Harnessing the Power of Integration: Reflections from the EU-EAC CORE Peer-to-Peer Learning Conference 2025

The EU-EAC CORE Programme’s Second Peer-to-Peer Learning Conference on Financial Services was held from 10 to 11 June 2025 in Kampala, Uganda, sparking conversations and commitments that could shape the future of digital financial services across East Africa. Organized in partnership with the Financial Technologies Service Providers Association (FITSPA) Uganda, the event underscored the value of strong local collaboration in advancing regional dialogue.

Guided by the theme: “Digital Innovation in Financial Services to Boost Cross-Border Trade and Productivity: Empowering East Africa’s FinTech Ecosystem,” the conference brought together regional regulators, policymakers, private sector leaders, and development partners to engage on one common goal: a unified, inclusive, and future-ready financial system.

The EU-EAC CORE Programme Peer-to-Peer Learning Conference 2025, Day 1, opened with a powerful show of unity and urgency from key regional and international leaders. In her welcoming remarks, Ms. BUSINGYE Flavia, representing the East African Community (EAC) Secretariat, set an optimistic tone by emphasizing the shared regional vision:

“This conference reflects our shared commitment to a seamless, digital, and integrated East African financial landscape. Collaboration is not optional, it’s essential.”

Echoing the importance of partnership beyond the region, Ms. Sanne Williams of the EU Delegation to Uganda reaffirmed the European Union’s enduring support for East Africa’s digital transformation.

“The EU remains a steadfast partner in East Africa’s digital transition. Our joint efforts must ensure that innovation benefits everyone not just the few,” she stated.

From the private sector, Mr. Adrian Njau , Policy Advisor at the East African Business Council (EABC), challenged regional stakeholders to move from dialogue to decisive action:

“The private sector is ready to move. What we need is alignment. Harmonized frameworks will unlock regional scale for our financial innovators.”

His sentiments were strongly supported by Ms. Annette Mutaawe Ssemuwemba of the EAC Secretariat, who underscored the risks of a disjointed approach to regulation and innovation:

“We cannot afford fragmentation. Our economies are interlinked and so must our financial systems be.”

Delivering the official keynote to open the conference, Hon. Henry Musasizi, Uganda’s State Minister for Finance, Planning and Economic Development, emphasized that the stakes for the region are high:

“Innovate or be left behind. Digital finance is no longer a luxury it’s a necessity for competitiveness and inclusion.”

Together, these opening statements highlighted the urgency, opportunity, and collective resolve driving East Africa’s journey toward a more integrated, innovative, and inclusive digital financial future.

One of the moderated panel discussions on Day 1 was led by Mr. Andrew Muhwezi , Founder of Penda Penda. The session featured an insightful lineup of speakers: Mr. Nick Barigye from the Fintech Association of Rwanda, Ms. Zianah Nyiramanza Muddu from FITSPA Uganda, and Mr. Magoiga Mtatiro from Meet Pay Africa, TZ. Together, they explored the theme "Fintech as a Catalyst for Financial Inclusion in East Africa."

The panelists addressed key topics such as bridging the digital and financial literacy gap to encourage broader adoption, expanding access to financial services through mobile money and digital lending, and sharing insights from leading Fintech ecosystems in Nigeria, Rwanda, and Kenya. They also discussed the critical role of regulatory sandboxes in fostering Fintech innovation across the region.

While Day 1 laid the foundation for harmonization, innovation, and inclusion, Day 2 transitioned from conversation to commitment, with actionable outcomes and a strong emphasis on execution. The sessions were not just theoretical, they were grounded in real barriers and bold solutions.

We began Day 2 by revisiting the key takeaways from Day 1, before exploring the future of regional finance. Dr. Julius Kipngetich of JUBILEE HOLDINGS LIMITED urged us to rethink the role of insurance as a foundation for resilience and a driver of shared regional prosperity. Mr. Mark Nyerinde , Head of Product House at Equity Bank Limited , delivered an inspiring keynote on how East Africa’s fintech ecosystem can unlock cross-border trade and enhance productivity. A lively peer exchange followed, sparking candid conversations, practical insights, and collaborative problem-solving drawn from real experiences across the region. From advancing inclusive finance to shaping forward-thinking policy, this isn’t just a dialogue on regional integration but it’s a collective effort to make it a reality.

The last panel discussion of Day 2, skillfully moderated by Ms. Staicy Napio Wagala , brought together an esteemed panel of experts: Ms. Carol Kyazze Kakooza , CEO of aXiom Zorn ; Ms. Brenda Mpoora from Pearl Bank Uganda ; Ms. Mary Mwangi from the Association of Fintechs in Kenya; and Mr. Mwaka Ambrose from Ensibuuko .

This session focused on key themes surrounding financial inclusion, with a particular emphasis on reaching underserved populations and last-mile consumers. The panelists also explored existing regulatory challenges within the region and proposed practical, forward-looking solutions to bridge policy gaps and enable broader access to financial services. Their insights highlighted the importance of inclusive innovation and policy alignment in building a more equitable financial ecosystem across East Africa.

To conclude the Peer to Peer Conference, Mr. John Bosco Kanyangora delivered a powerful closing session that underscored the urgent need for regulatory harmonization and digital innovation to fully unlock East Africa’s FinTech potential. He highlighted how fragmented policies, siloed payment systems, and limited interoperability continue to impede cross-border trade and financial inclusion across the region.

Mr. Kanyangora called for bold, actionable steps, including accelerating regulatory sandboxes, harmonizing capital markets and digital payment frameworks, and strengthening public-private partnerships to build a truly integrated East African Community (EAC) financial ecosystem.

He emphasized FinTech’s transformative role in empowering micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), women, and rural populations, and advocated for strategic priorities such as AI adoption, cybersecurity collaboration, and a modernized EAC Monetary Union, one that could eventually include regional digital currencies.

His closing message resonated strongly: "Align, innovate, and act now."

Top Themes That Emerged

1. Digital Transformation of Financial Services Speakers spotlighted how digital tools from mobile banking to real-time payments are changing the financial landscape. ICT is no longer a support function; it’s a driver of financial growth and inclusion.

2. The Need for Harmonized Regulation Fragmented regulatory environments are holding back innovation. Participants discussed creating interoperable licensing systems, regulatory sandboxes, and shared supervisory protocols to support seamless cross-border services.

3. FinTech Ecosystem Enablement Tech entrepreneurs highlighted challenges such as limited access to capital, inconsistent digital infrastructure, and regulatory lag.

4. Financial Inclusion and Empowerment The broader goal of all digital innovation, several panelists emphasized, is inclusion bringing more citizens into formal financial systems.

“Let’s ensure our solutions serve the farmer in rural Burundi just as much as the trader in Nairobi,” said one participant.

The conference marked a pivotal moment for the East African Community (EAC) as it accelerates efforts to build a digitally enabled, integrated, and resilient financial sector. With participation from regulators, fintech innovators, ministries, financial institutions, development partners, and business membership organizations, the event delivered on its promise of collaboration, policy insight, and regional visioning.

The EU-EAC CORE Peer-to-Peer Learning Conference 2025 was more than a forum, it was a catalyst for change. Over two days of dynamic discussions, cross-sector collaboration, and practical insight-sharing, it became clear that the future of financial services in East Africa depends on a unified commitment to digital innovation, regulatory harmonization, and inclusive growth.

As the region moves forward, the conversations sparked in Kampala must now translate into tangible action. Stakeholders left not only with ideas but with renewed purpose to break down barriers, build bridges across institutions and borders, and ensure that no one is left behind in the digital financial revolution.

From advancing cross-border fintech solutions and empowering last-mile consumers, to modernizing regulations and preparing for the digital currency era, the momentum is here. It’s now up to all partners, governments, regulators, private sector leaders, and development actors to align, innovate, and act in pursuit of a shared regional vision.

The message from the conference is clear: East Africa’s integrated, inclusive, and future-ready financial system isn’t just possible, it’s already in motion.

One attendee put it best: "This isn’t just another event. This is where real collaboration begins."

We extend our heartfelt appreciation to the East African Community Secretariat, the EU Delegation through the EU-EAC CORE Programme, and all expert facilitators who shaped the powerful conversations at the 2nd Peer-to-Peer Conference on Financial Services.

Special thanks to Ms. Staicy Napio Wagala , Jimmy Byaruhanga and to the incredible organizing teams, the EAC Secretariat, and all partners whose tireless work brought this milestone event to life.

Entertainment break; traditional dance.