A Special Gathering of Senior Leaders in Transaction Banking, Trade and Payments
Following a highly successful and well-received event in 2025, the BAFT Africa Forum returns to Nairobi on Wednesday, May 13.
Held in conjunction with GTR East Africa, this special forum brings together senior leaders from banks, corporates, small/medium enterprises (SMEs) and across the broader trade and payments ecosystem for focused dialogue on the trends, risks and opportunities shaping transaction banking, trade and payments, with particular emphasis on developments across the African markets.
Registration is free to attend the BAFT Africa Forum. Join industry peers for candid discussion, strategic insight and high-level networking in an intimate setting designed to foster meaningful exchange.
Through our partnership with GTR, attendees of the BAFT Africa Forum receive a special rate to attend GTR East Africa. Please see the registration page for more details.
13:00 - 14:00
14:00 - 14:30
Tod Burwell
President & CEO
BAFT
14:30 – 15:10
Speakers
Sailepu Montet
Chief Representative Officer and Country Manager (East Africa)
JP Morgan
15:10 - 15:50
Moderator:
David Smithson
Senior Vice President, FI Relationship Manager
Crown Agents Bank
Panelists:
Leslie Fatch
Head of Global Markets, Trade Finance & FI Coverage
FDH Bank Malawi
15:50 – 16:10
16:10 – 16:50
Africa’s trade finance gap is often framed as a shortage of capital — but what if the real constraint is a shortage of trust? This session explores whether digitisation can help close the gap by strengthening transparency and confidence across the trade ecosystem. From verified digital identities and tamper-proof documentation to real-time supply chain visibility and enhanced fraud prevention, we examine how technology may reduce risk perceptions and unlock greater participation in African trade finance.
Moderator
Jeremiah Mutune
Regional Lead, Trade and Working Capital Product Management
Absa
Panelists
Ahanna Anaba
Head of Sales – Digital Solutions & Partnerships
Finverity
Maria Barmaki
Director – Head of Sales, Eastern Europe and Africa, Cash-Clearing Services and Trade Finance, Societe Generale
16:50 – 17:30
17:30
Tod Burwell
President & CEO
BAFT
17:30 – 18:30
Registration for the BAFT Africa Forum is complimentary but you must still register to reserve your seat.
Registration for GTR East Africa is optional and separate from the BAFT Africa Forum. However, through our partnership, BAFT Africa Forum attendees
receive a special rate to attend GTR East Africa
• Non-financial corporates, including exporters, importers, manufacturers, distributors, traders, and producers of physical goods: Complimentary
Corporate Pass
• All other institutions not mentioned above, including banks, financiers, and consultants: 10% discount on the GTR registration rate.
Complete the form and select Bankers Association for Finance & Trade (BAFT) under the “Which event partner invited you?”
field, to receive your discount.
Tod Burwell is the President and Chief Executive Officer of BAFT. Prior to being promoted to CEO, he served as the Senior Vice President of Trade Products with oversight of all trade-related initiatives including the Global Trade Industry Council, Trade Committees, and other strategic initiatives of the organization. Mr. Burwell has over 25 years of trade, supply chain and cash management experience as a banking practitioner, as well as serving as a consultant to global corporations and suppliers of strategically integrated trade solutions. Prior to joining BAFT, Mr. Burwell was a Managing Director at JPMorgan Chase and held senior global management roles responsible for trade operations, launching the logistics business and managing global product sales for trade finance and logistics management.
An Exclusive Event for Senior-Level Transaction Banking, Trade and Payments Professionals
Join us for the BAFT Africa Forum in Nairobi, Kenya on Wednesday, May 13. This exclusive invite-only event, held in conjunction with GTR East Africa, will bring together senior-level transaction banking and industry professionals from across the region to discuss the latest trends and challenges in transaction banking, trade, and payments, with a special emphasis on the African market.
Who We Are
BAFT, the leading global financial services association for international transaction banking, helps bridge solutions across financial institutions, service providers and the regulatory community that promote sound financial practices enabling innovation, efficiency, and commercial growth. BAFT engages in a wide range of topics affecting transaction banking, including trade finance, payments, and compliance.
Platinum Sponsor – SOLD OUT (Swift, Visa)
o Network with top international transaction banking leaders in a smaller setting
o Opportunity to participate in the program planning and drive Forum content
o Speaking opportunity in the conference program
o Seven invitations to this invitation-only Forum
o One-page flyer for the registration table
o Logo on conference website, conference marketing, and sponsor thank you slide
o Pre- and post-conference attendee list (name, title, email)
Gold Sponsor – $7,500 (USD) – One Available (Societe Generale)
o Network with top international transaction banking leaders in a smaller setting
o Speaking opportunity in the conference program
o Five invitations to this invitation-only Forum
o One-page flyer for the registration table
o Logo on conference website, conference marketing, and sponsor thank you slide
o Pre- and post-conference attendee list (name, title, email)
Networking Lunch and Evening Reception Sponsor – $6,000 (USD)
o Recognition as Networking Lunch and Evening Reception sponsor
o Network with top international transaction banking leaders in a smaller setting
o Five invitations to this invitation-only Forum
o One-page flyer for the registration table
o Logo on conference website, conference marketing, and sponsor thank you slide
o Pre- and post-conference attendee list (name, title, email)
Networking Break Sponsor – $3,500 (USD)
o Recognition as Networking Break sponsor
o Network with top international transaction banking leaders in a smaller setting
o Three invitations to this invitation-only Forum
o One-page flyer for the registration table
o Logo on conference website, conference marketing, and sponsor thank you slide
o Pre- and post-conference attendee list (name, title, email)
Supporting Sponsor – $2,500 (USD) – (Three Available)
o Network with top international transaction banking leaders in a smaller setting
o Three invitations to this invitation only Forum
o One-page flyer for the registration table
o Logo on conference website, conference marketing, and sponsor thank you slide
o Pre- and post-conference attendee list (name, title, email)
For additional information:
Matt Kaitz, BAFT | (703) 200-9071 | [email protected] | www.baft.org
The 2026 BAFT Africa Forum is co-located with GTR East Africa 2026 Nairobi. The BAFT Africa Forum immediately follows the networking lunch on May 13 (day 2 of GTR East Africa).
JW Marriott Hotel Nairobi (Grand Ballroom)
JW Marriott Hotel Nairobi (Grand Ballroom)
PRH5+VMC, Chiromo Ln
Nairobi, Kenya
+254 719-010 888