Payments Live Returns to Johannesburg for 2nd Edition

Why It Matters

The gathering provides a critical platform for shaping standards and partnerships that will drive Africa’s multi‑billion‑dollar payments expansion, influencing investors, regulators and technology providers alike.

Key Takeaways

• Payments Live returns to Johannesburg June 26, 2026.
• Event targets senior payments executives across Africa’s ecosystem.
• Africa cross‑border payments market projected $1 trillion by 2035.
• Speakers include JPMorgan, MTN, Nedbank, and fintech founders.
• Platform offers fintechs exposure to investors and regulators.

Pulse Analysis

The second edition of Payments Live, staged on 26 June 2026 at Investec in Sandton, signals a maturing African payments landscape. Organized by Eventhive, the conference gathers senior leaders from banks, fintechs, merchants and regulators to dissect a market that reached roughly $329 billion in 2025 and is on track for $1 trillion by 2035. By convening decision‑makers in a single venue, the event creates a rare networking hub where strategic partnerships can be forged, and where the continent’s payment‑infrastructure roadmap is debated.

Agenda topics reflect the sector’s rapid evolution: digital wallets, real‑time settlement, and the push for interoperability across fragmented national systems. Cross‑border transaction costs remain a barrier, prompting discussions on blockchain‑based solutions and emerging digital currencies that could lower friction. Embedded finance, where non‑bank players embed payment capabilities directly into their platforms, is gaining traction, while regulators grapple with balancing innovation against consumer protection. Speakers such as JPMorgan’s Sub‑Saharan Payments director and MTN’s fintech chief are expected to share concrete case studies that illustrate these dynamics.

For fintech entrepreneurs and investors, Payments Live offers a showcase to demonstrate technology to a curated audience of banks, policy makers and venture capitalists. The presence of compliance specialists underscores the growing importance of robust AML and KYC frameworks in securing cross‑border flows. As African economies digitize, firms that can navigate the regulatory maze and deliver seamless, low‑cost payment experiences will capture a disproportionate share of the projected trillion‑dollar market. The conference therefore acts as both a barometer and catalyst for the next wave of growth.