More than 200 representatives of government agencies, central and national banks, international financial institutions, donor organizations, banks, microfinance institutions, fintech companies and businesses gathered in Dushanbe for the International Banking Forum 2026 to discuss the digital transformation of the financial sector in Tajikistan and Central Asia.
Held at the Hyatt Regency Dushanbe under the theme “The Financial Sector in the Age of Digital Innovation,” the forum focused on digital payments, financial infrastructure, fintech, e-commerce, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and cross-border financial cooperation.
The event brought together representatives of the central and national banks of Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, as well as international financial institutions, development partners and private-sector companies.
Regional payment integration
One of the main sessions, titled “Integration of the Payment Sector in Central Asia — Infrastructure and Business Solutions,” examined the development and interoperability of payment systems across the region.
Participants discussed financial infrastructure, regional cooperation and opportunities to expand cross-border payment services. Representatives of the Interbank Processing Centre of Kyrgyzstan also took part in the discussion.
Another plenary session, “Financial Services 2.0 — Modernizing Traditional Solutions with New Technologies,” focused on the transformation of traditional banking and financial products, fintech development and the adoption of new technologies by banks and microfinance institutions.
The session “New Business Models for Central Asia — Incentives for the Development of a Single Market” addressed the impact of digital technologies and artificial intelligence on business models, digital and payment services, workforce development and regional economic cooperation.
A separate national dialogue focused on the development of fintech and e-commerce in Tajikistan. Representatives of international organizations, financial institutions, technology companies and businesses discussed the country’s digital transformation priorities and prospects for regional cooperation.
The closing plenary, “The Future of Banks: Digital Ecosystems and Sustainable Development,” examined the digital transformation of banks, new financial services, digital ecosystems and sustainable business models.
Key outcomes
According to the Association of Financial Organizations of Tajikistan, one of the main outcomes of the forum was the formation of a common agenda for the digital transformation of Central Asia’s financial sector.
The discussions highlighted several areas requiring further cooperation, including payment-system integration, instant payments, Open Banking, digital financial services, fintech, e-commerce, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and cross-border interaction between financial institutions.
The forum also provided an opportunity for representatives of financial regulators, banks, microfinance institutions, fintech companies and international organizations to discuss practical approaches to improving financial infrastructure and cooperation across the region.
The organizers said the event helped bring together the financial and technology agendas, with digitalization viewed not only as an IT issue but as a tool for modernizing banking, payments, e-commerce and business models.
An exhibition and networking program allowed participants to present financial and technological solutions, establish business contacts and discuss potential projects.
The forum concluded with a resolution outlining areas for further professional cooperation.
International and institutional support
The International Banking Forum 2026 was organized with the support of the Government of Tajikistan, the National Bank of Tajikistan, the World Bank Group and IFC, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the Swiss Office for Economic Cooperation in Tajikistan (SECO), the Delegation of the European Union to Tajikistan, the Centre for International Private Enterprise (CIPE), the REMIT PRIME Central Asia–IFAD program, the Central Asian Fintech Association (CAFA) and Accelerate Prosperity Tajikistan.
The forum’s general sponsor was MPS Mastercard.
Gold sponsors included Bank Imon International and LOLS Moliya. Silver sponsors included Bank Eskhata, Spitamen Bank, Bank for Development of Tajikistan, FINCA, Babr Capital and Fintech Tajikistan.
Bronze sponsors included Bank Arvand, Freedom Bank Tajikistan, Alif Bank, Furuz, Pulsar, Zypl.ai, GNI Software, A1 Project, Imkoniyat and Sarvati Vakhsh.
The organizers said the forum provided Tajikistan with an opportunity to strengthen its role as a platform for regional financial and technological dialogue and allowed participants from across Central Asia to identify common priorities for cooperation.
The Association of Financial Organizations of Tajikistan said the next step would be to translate the forum’s discussions and agreements into joint initiatives, projects and mechanisms for cooperation among regulators, financial institutions, technology companies and international partners.
