The digitalisation of finance is reshaping the industry, with new asset classes like cryptocurrency gaining traction.

Dubai and the UAE have become key hubs for fintech and crypto, driven by new frameworks and initiatives to attract firms and talent. Saudi Arabia and Qatar are also enhancing their regulatory systems.

But what are the benefits and challenges of these shifts?

In our 36 episode, we spoke to Anna Zeitlin, Partner Addleshaw Goddard. She leads the fintech and financial services practice in Dubai, advising both government and private clients across the region.

In this episode, we covered several topics including:

• The rise of fintech in the UAE and region
• Looking at the benefits and drawbacks of CBDCs
• The adoption and future of crypto

Email us: hassan@majlisandmarkets.com

Follow Majlis & Markets on LinkedIn-https://lnkd.in/eXKNRVcF

Intro theme song-Arab and Muslim by StockMusic via Pixabay

Egypt is quickly becoming a major tech and fintech hub in MENA and Africa. With over 100 million people, many of them young and tech-savvy, and a strategic location connecting continents, the country is set for impressive growth.

But the path forward isn’t without its challenges. These include regulatory hurdles, market fragmentation, and infrastructure issues that could slow its progress.

In our 35th episode, we spoke to Walid Hassouna, founder and CEO of Valu, a leading Egyptian fintech firm. Walid is also a leader in Egypt’s financial sector.

In this episode, we covered several topics including:

• Egypt's fintech landscape
• The opportunities and challenges
• Egypt's current economic situation
• Islamic finance in Egypt

Valu Facebook page-https://www.facebook.com/valuegypt

Valu LinkedIn-https://www.linkedin.com/company/valuegypt/

Email us: hassan@majlisandmarkets.com

Follow Majlis & Markets on LinkedIn-https://lnkd.in/eXKNRVcF

Intro theme song-Arab and Muslim by StockMusic via Pixabay

Across the MENA region, environmental challenges are rising, but the six Gulf Arab states—Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Bahrain—are feeling the impact the most. With economies built on oil and gas, they’re now on the frontlines of climate change.

COP28 in Dubai last year called for urgent action, but what are Gulf countries actually doing? How are they tackling climate risks while trying to diversify their economies?

In our 34th episode, we spoke to Aisha Al-Sarihi. She is a Research Fellow at the Middle East Institute at the National University of Singapore. She is also a Research Associate at Chatham House, and a Non-Resident Fellow the Middle East Council on Global Affairs and the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington.

Her research focuses on political economy, geopolitics, policy and governance of energy transition, climate and environment, with a focus on the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

In this episode, we covered several topics including

• A deep dive into Gulf states' energy commitments and net-zero policies
• The importance of deploying capital for climate projects
• The challenges in mitigating climate risks in economic diversification

Email us: hassan@majlisandmarkets.com

Aisha's X (Twitter)-https://x.com/DrAishaAlSarihi

Follow us on LinkedIn-https://lnkd.in/eXKNRVcF

Intro theme song-Arab and Muslim by StockMusic via Pixabay