Empowering early-stage FinTech startups to connect, innovate, pitch, and scale at the Jordan FinTech Festival 2026.
Driving the Future of Financial Technology Across the Arab World
The region's flagship FinTech accelerator
The Arab FinTech Challenge is GIE’s flagship regional program dedicated to sourcing, nurturing, and accelerating early-stage startups with innovative solutions in financial technology.Across the Middle East, Arab FinTech Challenge has established a proven track record of bringing together visionaries, corporate financial institutions, central banks, investors, and regulators — increasing technical know-how, bridging the gap between bold ideas and market execution, and championing financial inclusion across all Arab nations.
OUR VISION & MISSION
Our Vision
To be the leading catalyst for financial technology innovation across the Arab world, building an integrated, inclusive, and future-ready digital financial ecosystem that elevates regional startups to global leadership.
Our Mission
To empower early-stage FinTech entrepreneurs and active university projects by providing direct access to mentorship, regulatory insight, corporate banking networks, and investment capital — accelerating solutions that transform banking and financial services for all.
Four editions of regional impact
Over four editions, AFTC has built deep operational know-how in discovering and accelerating top-tier regional talent — in strategic partnership with industry powerhouses that have helped transform ideas into thriving regional businesses.
FinTech EgyptCentral Bank of EgyptUniversity of DubaiQatar UniversityINT@J
2026 COMPETITION FOCUS & TRACKS
Dedicated to early-stage startups & active university projects.
Eight tracks covering the full spectrum of financial innovation.
01
Payment & Transfers
Next-gen cross-border payments, gateways, and remittance tools.
02
RegTech & Compliance
Automated KYC/AML, fraud detection, and regulatory reporting.
03
Digital Banks & Neobanks
Customer-centric digital banking platforms and financial management.
04
Lending & Marketplaces
Micro-lending, P2P financing, and alternative credit scoring.
05
Payment Investing & Trading
WealthTech, micro-investing, and automated portfolio management.
06
Insurance & InsurTech
Digital claims, micro-insurance, and risk assessments.
07
Services for SMEs
B2B financial tools, invoicing, cash flow management, and accounting integration.
08
Personal Finance
Financial literacy, budgeting apps, and personal saving solutions.
Five milestones on the road to Amman.
Registration Opens
Applications open for early-stage FinTech startups & university teams.
Registration Closes
Final deadline to submit applications.
Top Teams Announced
Selected finalists for the competition stage are announced.
Online Prep Session
Mentorship & pitch coaching for the top 10 finalists.
Jordan FinTech Festival
Live exhibition, pitch competition, and judging at the Dead Sea, Amman.
PARTNERS & NETWORK
Built with the region's FinTech leaders.
Every track, milestone, and mentor session is backed by an organization already shaping the region’s financial future.
ORGANIZED & MANAGED BY
GIE — Global Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Spearheads program execution, startup sourcing, and regional competition screening, leveraging operational expertise built over four successful FinTech editions across the Arab region.
POWERED BY
FinTech Egypt
Drives ecosystem scale, strategic visibility, and regional network access, empowering early-stage founders with key industry support under the Central Bank of Egypt’s FinTech initiative.
HOST PLATFORM
Jordan FinTech Festival 2026
Hosts the live qualifier rounds under a confirmed Innovation Partnership, giving finalists a flagship regional stage at the Dead Sea.