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The Rise of Super Apps
The Super App & Other Trends panel on Day 1 of FIBE brought together fintech leaders Gabriella Kindert (CEO at Snappi) and Omar Saleh (Co-Founder & CEO at Khazna), with moderation by Georg Hauer, former N26 executive and digital banking expert. The conversation explored the rise of super apps, digital transformation in banking, and how local needs are fueling fintech innovation around the world.
One key takeaway: some of the biggest advances in financial services and digital financial services are coming from markets that are often overlooked. From Kenya’s M-Pesa to Asian digital ecosystems like Alipay and Kakao, it’s clear that innovation is thriving outside of traditional financial centers. The panel agreed that successful super apps typically share two key enablers: strong ties with governments and robust digital infrastructure.
fltr: Omar Saleh, Gabriella Kindert and Georg Hauer
Gabriella highlighted Greece, where distrust in traditional banks and the ongoing use of cash - despite a digitally savvy population - create strong demand for banking as a service (baas). Omar shared that in Egypt, with nearly 70% of the population unbanked and limited credit card penetration (below 10%), there’s huge potential for personalized, accessible digital financial services that promote financial inclusion.
While global super apps may face too many regulatory and user preference challenges, panelists agreed that national and regional models are more realistic. The European Union’s SEPA initiative, for instance, helps streamline cross-border payment systems, supporting regional innovation in digital payments. The panel cited Revolut as one example of how the future of fintech could play out in Europe.
Looking ahead, the continued digital transformation in banking, the integration of ai in fintech, and the strategic rise of super apps are expected to reshape the landscape of financial services. These trends point to a future where regional solutions, powered by local insight and supported by flexible regulation, will lead the way in driving fintech innovation forward.