Dubai has been chosen to host SIBOS in 2029, affirming its standing as a global nexus in financial services. The selection reflects growing confidence in its role as a strategic bridge in international banking, marking the beginning of SWIFT’s new hosting rotation featuring emerging financial hubs.
SWIFT—holder of SIBOS, an annual forum for payments, securities, cash management and trade—has scheduled the conference in Frankfurt, Miami, Singapore, and Paris, with Dubai confirmed for 2029. This shift inaugurates a four-year rotation that now includes key regions such as the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and Asia, signalling intent to broaden engagement beyond traditional centres.
This move underscores Dubai’s appeal, anchored in the growth of DIFC, which now hosts nearly 7,000 firms, including the region’s fintech core. SWIFT’s Rosemary Stone emphasised that expanding SIBOS to diverse locations will lend fresh perspectives vital amid accelerating technological shifts and growing fragmentation risks. SWIFT saw record traffic last year, and the conference consistently draws over 10,000 delegates.
UAE Banks Federation and supporting bodies—including DIFC, DWTC, DET and CBUAE—have been credited for bringing SIBOS back to the UAE after its inaugural MENA appearance in 2013. UBF chairman Abdulaziz Al‑Ghurair highlighted that hosting SIBOS 2029 recognises the UAE’s leadership in digital payments innovation and its dedication to payment security and efficiency under CBUAE guidance.
UBF director‑general Jamal Saleh noted that the federation’s National SWIFT User Group, launched in 2021, along with the region’s first SWIFT training centre, have built a strong skill base in payments protocols. He said the bid award demonstrates “global recognition of the UAE’s achievements in payments using advanced technologies under CBUAE’s guidance”.
DIFC’s rapid development since 2004 has turned Dubai into SWIFT’s “Gateway to Africa”, strategically connecting Europe, Asia and Africa. This position enhances Dubai’s role within SWIFT’s network of over 11,500 institutions across more than 200 countries.
Planners are expected to leverage SIBOS’s platform to demonstrate regional innovations, including national payment system strategies, fintech growth, and cyber‑security frameworks. The event offers a showcase for the UAE’s ambitions to expand financial inclusion, digital infrastructure, and regulatory maturity.
The SIBOS win also supports the federal strategy unveiled by the Central Bank in 2019 to enhance customer experience through secure, innovative payment mechanisms. Observers suggest the conference will spotlight initiatives such as real‑time payment, cross‑border settlement solutions, and cloud‑based financial services.
By setting 2029 in Dubai, SWIFT signals that emerging financial ecosystems are not only capable but essential hosts. The planned rotation to include regions beyond the traditional triad marks a pivot in SWIFT’s approach, prioritising breadth of perspective as the global banking system navigates fragmentation.
UBF and its partners have committed to delivering a polished event, guided by rising standards in event production and stakeholder integration. With backing from SWIFT, CBUAE and government tourism authorities, organisers expect delegates to gain both technical insights and policy‑driven dialogue on future‑proofing global finance.