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Editor’s note: Mobile money is reshaping financial services in the developing world, and Africa has become the epicenter of the movement. That’s why NextBillion is pleased to announce that we’ll be a media partner with Mondato Summit Africa, an mCommerce, mobile money and innovations conference taking place at Summer Place in Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa on June 17-18th. The Summit will be a high-level executive conference focusing on engaging stakeholders, responding to consumer needs and propelling partnerships and discussion.

Mobile Financial Services (MFS) in Africa have traditionally targeted unbanked or underbanked populations at the base of the pyramid. From P2P transfers and airtime top-ups to mobile bill payments, these products have aimed to create more affordable and convenient financial services for individuals that have mobile phones, but limited access to formal financial services.

While “first generation” mobile money services like airtime top-ups and P2P remittances are still strong and growing, we are also witnessing a new wave of MFS in many African countries. Increasingly, the middle class is expanding and with it, a strong demand for mobile payment and m-commerce applications from both merchants and consumers. On the other side of the value chain, service providers are eager to expand into new areas of MFS in order to create new revenue streams.

From mobile network operators (MNOs) and financial institutions, to third-party technology providers, MFS stakeholders in these economies must re-evaluate how they can adapt to these shifting trends and ensure that they stay relevant as the industry moves forward. As African markets become increasingly diverse, how can MFS offerings similarly diversify to succeed over the long run?

Mondato Summit Africa will bring together leaders from a cross section of major banks, MNOs, merchants, tech firms and public-sector institutions to discuss these major issues and trends. The event aims to harness the increasing innovation in Africa to advance the evolution and expansion of the African MFS space to benefit businesses and consumers alike. Some prominent organizations that have already confirmed their participation include the Grameen Bank, Standard Bank, the Competition Commission, Absa, Barclays, First Bank Nigeria, United Bank of Africa, Vodacom, Econet Wireless, Airtel Nigeria, Woolworths, McDonalds, Groupon, Nike and National Treasury of South Africa, among various others.

It will be a fairly intimate event, with about 150 C-level invitation-only VIPs and industry professionals, focusing on problem-solving and networking. The agenda will include themes ranging from the most disruptive innovations, the rising middle class and the role of mCommerce and social networks to mobile money, regulation and remittances. If these topics interest you, contact us!

Mondato is still accepting proposals from relevant attendees and speakers. If you’re interested in participating or speaking, don’t hesitate to contact me, Arielle Jaffe, at ajaffe@mondato.com.

For more information, feel free to visit the Mondato Summit Africa site. NextBillion will be arranging coverage from the event, so if you can’t make it in person, be sure to check back in June for a run-down of the discussions.

Arielle Jaffe manages the public relations and marketing at Mondato.