Debuting the Middle East’s first edition of Money20/20’s celebrated initiative for women in fintech
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA, September 14, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – 13 Sept, 2026: Money20/20 Middle East, scheduled for 14–16 September 2026 at the Riyadh Exhibition & Convention Centre (RECC) in Malham, will debut RiseUp in the region for the first time, extending Money20/20’s globally recognised programme dedicated to women in fintech and financial services. This introduction arrives as Saudi Arabia accelerates its digital evolution and cements its standing as a worldwide centre for financial innovation, convening leaders, innovators, regulators, and investors who are moulding the sector’s future.
The introduction of RiseUp at Money20/20 Middle East signifies a pivotal achievement for Money20/20’s global initiative focused on advancing women in fintech and financial services. This first regional cohort brings RiseUp’s core principles of access, visibility, and opportunity to Saudi Arabia, enabling senior women executives in one of the globe’s fastest-expanding innovation markets.
Since its inception in 2018, RiseUp has aided over 600 women worldwide, with 85% feeling more ready for advancement, more than 70% progressing into higher-level positions, 95% noting that the RiseUp network aided their career growth, and a standout 99% endorsing the programme to their colleagues. RiseUp alumni come from global firms such as Visa, Deutsche Bank, Adyen, Revolut, Uber, JPMorgan Chase, EY, Accenture, Booking.com, Standard Bank, and others, building one of the most impactful women-in-fintech networks internationally.
This debut Middle East edition of RiseUp will welcome 30 senior women executives into its regional cohort. Participants represent top organisations including Verto, Network Global, Visa, Sharaka Capital, Safqah, Samsung Electronics, TikTok, and more.
“Introducing RiseUp in Saudi Arabia is more than a programme milestone, it’s a strong testament to what can be achieved when women are granted genuine access, true visibility, and real support to lead,” said Scarlett Sieber, Chief Strategy & Growth Officer of Money20/20. “The Middle East ranks among the world’s most dynamic innovation markets, with energy that is transforming the global fintech scene. This region is experiencing remarkable change, and we’re building avenues for women who are creating, expanding, and reinventing the future of finance to boost their influence in this vibrant ecosystem. I’m excited to meet these remarkable women face-to-face in Riyadh.”
“Money20/20 Middle East is designed to offer a platform that mirrors both the magnitude of transformation across the region’s financial landscape and the individuals driving that change. Introducing RiseUp as part of this year’s event gives us a key chance to acknowledge and bolster the contributions of women already influencing finance across Saudi Arabia and the broader region. By linking this cohort with a global network of leaders, investors, and innovators, we aim to forge connections and prospects that reach far beyond the three-day conference,” said Annabelle Mander, Executive Vice President, Tahaluf.
RiseUp closely corresponds with the core themes of Money20/20 Middle East 2026, such as digital financial inclusion, AI-powered change, cross-border cooperation, and the evolution of payments, ensuring participants engage with the most critical discussions influencing finance’s future.
As part of Money20/20 Middle East, RiseUp will deliver a tailored agenda of sessions in Riyadh, designed around the distinct opportunities and obstacles facing women in the region. This initiative extends beyond curated discussions or networking; it centres on transformation, self-assurance, skill development, and securing a place at the decision-making table.
Over two days, the cohort will join a worldwide community of women leaders across continents who are redefining norms, challenging established practices, and demonstrating that when women advance, entire sectors advance alongside them.
Programme Highlights
• Women Who Are Driving AI Innovation in the Middle East: A discussion featuring women shaping the region’s AI landscape and spearheading technological progress.
• The Compass Within: Women Driven Leadership for the Middle East: Facilitated by Mary Ann Francis, Executive Consultant, Global Payments & Strategic Initiatives. This session unites inspiring women leaders who are redefining leadership on their own terms, managing cultural expectations, carving new directions, and leading with sincerity and purpose.
• Empowered by Design: Women Leading the Fintech Revolution: Facilitated by Joy Adams, COO, Digital Assets, Deutsche Bank and RiseUp alumna. This session showcases real-world stories of impact: women attaining financial independence, entrepreneurs securing funding, and communities uplifted through digital financial inclusion. This goes beyond technology; it concerns dignity, opportunity, and the transformative power of financial access.
As part of the RiseUp agenda at Money20/20 Middle East, Haifa Al Obaid, Senior Expert at the Saudi Industrial Development Fund (SIDF), will participate in the session ‘The Compass Within: Women-Driven Leadership for the Middle East,’ contributing a vital regional viewpoint to the dialogue.
Haifa Al Obaid, Senior Expert, Credit Relationship Department, SIDF, “Saudi women are receiving robust backing from the government, with ongoing commitment from HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, which has broadened leadership and career prospects across various sectors. The primary hurdle is organisational consistency: if workplace leadership fails to prioritise women’s advancement, women might not obtain the resources and support necessary to thrive. RiseUp presents a fantastic chance to engage with top women leaders both locally and internationally. It underscores why increasing the representation and visibility of women leaders is so crucial.”
The debut of RiseUp at Money20/20 Middle East marks the initial phase of a sustained regional approach. As Riyadh continues to rise as a hub for global fintech collaboration, Money20/20 intends to expand RiseUp across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), strengthen alliances with regional entities, and cultivate a cadre of women leaders defining fintech’s future.
Susan Elmesslamy, Founder of ZTS, RiseUp Asia Alumni 2024, and workshop leader at RiseUp Middle East 2026, offers her perspective on the programme’s growth: “RiseUp didn’t just broaden my network, it instilled a confidence that altered how I present myself in my career. The RiseUp Network acts as a fallback family—you know they’re there when you need them, and that support is invaluable. Bringing RiseUp to the Middle East will be transformative, not only for the women involved, but for how the world perceives this region. It boosts visibility and fosters collaboration on an unprecedented scale.”
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About Money20/20
Founded by industry veterans in 2012, Money20/20 has swiftly become the core of the worldwide fintech ecosystem. Over the past decade, the most pioneering and agile ideas and companies have accelerated their growth on our platform. Mastercard, Airwallex, J.P. Morgan, SHIELD, GCash, Stripe, Google, Visa, Adyen, and others forge groundbreaking deals and elevate their global presence with us. Money20/20 draws leaders from the world’s foremost banks, payments firms, VC funds, regulators, and media outlets—gathering to close industry-shaping agreements, build transformative alliances, and unlock future-defining opportunities in Riyadh (September 14–16, 2026), Las Vegas (October 18–21, 2026), Amsterdam (June 8–10, 2027), Miami (March 16-18, 2027), Bangkok (April 27–29, 2027) and Melbourne (February 15 – 17, 2028). Money20/20 is where global fintech leaders convene to advance their brands. Money20/20 is part of Informa PLC. Follow[LT1.1] Money20/20 on X and LinkedIn for show developments and updates.
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