nigeria (PAFON 3.0), is set to take place this Friday, April 24, 2026, at the Lagos Oriental Hotel on Lekki Road. The event will convene regulators, fintech leaders, banks, policymakers, agent networks, cybersecurity experts, innovators, and other key stakeholders to discuss the future of digital payments in the country.
With the theme, “Fair Digital Payments as a Catalyst for Deepening Financial Inclusion in Nigeria,” this year’s forum comes at a critical time for Nigeria’s digital economy. Stakeholders are increasingly focused on identifying practical solutions to bridge the financial inclusion gap, build trust in payment systems, and expand access to underserved communities.
The event will be compered by Louisa Olaniyi (Mc Luwy), a multi-award-winning international broadcast journalist, TV host and producer, and professional master of ceremonies, bringing her media expertise and engaging presence to the forum.
PAFON 3.0: Speakers and Industry Insights
Speaking ahead of the event, Peter Oluka, co-convener of Payments Forum Nigeria, emphasized the forum’s unique approach. “Unlike routine conferences, PAFON is a solutions-driven forum designed to bridge policy conversations with market realities.”
He further noted, “The event uniquely convenes fintech operators, agent banking networks, cooperatives, payment innovators, cybersecurity professionals, and thought leaders under one roof to tackle real challenges affecting Nigerians at the grassroots”.
Highlighting the breadth of discussions expected, Oluka added, “From digital trust and cybersecurity to agency banking, embedded finance, stablecoins, eNaira, SME growth, and healthcare financing, PAFON 3.0 is positioned as one of the most strategic gatherings in Nigeria’s payments ecosystem this year”.
The forum will feature a strong lineup of keynote speakers and industry experts, including Prof. Adewale Peter Obadare, Chief Visionary Officer of Digital Encode, and Dr. Jameelah Sherrief-Ayedu, Vice President of FintechNGR and CEO of Credit Registry.
Other notable speakers expected at the event include Dennis Ajalie, Managing Director of TeamApt Ltd.; Mr. Chika Nwosu, Managing Director of PalmPay Nigeria; Uche Uzoebo, MD/CEO of Shared Agent Network Expansion Facilities (SANEF Limited) and Special Guest of Honour; Chike Onwuegbuchi, Chairman of the Nigeria Information Technology Reporters Association of Nigeria (NITRA); Dr. Obioha Otti, National President of the Association of Mobile Money and Bank Agents in Nigeria (AMMBAN); Mojeed Abayomi Agboola, National President of the Financial Inclusion Agents Multipurpose Cooperative Society (FIAMCS); Ibirogba Oluwagunwa, Chairman of the Lagos Chapter of AMMBAN; and Sarafadeen Atanda Fasasi, President of the Association of Financial Inclusion Agents of Nigeria (AFIAN).
Event Highlights: Fireside Chat and More Activities
A key highlight of the event will be a fireside chat focused on Africa’s next wave of innovation in digital finance. The session, titled “Stablecoins vs. eNaira: Orchestrating a Unified Digital Payment Rail for West Africa,” will examine the future of digital currencies and regional payment interoperability.
Organised in collaboration with Lagos Blockchain Week, the session is expected to provide fresh insights into the evolving payments landscape across Africa. It will be hosted by Chuwuemeka Enoch Mbaebie, Lead Convener of LBW, alongside Senator Ihenyen, Lead Partner at Infusion Lawyers and Founding Trustee of the Virtual Asset Service Providers Association (VASPA); Victoria Oluebube Igboanugo, Marketing Lead for Lagos Blockchain Week; Chidubem Emelumadu, Ecosystem Lead (Africa) at Lisk; and Harrison Obiefule, Nigerian Lead for Superteam.
Beyond panel discussions, participants will also witness a product demonstration of the Myitura Healthcare Financing Solution, as well as a town hall meeting on “The State of Agency Banking in Nigeria,” led by AMMBAN. The event will also feature goodwill messages from leading institutions and provide ample networking opportunities for stakeholders across banking, fintech, regulation, media, and innovation sectors.
PAFON 3.0 is expected to draw a wide range of participants, including C-suite executives, startup founders, regulators, investors, development institutions, and digital payment operators seeking insights into the future of Nigeria’s payment ecosystem.
Participation in the event is free!
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