Heading to the Inclusive FinTech Forum in Kigali? Master the art of networking with our expert guide.
If you are reading this, you probably already know that Kigali is no longer just the capital of Rwanda; it is rapidly becoming the
Davos of Africa for financial technology. With the K
igali International Financial Centre (KIFC) spearheading regulatory innovation and the Inclusive FinTech Forum (IFF) serving as its flagship gathering, the city has transformed into a high-stakes playground for global investors, regulators, and tech innovators.
But here is the reality: attending a conference of this magnitude—often hosted in partnership with global heavyweights like Elevandi (a subsidiary of the Monetary Authority of Singapore)—can be overwhelming. You aren't just there to swap business cards; you are there to secure funding, influence policy, or find the partner who will help you scale across the continent.
To succeed, you need more than a smile and a pitch deck. You need a strategy.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through exactly how to navigate the upcoming Inclusive FinTech Forum in Kigali. From understanding the unique cultural nuances of doing business in Rwanda to identifying the best after-hours spots for closing deals, this is your blueprint for success.
1. Understanding the Landscape: Why Kigali? Why Now?
Before you step onto the floor of the Kigali Convention Centre, you must understand the context of this event. The Inclusive FinTech Forum isn't just another tech meetup; it is a policy-heavy, impact-driven gathering designed to bridge the gap between financial inclusion and profit.
The KIFC Factor
The backdrop of this event is the Kigali International Financial Centre (KIFC). Unlike other financial hubs that focus purely on tax incentives, KIFC is positioning itself as the home of compliant, sustainable capital in Africa.
What this means for your networking: If you are speaking to investors or regulators, show that you understand the KIFC ecosystem. Mention your interest in cross-border payments or regulatory sandboxes. It signals that you are a serious player who has done their homework.
Trending Keyword Integration: By aligning your conversations with African Fintech regulations and the KIFC mandate, you position yourself as an insider.
The "Inclusion" Imperative
The word "Inclusive" in the forum title isn't marketing fluff. The core mission is to leverage technology to bring the underbanked into the formal economy.
Strategy: When networking, frame your product or service not just in terms of ROI (Return on Investment), but in terms of impact. How does your solution help a farmer in rural Kenya or a market vendor in Lagos?
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2. Pre-Event Preparation: Winning Before You Arrive
The amateur networker waits until they get their badge to start looking for people. The pro has their schedule booked two weeks in advance.
The Digital Reconnaissance
Most major conferences, including the IFF, utilize an event app (often powered by platforms like Brella or similar tech).
Download Early: Get the app the second it launches.
Filter Ruthlessly: Filter attendees by "Investor," "Policy Maker," or "Media."
The "Warm" LinkedIn Connect: Do not send a generic "Hi" on LinkedIn.
Bad: "Hi, I see you're going to Kigali. Let's connect."
Good: "Hi [Name], I saw you're speaking on the Digital Public Infrastructure panel at the Inclusive FinTech Forum. Your recent point about interoperability in West Africa really resonated with me. I’d love to briefly say hello in Kigali."
Master Your "One-Liner" for Different Audiences
You will meet three distinct types of people at IFF. You need a different elevator pitch for each.
The Regulator (The Gatekeeper):
Focus: Compliance, stability, consumer protection.
Script: "We build RegTech solutions that help banks stay compliant with the new data protection laws while lowering onboarding costs."
The Investor (The Fuel):
Focus: Scale, exit strategy, unit economics.
Script: "We are capturing the micro-insurance market in East Africa, growing 20% MoM with a CAC of under $2."
The Peer/Partner (The Ally):
Focus: API integration, synergy, shared struggles.
Script: "We handle the last-mile delivery for payments. I think our API could plug directly into your wallet to reduce your churn."
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3. Navigating the Floor: Tactics for the Kigali Convention Centre
The Kigali Convention Centre (KCC) is an iconic venue (the famous dome that lights up the night sky). However, it is large, and you can easily waste time wandering the expo hall.
The "Hallway Track" Strategy
The best conversations rarely happen during the keynote speeches. They happen in the hallways, the coffee lines, and the charging stations.
Skip the mid-tier panels: If a panel is generic, skip it. Stand near the coffee station outside the main hall. This is where the VIPs go when they need a break.
The "Question" Hack: If you do sit in a session, be the first to ask a question.
Technique: Stand up, state your name and company clearly ("Hi, I'm John from PayFast, we specialize in cross-border payments..."), and ask a sharp, brief question.
Result: You have just advertised yourself to the entire room. People will approach you afterwards.
Handling Business Cards in 2026
While digital QR codes are common, physical business cards are still very much respected in Rwandan business culture (more on culture later).
Tip: Have a premium physical card, but also have a digital card ready on your phone (like Blinq or HiHello) for the tech-savvy crowd.
The "Note" Trick: When someone hands you a card, immediately write a note on the back of it (e.g., "Interested in API integration" or "Intro to Sarah"). Do this in front of them—it shows you value the connection.
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4. Cultural Nuance: The Rwandan Way of Business
This is where most foreigners fail. Rwanda has a unique business culture that is distinct from Nairobi, Lagos, or Johannesburg. It is quieter, more polite, and extremely relationship-based.
The Art of the Handshake
In Rwanda, greetings are crucial. You do not rush into business.
The Handshake: It is often a soft handshake, and you may notice people holding their right forearm with their left hand as they shake yours. This is a sign of deep respect. Mimicking this (lightly touching your own elbow/forearm) will earn you immense points with local officials.
Eye Contact: Direct eye contact is good, but intense, unbreaking staring can be seen as aggressive. Keep it friendly but soft.
Time and Punctuality
Rwanda is often called the "Switzerland of Africa" for its cleanliness and order, but time can still be fluid socially. However, government officials and formal conference sessions start exactly on time.
Rule: If you are meeting a government official or a banker at the KIFC stand, be five minutes early. If you are meeting a startup founder for a drink later, a 10-15 minute grace period is normal.
Topics to Avoid
Rwanda has a tragic history, but it is a nation focused on the future.
Do: Talk about the cleanliness of the city, the speed of development, the digital economy, and the beauty of the hills.
Don't: Bring up sensitive political history or ethnic divisions unless your host initiates it (which they likely won't in a business setting). Keep it professional and future-focused.
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5. The "Inclusion" Pitch: How to Frame Your Value
Because this is the Inclusive FinTech Forum, the trending keywords you use matter. You cannot just talk about "disruption." You must talk about "enablement."
Trending Keywords to Integrate
When you are speaking, sprinkle these terms naturally into your dialogue. They are the currency of the conference:
Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI): This is huge right now. It refers to identity, payments, and data exchange systems (like India’s UPI).
Embedded Finance: Non-financial companies offering financial services.
Climate Tech / Green Finance: Rwanda is big on green energy. If your fintech has a sustainability angle, shout it from the rooftops.
Interoperability: The ability for different payment systems to talk to each other.
The "Impact" Pivot
If you are a pure-play commercial startup, you might feel out of place. You aren't.
The Pivot: "We are a commercial lending platform, but by using AI-driven credit scoring, we can lend to SMEs that traditional banks ignore."
Why it works: You just turned a profit story into an inclusion story.
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6. After Hours: Where the Real Deals Are Made
The conference hall is for introductions; restaurants and bars are for closing deals. Kigali has a vibrant, albeit relaxed, nightlife scene.
Top Spots for Business Dinners
If you want to impress a potential investor, do not just take them to the hotel buffet.
Heaven Restaurant: Famous for its views and "Modern Rwandan" cuisine. It is quiet enough for conversation but upscale enough to impress.
Brachetto: High-end Italian. This is where you will find many diplomats and senior bank officials dining.
The Hut: Great international food, slightly more casual, but very popular with the expat and NGO crowd.
Top Spots for Casual Networking
Pili Pili: A bit further out, but it’s a massive complex with a pool, multiple bars, and a great view. It’s where the "cool" fintech crowd hangs out.
Repub Lounge: Great local food (try the brochettes and mishkaki) and live music. excellent for a loosened-tie atmosphere.
Kivu Noir: For coffee meetings during the day. They have some of the best coffee in the world, and the internet is fast.
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7. The Follow-Up: Don't Let the Lead Go Cold
You survived the conference. You have a stack of cards and a phone full of WhatsApp numbers. Now what?
The 24-Hour Rule
Send a LinkedIn connection request or an email within 24 hours while your face is still fresh in their memory.
The "Value-Add" Email
Do not just ask for a meeting. Give them something.
Template:
"Hi [Name],
Great meeting you at the Inclusive FinTech Forum yesterday. I really enjoyed our chat about blockchain applications in supply chains.
I found that report I mentioned regarding the new Central Bank regulations—attached here.
I’d love to continue our conversation next week. Are you free Tuesday at 2 PM?"
WhatsApp Etiquette
In Africa, business happens on WhatsApp. If someone gives you their WhatsApp number, it is an invitation to use it—but use it wisely.
Rule: First message should be formal. "Hi, this is [Name] from the conference." Once they reply, you can match their tone.
Don't: Send memes or "Good Morning" broadcast messages. Keep it strictly business unless a friendship develops.
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Conclusion: Seize the Moment in the Land of a Thousand Hills
The Inclusive FinTech Forum in Kigali is more than just a calendar invite. It is a convergence of the brightest minds in African Fintech, all gathered in one of the continent's most forward-thinking cities.
By preparing thoroughly, respecting the local culture, understanding the "inclusion" mandate, and knowing where to unwind, you will position yourself not just as an attendee, but as a leader in the space.
The opportunities in Kigali are as vast as the views from the Convention Centre. Go out there, shake hands (respectfully), and build the future of finance.
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