Visa Joins Fintech Forward 2026 as a Diamond Sponsor

Visa, a global leader in digital payments, has joined Fintech Forward 2026 (FF26) as a Diamond Sponsor. Hosted by the Bahrain Economic Development Board (Bahrain EDB) and supported by the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB), The Labour Fund (Tamkeen), Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA), and Bahrain Fintech Bay, the event will return for its fourth edition on 7-8 October 2026 at Exhibition World Bahrain. Programmed by Forbes Middle East, Fintech Forward brings together global fintech innovators, financial leaders, policymakers, and technology experts to explore the trends shaping the future of financial services.

Building on its past participation, Visa will join leading financial institutions, fintech companies, policymakers, and stakeholders from across the global fintech ecosystem to discuss the developments shaping the future of finance under this year’s theme, “Finance in the Age of Intelligent Infrastructure”. Visa will also have a dedicated lounge at the event to engage and connect with attendees.

Visa’s return as a Diamond Sponsor reflects its continued engagement with Bahrain’s growing fintech ecosystem and its commitment to accelerating innovation across the wider financial services sector. Commenting on the sponsorship, Ahmed Elkaffass, Visa’s Country Manager for Bahrain, said: “We are pleased to return to Fintech Forward for its fourth edition, continuing our partnership with one of the region’s leading platforms for fintech dialogue and collaboration. By bringing together diverse perspectives and experiences from around the world, the forum encourages the exchange of ideas that can help shape more innovative financial services.”

A longstanding contributor to the evolution of digital payments across the region, Visa continues to support the shift towards more seamless and digitally enabled payment experiences. The company is also advancing capabilities across areas including agentic commerce, stablecoins, and tokenisation, reflecting the growing role of emerging technologies in shaping both customer experiences and the infrastructure that underpins the movement of money. 

As financial services continue to evolve, Bahrain remains at the forefront of efforts to enable innovation and industry growth. Backed by a progressive regulatory framework, advanced digital capabilities, and a future-ready workforce, Bahrain continues to strengthen its position as a regional hub for financial services innovation.