As the year comes to a close, I find myself reminiscing about one of its highlights — the ILP Summit. This year’s summit holds a special place in my heart, as it is my first summit after my ambassadorship. It's been an incredible experience watching the summit evolve over the years, and I'm thrilled to share my reflections.
A journey through three Summits
Having had the privilege of attending all three ILP Summits, I’ve witnessed firsthand how the event has grown and transformed:
1. Summit 2022: The Inception of Ideas
The first summit in New Orleans was a celebration of innovative ideas surrounding the Interledger Protocol. Projects like Dassie and Rafiki were introduced, sparking discussions and ideation. It was thrilling to see the seeds of innovation being planted.
2. Summit 2023: From Ideas to Proof of Concepts
The second summit in Costa Rica showcased an evolution—ideas turning into proofs of concept. It was fascinating to watch attendees build prototypes and exchange POC payments. The energy was palpable, as organizations brought their visions closer to reality.
3. This Year: Real Products and Compliance
Fast forward to this year, and the summit has matured into a space where fully-fledged projects send real money and address compliance. It’s incredible to see the progress—from brainstorming to beta-testing to production-ready solutions.
Highlights from the 2024 Summit
One consistent challenge across all the ILP Summits has been deciding which room to attend when fascinating, relevant talks are happening simultaneously. It’s a bittersweet dilemma, but it reflects the richness of the summit’s offerings.
Mainstage Highlights: Talks That Defined the Summit
This year’s mainstage was a powerhouse of ideas, featuring diverse perspectives and groundbreaking discussions. Here are some sessions that stood out to me:
- African Parliamentarian Perspectives: An insightful panel exploring how legislative frameworks can catalyze financial inclusion across Africa.
- The History & Future of Digital Financial Inclusion: Kosta Peric delivered an unforgettable talk, starting with the example of a chappal (Hindi for slipper) to demonstrate how informal methods still dominate money transfers globally. It was a powerful reminder of the work needed to modernize financial systems.
- Open Payments in Africa’s Regulatory Ecosystem: A thorough examination of regulatory strategies essential for fostering growth and trust in open payments across Africa.
- Bridging Communities with Rafiki: Though I missed this session while attending another, I made sure to catch the recording back at my hotel. It was an eye-opening panel showcasing Rafiki’s transformative potential in cross-border remittances and community building.
Talks & Demos Room: A Hub of Innovation
I spent a significant portion of the summit in the Talks & Demos room, affectionately dubbed the “best room of the conference” by @ioana . This space was a wellspring of inspiration, brimming with ideas and practical advancements:
- GateHub’s Rafiki Demo: A seamless, production-ready implementation that sets the standard for innovation.
- Chimoney’s Mobile App: An impressive milestone showcasing the potential of mobile-first payment solutions.
- Web Monetization: A promising beta feature aimed at revolutionizing content consumption and creator compensation on the web.
- TigerBeetle: A visionary session exploring the scalability of data in payment systems. Joran’s use of India’s UPI as a real-world example to highlight the exponential growth in transaction processing was particularly engaging.
These talks only scratch the surface of what was shared, but they reflect the profound depth and diversity of ideas exchanged at this year’s summit. Both the mainstage and the Talks & Demos room delivered a blend of visionary insights and tangible solutions, making the event an exceptional experience for all who attended.
The Local Community’s Involvement
One of the most heartening aspects of this year’s summit was the Foundation’s effort to incorporate the local community. Last year’s feedback about this was taken to heart, resulting in an inclusive event featuring participants like Fynbos, TigerBeetle, Snake Nation, UCT students, and many others. Their involvement added depth and diversity to the conversations.
A Place for Connection
ILP Summits have always been more than just a gathering—they’re a space for connection and collaboration. Over the years, my relationships within this community have grown stronger. It’s a privilege to be surrounded by like-minded individuals who share a passion for innovation and progress.
Even though I missed the hackathon this year, the updates on Twitter kept me engaged, and I felt like a part of the action. Congratulations to all the winners for their exceptional projects!
Closing Thoughts
From its early days of ideation to the launch of impactful projects, the ILP Summit has been a remarkable journey of growth and evolution. The Foundation’s commitment to addressing feedback and fostering inclusivity continues to make these gatherings special.
A heartfelt thank you to @chrislarry and team for giving me the opportunity to be part of this year’s summit and for supporting me throughout my ambassadorship. Here’s to more success stories and milestones in the years to come!
What was your Summit highlight this year?
I’d love to hear your favorite memories from this year’s summit. Let’s celebrate the strides we’ve made together!
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