JoPACC Participates in MENA ICT Forum 2024, Driving Fintech Innovation

On behalf of His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein, H.E Sami Smeirat, Minister of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship, inaugurated the 10th edition of the MENA ICT Forum.  As a key partner of the ICT Association of Jordan – int@j, and in line with its commitment towards the development of the fintech industry in Jordan and elevating innovation in the local ecosystem, The Jordan Payments and Clearing Company (JoPACC) participated as a sponsor to this event held on the 20th and 21st of November at the Dead Sea. 

During the forum, H.E. Ms. Maha Bahou, CEO of JoPACC, participated in a thought-provoking panel discussion with local and regional experts on corporate innovation through entrepreneurship in the MENA region. She emphasized the critical role of entrepreneurs and innovation in driving economic growth, particularly in a time of rapid technological advancements reshaping industries. One of the key points she discussed was the importance of collaboration between financial institutions and fintech startups; in today’s fast-evolving tech landscape, banks and large corporations must embrace innovation to stay competitive, which was one of the driving factors behind the foundation of JOIN Fincubator aiming to bridge the gap between financial institutions and the emerging entrepreneurial fintech ecosystem. Ms. Maha Bahou also highlighted the crucial role of central banks, and the Central Bank of Jordan in particular, in fostering and regulating innovation. 

Layanah Al-Wreikat , Director of Business Operations, Development, and JOIN Fincubator at JoPACC, moderated a dynamic panel discussion titled "Transforming Finance and Fostering Growth in the MENA Region." During the session, she engaged with key local and regional players from both the banking sector and the fintech ecosystem to explore the evolution of fintech over the past decade.

In addition to the JoPACC team’s active participation in the forum and their involvement in a range of insightful and impactful discussions, the MENA ICT Forum’s Startup Village served as a vibrant platform for several startups from JOIN Fincubator. These innovative companies had the unique opportunity to showcase their business ideas and Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) to a diverse audience of industry experts, key stakeholders, and potential investors. Among the highlights of the Startup Village was Credit Plus, a JOIN Fincubator incubatee, who won in the highly competitive startup pitching competition, where 70 startups from across the region participated. 

JoPACC’s sponsorship and active participation in the MENA ICT Forum 2024 reinforces its unwavering commitment to advancing Jordan's digital economy. By continuously supporting innovation and fostering collaboration between fintech startups and financial institutions, JoPACC plays a vital role in shaping a more inclusive, competitive, and sustainable financial ecosystem. Through initiatives like the JOIN Fincubator, JoPACC remains dedicated to driving the growth of the fintech industry, supporting entrepreneurs, and contributing to the ongoing transformation of the digital economy in Jordan and the wider MENA region.