We’re thrilled to announce we’re partnering up with Mobile Ecosystem Forum for the fourth year in a row, bringing the Leadership Forum APAC to the offices of Sam Media in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in January 2026. The Sam Media offices are located at Menara Ilham Suite 02, Level 11, No. 8, Jalan Binjai, 50450.
MEF Meet-Up 2026
MEF Leadership Forum APAC
January 22nd is going to be the date the MEF Leadership Forum APAC will be held in the Sam Media offices, this event focusses on uniting stakeholders from the Mobile Content and Payments industries active in South East Asia, with a goal to provoke extensive discussions on relevant issues within the industry. Be prepared for series of engaging discussions full of content curated by MEF.
Join us on a full day of exciting insights, discussions and strategies at MEF’s Leadership Forum APAC in Kuala Lumpur. This is what MEF has in store for you on January 22nd:
The MEF Leadership Forum APAC - Agenda
Kicking this day off with registration and some networking.
A brief introduction to start off the MEF Leadership Forum APAC.
We kick off with highlights of what’s happening on the DCB, mobile commerce and digital services fronts – both in Asia and globally. This presentation will delve into interesting market trends; some of the challenges and opportunities ahead for market players; and examples of deployments, partnerships and outcomes.
A closed-door huddle of industry power players. C-suite leaders from mobile VAS, payments, and commerce come together to discuss the future. In a market where disruption is constant and collaboration feels optional, these executives will ditch the corporate playbook to speak candidly about what’s really happening behind the scenes: where growth is stalling, where the money is moving, and which bold bets might redraw the industry map. Expect strong opinions, uncomfortable truths, and a rare glimpse into the real decisions driving tomorrow’s digital economy.
Malaysia Digital is accelerating the nation’s evolution into a trusted and innovation-driven digital commerce hub. In this keynote, how Malaysia is strengthening its digital infrastructure, advancing AI and data-driven services, and enabling secure, interoperable ecosystems for payments, content, and network innovation. The session highlights how trust, intelligence, and public–private collaboration are shaping Malaysia’s role as a regional leader in digital commerce and powering new opportunities across APAC.
A short scheduled break.
Southeast Asia has become one of the world’s hot spots for mobile wallets, super apps, and other means of alternative payments. In this increasingly diverse and competitive landscape, this panel will try to answer the following quesions: What role is there for DCB? Does it remain relevant? What’s best for digital merchants? And for consumers? What role should telcos play?
This session will delve into how AI should be applied to deliver better services and better customer care in the mobile VAS space. The session would try to answer the following questions: What AI tools are providers tapping into? How much needs to be built in house; how much can be bought off the peg? In what areas is it being applied (e.g., personalised offers, payment flows, content journeys, self care, anti-fraud) and how much smarter can it make things?
Networking lunchbreak.
This session explores how RCS, CPaaS platforms, and verified identity are reshaping customer engagement and enabling commerce directly within the messaging experience. The panel will examine real deployments, enterprise adoption trends, anti-fraud benefits, and the shift from basic A2P messaging to rich, interactive, and trusted communication flows. Attendees will gain insight into how messaging is evolving into a secure commercial interaction layer for Asia-Pacific.
This session will tackle the topic of what role mobile VAS and OTT content plays in telcos’ overall strategy. What do telcos need content for? How does it fit with their core business? How vital is it in addressing their biggest challenges? We will also try to answer in which ways telcos are looking to connect with content providers. Is it via strategic partnerships, or via aggregators? Does mobile VAS still have a role, or are partnerships with the big OTTs what it’s all about now?
Our final network break of the day.
This session brings together regional mobile operators and financial institutions to discuss how Open Gateway network APIs are shifting from pilots to real commercial value. The panel will explore how APIs such as Number Verification and SIM Swap are enhancing security, reducing fraud, and improving onboarding for banks and fintechs. Speakers will examine ecosystem readiness, revenue models, and what it takes to scale API adoption into a meaningful P&L growth driver.
This session examines how industry-led self-regulation frameworks are strengthening trust and sustainability in the Direct Carrier Billing ecosystem. Building on South Africa’s proven model—where collaboration between operators, regulators, and content providers has significantly reduced fraud and improved customer experience—the discussion will also highlight the latest developments in Indonesia’s evolving DCB landscape. Speakers will share practical lessons, governance approaches, and compliance mechanisms that are helping markets protect consumers, reduce disputes, and unlock long-term growth for merchants and operators.
Closing off by reflecting on the subjects that have been presented and discussed during the day.
Time to exchange ideas and perspectives with one another accompanied by some drinks to end the day.
