Financial Center News #124

The World Alliance is expanding 📣

We are delighted to welcome Hortense Mudenge, CEO of the Kigali International Financial Centre (KIFC), as a new Board Member.

Hortense Mudenge is one of our most dynamic members, actively driving innovation and strengthening Africa's role in finance. With Hortense joining our Board, we are proud to amplify our commitment to inclusive growth and sustainable financial ecosystems. 🌱💼

📲 Learn more about our AGM in Frankfurt: https://lnkd.in/eZ5vANP8

We are delighted to welcome Pawel Widawski, President of Future Finance Poland, as a new Board Member.

Future Finance Poland is a very active member. With Paweł joining our Board, we further strengthen our mission to foster international cooperation and shape the future of IFCs in Europe and beyond. 🤝💡

📲 Learn more about our AGM in Frankfurt: https://lnkd.in/eZ5vANP8

A Special Edition of the ADGM Think Podcast brings rare insights from Ray Dalio – the legendary investor behind the world's largest hedge fund. He explores how data, AI, and judgment are reshaping the way finance makes decisions.

See the full discussion via https://lnkd.in/erTTaRqi.

🚀 We are pleased to announce our latest appointments at AIFC Authority.

💠 Zhumagul Amankulova has been appointed Chief Financial Officer & Head of Administration, as well as Member of the Management Board. Zhumagul has over 18 years of experience in accounting, taxation, and financial management. She joined the AIFC Authority in 2024 as Director of the Accounting, Tax and Treasury Department. She graduated from the Narxoz University with a degree in Financial Management and holds certifications as a Professional Accountant and First Category Tax Consultant. She has vast experience in leadership positions at major international companies including Wood Group Kazakhstan, Amec Group Limited, Fircroft, and KIS/Orion.

💠Sairan Khamitov, PMP has been appointed Chief Digital Officer. Sairan has over 20 years of experience in digital technologies, analytics, and project management. He holds a master's degree in information technology and management from the Illinois Institute of Technology and a bachelor's degree in applied mathematics from Al-Farabi Kazakh National University. He joined the AIFC Authority in 2019 leading key digital transformation and technology initiatives. Before the appointment, he took a position of a Director of the Technology Department at the AIFC Authority, overseeing digital transformation and innovation projects.

💠Zhanbolat Kakishev BEng, MBA, MPA has been appointed Chief Product Officer. He has 15 years of leadership experience across the energy, finance, and technology sectors. Zhanbolat is a member of the Presidential Youth Personnel Reserve (2019). He holds a bachelor's degree in engineering from King's College London, an MBA in Finance and Energy from Rice University, and a master's in public administration from RANEPA.

In partnership with the Financial Times and backed by the Région Casablanca - Settat, the Casablanca Business Forum 2025 convened over 400 senior business leaders, policymakers, and innovators to discuss Africa's growth agenda.

The Forum featured high-level panels on geopolitical trends and investment, sustainable finance, innovative financing solutions for African companies, and technology-driven financial inclusion, with insights from some of the continent's most influential voices.

Participants benefited from exclusive networking opportunities with top-tier executives, while engaging in in-depth discussions with leading experts and decision-makers shaping Africa's economic future.

Stay tuned for upcoming events organized by CFC.

#DIFC and Partners for Growth (PFG) have announced a strategic growth debt partnership to scale Dubai's next generation of technology companies.

The collaboration brings together DIFC's vision to drive the future of finance with PFG's global expertise in private credit investing, unlocking new funding pathways for high-growth technology companies across Dubai and the GCC.

Aligned with the D33 Economic Agenda and DIFC's 2030 Strategy, the partnership will provide structured growth debt to innovation-driven businesses in sectors such as FinTech, HealthTech, InsurTech, PropTech, SME Digital Finance, and SpaceTech.

This milestone reinforces Dubai's position as a global hub for innovation, entrepreneurship and capital.

It was a pleasure for FinanceMalta to support the 2025 Malta Day event in Abu Dhabi, celebrating the 61st Anniversary of Malta's Independence. A heartfelt well done to H.E. Maria Camilleri Calleja, Ambassador of Malta to the UAE, and the entire Embassy team for the excellent organisation of this memorable occasion.

FinanceMalta was represented by George Micallef from FinanceMalta, Alex Konewko from Finductive, and Claire Domancich from Alter Domus Malta.

Your guide to fighting terrorism financing 🔹 Explore financial sanctions lists and institutional responsibilities.

📉 Fewer reporting obligations? DVFA Investment Professionals warn of negative consequences for the capital markets

The DVFA Monthly Question October shows that US President Donald Trump's proposal to have listed companies report only semi-annually in the future is controversially discussed, but is met with predominantly scepticism by German investment professionals. In particular, with regard to the locational quality of transparent and efficient capital markets in Germany and Europe.

📊 Key findings of the survey: 🔹42% oppose the proposal as it weakens market transparency and could jeopardise the efficiency of pricing and capital allocation. 🔹26% support the measure because it would reduce short-term thinking and promote long-term corporate management. 🔹32% are undecided and see the effect as highly dependent on ad hoc publicity and voluntary company announcements.

Many respondents expect more volatility and greater information asymmetries between institutional and private investors due to less frequent reporting. However, some also see opportunities for more strategic communication beyond short-term quarterly figures.

In Europe, however, the majority of respondents (56%) reject a similar initiative. High transparency standards continue to be regarded as a competitive advantage for the attractiveness of the financial centre.

🔗 More about the survey: https://frankfurt-main-finance.com/en/fewer-reporting-requirements-dvfa-investment-professionals-warn-of-negative-consequences-for-capital-markets/

We're proud and truly honored to announce that the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Poland has taken patronage over the Future Finance Summit, the flagship event of Warsaw Finance Week. 🇵🇱

This recognition is both a privilege and a responsibility — and we fully embrace it.

We're committed to delivering top-quality discussions, inspiring speakers, and meaningful insights that reflect the importance of this partnership.

Thank you to the Ministry of Finance for your trust and support.

We can't wait to welcome everyone to CIC Warsaw, November 4–5, for two days of impactful conversations shaping the future of finance - https://lnkd.in/d5dX4Sde

Hong Kong understands that, to be a true leader in the digital asset space, you must enable the future while protecting those who believe in it.

The new Virtual Asset Intelligence Taskforce is a clear signal of our commitment. A powerful public-private partnership with Hong Kong Police Force, Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (FSTB), Security Bureau, Securities and Futures Commission (SFC), Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), and licensed exchanges all at the table.

This collaborative model is how we will foster responsible innovation, deter malpractice, and build a resilient and trustworthy market.

This is how you shape a future-proof financial hubs, and it will be proven a significant step that will go a long way.

The new center of financial technologies was opened in the Istanbul Financial Center. Fintech Zone İstanbul offers startups and companies a strong ecosystem on the way to digitalization. From office spaces to investment opportunities, everything is in place here.

For detailed information and application: https://fintech.zone

Succession planning is a pivotal moment for any family business and maintaining 'control' is often the biggest concern.

We were proud to co-host a highly successful breakfast roundtable in Bahrain this Monday, 13 October, alongside our partners at Society of Trust & Estate Practitioners - Arabia (STEP Arabia).

Led by Faizal Bhana, Director – Middle East, Africa - Jersey Finance with STEP Bahrain's Danielle McIver, Chief Product Officer - The Family Office and STEP Arabia's Tom Kimber, Associate Director, Institutional Capital Services - JTC, the discussions explored the legal, operational and governance complexities of structuring control during succession.

We explored perspectives from the Bahrain, GCC and Jersey standpoints, providing attendees with clear examples of how to safeguard a family's vision for the future.

A huge thank you to the first-class line-up of experts and attendees who made the event's discussions and takeaways so insightful.

View images from the event on Flickr: https://lnkd.in/e6gpcuXr

We are pleased to announce that our Chief Legal Officer, Antonny Mukulu Nshimye, will be speaking at the African Business Angel Network - ABAN Annual Congress 2025, happening on October 17–18 in Lagos, Nigeria.

He will participate in a panel session themed "Mobilising Capital – Let's Hit the $80M Mark: Blended Finance," sharing KIFC's perspective on leveraging blended finance to unlock new investment opportunities across Africa and beyond.

The ABAN Annual Congress brings together some of Africa's most influential investors, policymakers, and ecosystem leaders for investment facilitation, knowledge exchange, and community building. As ABAN marks its 10th anniversary, this year's theme, "Accelerating Local Capital Participation", highlights its continued commitment to scaling African-led innovation and entrepreneurship across the continent.

Luxembourg isn't just a thriving financial hub, it's also a place where you can build a career with real impact.

From sustainable finance to fintech innovation, professionals here are helping shape the future of global finance while contributing to meaningful change.

💡 Still looking for a place to grow a career where finance meets innovation and sustainability?

You do the math.

Celebrating the launch of Qatar's FIRST EVER #PrivateEquity #co-#investment fund set up and managed by QIC Asset Management and anchored ($25 mn) by the largest insurance firm in the Middle East Qatar Insurance Group

The QIC Global Opportunities Fund will target a $100 mn close (still open to professional investors). The globally focused Fund is further evidence of the excellent talent and sophisticated investment strategies found here in Qatar, and we wish the QIC team success with its launch which took months of hard work to get to this point. The fund is registered at Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) Authority and Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Authority (QFCRA)

Key elements of the Fund: Proven track record - Backed by QIC Group's extensive PE experience, which currently manages a private markets portfolio exceeding USD 500 million Extensive network - Partnerships with 200+ leading global asset managers Attractive fee structure – significantly less compared to the traditional private equity model Geographic focus - Global and sector agnostic

Congratulations to Qatar Insurance Group, Group CEO Salem Al Mannai, CIO Chirag Doshi, CFA and the QICAM management & investment team Amresh Nath, CFA Manish Mittal, CFA for this momentous development in Qatar's #assetmanagement #ecosystem

For more information please reach out to QICAM's Head of Client Coverage & distribution Karim Naaman.

The Investor Club of the Stuttgart Stock Exchange cordially invites you to the exclusive event "Investor Club on Tour" – the platform for community and networking 🤝

➡️ The focus is on sharing experiences, receiving feedback, inspiring others.

The financial markets are constantly changing – and if you want to stay up to date, you need a direct line to up-to-date information and expertise. "Anlegerclub on Tour" offers you a platform where you can get to know the special features of the Stuttgart Stock Exchange and network with those interested in the stock exchange.

Register now and secure your spot! https://lnkd.in/erFx-vMF

6-7 p.m. Talk: Current stock market topics and interesting trend stocks 7-8 p.m. networking with snacks and drinks

Speakers: Richard Dittrich, stock market expert and known from the YouTube channel of the Boerse Stuttgart Group Tobias Kramer, financial expert, entrepreneur and investor from Berlin

🕘 When? Friday, October 17, 2025 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. 📍 Where? Chamber of Industry and Commerce Berlin | Fasanenstraße 85 | 10623 Berlin

Last week we had a busy few days in Manchester at The Conservative Party Conference, engaging with policymakers, regulators and industry leaders on the future of the UK's financial and related professional services industry.

Highlights included:

🍽️ Member dinner in partnership with Phoenix Group It was fantastic to welcome Rt Hon Sir Mel Stride MP, Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, and Helen Bower-Easton CBE, Director of Communications at the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) for a discussion on how regulators, policymakers and industry can best collaborate to drive prosperity.

🥂 1922 Committee reception in partnership with ConservativeHome Great to hear from Rt Hon Kemi Badenoch MP, Leader of The Conservative Party, whose speech focused on the crucial role of financial and related professional services in driving economic growth across the UK.

🌍 Fringe panel in partnership with ConservativeHome Lively discussion focused on the importance of securing the UK's long-term competitiveness as a world-leading international financial centre, with panellists: 🔹 Mark Garnier OBE MP, Shadow Economic Secretary 🔹 Helen Bower-Easton CBE, Director of Communications, FCA 🔹 Miles Celic OBE, Our CEO 🔹 Anna Purchas, Vice Chair and Office Senior Partner for London, KPMG UK

Much of the discussion over the last few days built on the insights and recommendations from our latest 'Enabling growth across the UK 2025' report, which you can read here: https://lnkd.in/exxJB562

In Africa, innovation is everywhere, from fintech breakthroughs to AI-driven solutions solving everyday challenges. But to scale, startups need more than just ideas. They need a launchpad.

At TRIFIC SEZ, we've built an environment where entrepreneurs can turn ambition into action: ✅ A barrier-free marketplace with regional and international reach ✅ Incentives that free businesses to focus on innovation, not red tape ✅ Infrastructure designed for the digital-first, fast-scaling enterprise

This is not just about growth. It's about creating the next generation of African enterprises ready to compete and win on the global stage.