Payments Live returns to Johannesburg for its second edition, positioning the city as the hub for Africa’s fast‑moving payments landscape. The event, organised by Eventhive, is set for Friday, 26 June 2026 at Investec in Sandton and promises a packed agenda for senior executives, fintech innovators and regulators keen to shape the continent’s digital money future.
Eventhive – Africa’s leading B2B2C event‑service firm – has built a reputation for delivering sector‑specific gatherings across six major African cities. This year’s Payments Live forms part of the broader Africa Tech Series, a programme designed to accelerate knowledge‑sharing and collaboration among the decision‑makers who drive financial inclusion and commerce across borders.
The conference will dive deep into themes that dominate today’s payments conversation: digital wallets, interoperability standards, cross‑border settlement, embedded finance, central‑bank digital currencies and the evolving regulatory frameworks that underpin them. Attendees can expect live demos, panel debates and networking sessions that link solution providers directly with banks, merchants and policy influencers.
Why the timing matters – Africa’s cross‑border payments market was valued at roughly US$329 billion in 2025 and forecasts suggest it could eclipse US$1 trillion by 2035. Such growth fuels demand for interoperable infrastructure, robust fraud‑prevention tools and clear guidance from regulators. Payments Live aims to address these pressures by offering a strategic platform where ideas can be tested, partnerships forged and market trends dissected.
Payments Live: the essential platform for African payments leadership
The speaker line‑up reads like a who’s‑who of the continent’s payments ecosystem, blending global heavyweight expertise with home‑grown entrepreneurial vigor. Below is a snapshot of the confirmed participants:
| Speaker | Role | Organisation |
|---|---|---|
| Wayne Cook | Executive Director, Payments – Sub‑Saharan Africa | JPMorgan |
| Chipo Mushwana | Executive, Payments & Technology | Nedbank |
| Kagiso Mothibi | CEO, Fintech | MTN South Africa |
| Rashi Gupta | Group Chief Strategy Officer | Onafriq |
| Hamish Houston | Co‑founder | Enza |
| Nkahiseng Ralepeli | Co‑founder | IdeaToola |
| Drisha Kirkman | Head of Alliance Banking | Lesaka Technologies |
| Calvin Christopher | Partner, Regulatory & Compliance | Spencer West |
| Thanusha Govender | CEO | X‑Link |
| Wiza Jalakasi | Director, Country Growth – Sub‑Saharan Africa | Ebanx |
| Jonathan Allback | CEO | NjiaPay |
| Lesley Langton | Senior Legal & Regulatory Specialist | Ebanx |
| Julie Neogy | Co‑CEO | Expand in Africa |
| Alicia Kamfer | Senior Compliance Specialist | Masthead |
The table highlights the breadth of expertise on stage, from global banking giants to agile fintech start‑ups, underscoring Payments Live’s role as a meeting point for diverse perspectives.
Jamiu Ijaodola, CEO of Eventhive, summed up the event’s ambition: “We are delighted to return to Johannesburg this year. Payments Live provides an invaluable platform to address critical issues and unlock the immense potential within the African payments ecosystem.” His remarks echo a broader industry consensus that collaboration will be the catalyst for achieving the projected trillion‑dollar market size.
Beyond the keynote speeches, the programme includes breakout workshops on fraud mitigation, a showcase of emerging digital‑currency pilots and a regulatory round‑table where policymakers can field real‑world queries from operators. Such interactive formats are designed to move beyond theory, giving participants concrete tools to implement back home.
For companies looking to gain visibility, the event also offers exhibition space and sponsor packages. With an audience that includes senior bank executives, venture capitalists and technology providers, a booth at Payments Live can translate directly into pipeline opportunities and strategic alliances.
Key takeaway: Payments Live assembles the ecosystem’s most influential voices under one roof, creating a rare chance for cross‑sector dialogue that can accelerate interoperability and secure the continent’s digital‑payments future.
Eventhive’s broader mission—to energise Africa’s business landscape through face‑to‑face gatherings—extends across industries from oil & gas to agri‑business. Its portfolio of events in Johannesburg, Lagos, Nairobi and beyond demonstrates a commitment to fostering networks that drive growth and innovation.
Stakeholders interested in attending, speaking or partnering with Payments Live can find full details and registration information on the official site paymentslive.co.za. The countdown to 26 June 2026 has already begun, and the conversation about Africa’s payments destiny is set to heat up in Sandton.