Money20/20 Middle East has launched its RiseUp programme in Riyadh, bringing its global initiative for women in fintech and financial services to the Middle East for the first time. The inaugural regional cohort brings together 30 senior women leaders during Money20/20 Middle East, taking place from 14 to 16 September 2026 at the Riyadh Exhibition & Convention Centre in Malham.
The programme is designed to provide participants with mentorship, networking and professional development opportunities, with a focus on supporting women advancing into leadership roles across the financial services and fintech sectors.
The Riyadh cohort includes senior professionals from organisations including Verto, Network Global, Visa, Sharaka Capital, Safqah, Samsung Electronics and TikTok. Over two days, participants will take part in sessions focused on leadership development, capability building and confidence, alongside wider themes shaping the financial sector, including artificial intelligence, digital financial inclusion and the future of payments.
According to figures released by Money20/20 in its announcement of the Riyadh launch, RiseUp was established in 2018 and has since supported more than 600 women worldwide. The organiser reports that over 70% of participants have moved into more senior roles and 85% said they felt better prepared for promotion. A further 95% said the RiseUp community helped them progress their careers, and 99% said they would recommend the programme to their peers. Alumni are drawn from institutions including Visa, Deutsche Bank, Adyen, Revolut, JPMorgan Chase, EY, Accenture and Standard Bank.
Scarlett Sieber, Chief Strategy & Growth Officer of Money20/20, said the launch in Saudi Arabia demonstrates what can be achieved when women have access to networks, visibility and support.
“Launching RiseUp in Saudi Arabia is more than a program milestone, it’s a powerful demonstration of what becomes possible when women are given real access, real visibility, and real support to lead,” Sieber said.
She added that the Middle East is undergoing significant transformation and that the programme is creating pathways for women who are building, scaling and shaping the future of finance in the region.
The Riyadh launch expands Money20/20’s global RiseUp initiative into the Middle East while connecting senior women professionals with an established international network. Money20/20 Middle East is scheduled to run from 14 to 16 September 2026 in Riyadh.
