Financial Center News #128

Strengthening international financial cooperation

We are delighted to share that two of our esteemed members, the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) Authority, represented by its CEO Yousuf Al-Jaida and the NIFC Africa, represented by its CEO Daniel Mainda have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, witnessed by H.E. William Samoei Ruto, President of Kenya.

🤝 This milestone agreement marks an important step toward deepening financial collaboration between Qatar and Kenya, both playing a pivotal role in driving sustainable growth across their respective regions.

The partnership will: ✅ Encourage cross-border investment ✅ Support innovation-led financial growth ✅ Facilitate knowledge sharing and sustainable finance initiatives

This collaboration exemplifies the spirit of cooperation that unites the World Alliance network — advancing the role of financial centers in promoting economic diversification, innovation, and global connectivity.

📌Congratulations to both members on this forward-looking initiative!

In an exclusive interview with Al Etihad, H.E Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of ADGM, highlights how Abu Dhabi has transformed capital into a global force for growth and influence.

From pioneering a decade of financial innovation through ADGM to advancing the Falcon Economy's pillars of diversification, digitalisation, and sustainability, His Excellency outlines how Abu Dhabi is shaping the next era of global finance and positioning itself among the world's top financial hubs.

"Abu Dhabi's strength has never been about how much capital it has, it is about how effectively that capital is used."

Together, ADGM and Abu Dhabi are engineering the Capital of Capital.

Read the full interview on Al Etihad: https://lnkd.in/dURkvHHa

The AIFC invites Singaporean investors and financial companies to Kazakhstan

Today, 10 November, the Astana International Financial Centre held the business event AIFC Connect: Singapore 2025 in Singapore. The event is aimed at strengthen business ties between the two countries and develop new partnerships.

The event was opened by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Republic of Singapore, the Commonwealth of Australia and New Zealand Askar Kuttykadam

In the business part of the programme, Bakhtiyar T., CEO of the AIFC Authority, Evgenia Bogdanova, CEO of AFSA, and Talgat Amanbayev 🚀, Chief Innovation Officer of the AIFC Authority, presented the opportunities offered by the financial centre and emphasized that the AIFC jurisdiction provides a secure and predictable environment for doing business.

🤝 The session on financial market innovation featured Holly Fang, President of the Singapore Fintech Association (SFA), Athena Miao, Chief Commercial Officer of BigONE Exchange, and Brett Miranda, Head of VIP and Institutional Investor Relations at Binance.

A fireside chat moderated by Baurzhan Kankin, Chief Client Officer of the AIFC Authority, was held with James Tan, Managing Partner of Quest Ventures. The speakers discussed the AIFC's role and impact on the development of financial services across the Asia-Pacific region.

The dialogue was continued by Anastassiya Kim, CFO of BI Group South, who presented unique investment opportunities in the real assets sector.

New tools for the development of fintech innovations were also shared by Huankiat Seh, Fintech Director of PhillipCapital, Olzhas Zhiyenkul, CEO of Investbanq, and Arman Batayev, ACCA, CEO of GWM Capital Ltd. and Managing Director of OD Consulting Ltd.

The AIFC expresses its gratitude to the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Singapore, BIG Invest – an investment platform of BI Group Holding, and OD Consulting for their support in organizing the business event, held as part of the Singapore FinTech Festival (SFF) and Insights Forum, organized by the Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN).

Casablanca Finance City was delighted to host an exclusive gathering with Morocco's 40 under 40, bringing together members of the Moroccan diaspora in France to explore how they can contribute to Morocco's development.

The evening featured inspiring insights on leadership, engagement, and the role of global Moroccan talent in strengthening connections between France and Morocco.

The discussions highlighted the strength, commitment, and potential of this vibrant diaspora, eager to share their expertise and support the Kingdom's future.

A warm thank you to Morocco's 40 under 40 and all participants for their enthusiasm and meaningful contributions.

Join #DIFC and Asia House for a dynamic panel discussion on the future of finance featuring leading experts from the Institute of International Finance, World Alliance of International Financial Centers (WAIFC) and the Z/Yen Group Limited. Engage with panelists and join the conversation on the evolving financial landscape and what it means for investors and institutions.

Be the first to access key findings of DIFC's Future of Finance report on how next-generation financial cities are transforming global capital flows through new approaches to governance, regulation, lifestyle, and talent attraction.

Register now for our upcoming webinar: https://lnkd.in/eKH8H3Mp

The Central Bank has raised the bar. But the big picture is about building banks with the muscle to lend credit to the sectors powering our economy.

With stronger banks, Nigeria can expand access to credit, fund growth-driving projects, and move closer to its ₦1.5 quadrillion economy vision.

Recapitalisation is how stronger banks can build a stronger Nigeria.

++FM 18th Annual Conference – Featured Speaker++

🎙️ Dr. Jochen Biedermann — Managing Director, World Alliance of International Financial Centers (WAIFC) Set to speak at the 18th Annual FinanceMalta Conference.

Buy tickets 👉 https://lnkd.in/eKsEDY4G

In a new step toward a strategic partnership to develop the financial sector, the #FSA received Wendy Werner, Country Manager of the World Bank in Oman, to discuss cooperation in developing the financial sector and supporting the Authority's goals under #OmanVision2040.

Frankfurt? A must-see in 2026! 🚀

The travel magazine Condé Nast Traveller has included Frankfurt am Main in its list of the "Best Places to Go 2026" worldwide - as the only German city. And rightly so. Between the skyline and the old town, Goethe and techno, the banking district and street food, Frankfurt is a city full of contrasts – international, creative and economically strong.

In 2026, Frankfurt will also become World Design Capital – with over 200 events, new perspectives on urban design and a focus on innovation. The opening of the Jewish Academy also sends a strong signal for education, dialogue and openness.

As part of the World Design Capital Frankfurt RheinMain 2026's multiplier network, Frankfurt Main Finance is pleased that our city is in the international spotlight. After all, a strong, creative environment attracts talent, companies and investors and also makes Frankfurt a financial centre even more attractive.

Frankfurt shows how creativity, culture and economic strength go hand in hand. We are proud to be part of this dynamic "pocket-sized cosmopolitan city" and to actively shape developments in the EU's most important financial centre. 💼🎨🌆

👉 More about Frankfurt's place among the "Best Places to Go 2026" can be found via this link: https://frankfurt-main-finance.com/frankfurt-als-einziges-deutsches-reiseziel-auf-bestenliste/

Through the Digital Identity Specialization, Future Finance Poland is driving hands-on projects to explore the most transformative innovations. Among them: the European Digital Identity Wallet (EUDIW).

We asked Malgorzata Domagala, Vice President, Products and Solutions, Mastercard: Which technologies hold the greatest potential to make onboarding as simple as logging into a favorite app?

"One of the most promising innovations is the European Digital Identity Wallet (EUDIW), introduced under the eIDAS 2.0 regulation. This could be a game-changer. It allows customers across the EU to open a bank account with a single tap – transforming the entire KYC process into a 'one-click' experience, while maintaining the legal assurance required for financial services."

For financial institutions, this means: 🔹 Seamless, cross-border onboarding 🔹 Legally assured KYC processes 🔹 A new standard of trust and privacy across the EU

This is the future of onboarding – one click, full trust.

📊 𝗨𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗛𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗞𝗼𝗻𝗴'𝘀 𝗣𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 – 𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗼 #𝗙𝗦𝗗𝗖'𝘀 𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁

We're pleased to launch our latest FSDC report on strengthening Hong Kong's role in global commodity trading — a strategic move to bolster economic resilience, elevate global competitiveness, and solidify our city's position as a financial powerhouse in an increasingly complex and interconnected world.

The report outlines actionable strategies to position Hong Kong as a #GlobalHub for commodities: • Strengthen the ecosystem: establish a robust physical warehouse infrastructure, collaborate with #GBA cities, and incentivise stakeholders. • Prioritise key commodities: build on precious metals, attract base metals trading, and capture traditional and emerging commodities. • Enhance connectivity: facilitate product cross-listing and explore a "Commodity Connect" with the Chinese Mainland.

📖 Access the full report: https://lnkd.in/gSUDPWvU

Jersey's strength lies in its consistency over decades, characterised by stable governance, forward-looking regulation and a clear vision for sustainable growth. As Joe Moynihan outlines in his latest blog, maintaining reputation means embedding integrity into every decision. By evolving our fund regime and broadening our global reach, while nurturing skills at home, Jersey's IFC is future-proofing its financial ecosystem, earning confidence not just today, but for generations to come.

🔗 Explore insights: https://jsy.fi/4osHAGQ

Today, KIFC hosted an exclusive event on the sidelines of the Insights Forum, in partnership with Rwanda High Commission in Singapore, Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN), and Raffles Family Office. In her keynote, our CEO Hortense Mudenge highlighted Rwanda's growing role as a strategic financial hub and gateway into Africa - underscoring Kigali's predictability, efficiency, and strong regulatory environment for capital deployment across the continent. KIFC continues to unlock new pathways for impact-driven investors to engage with Africa's dynamic and fast-growing sectors.

According to recent report by ABBL, in collaboration with KPMG, Luxembourg's private banking sector has continued to go from strength to strength, with AuM climbing 14% year-on-year to reach EUR 756 billion; the largest annual rise since 2007.

Notably, more than half of the private banks in Luxembourg achieved AuM growth of above 10%, signalling broad-based sector strength across small, medium, and large institutions, and highlighting the country's appeal as the EU's leading wealth management hub.

Read the full report here: https://bit.ly/3JnzxMN

We are pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office in Qatar to advance wellbeing, safety, and mental health in work environments across the QFC community. 🩺

This partnership focuses on: 🤝 Encouraging strong workplace wellbeing practices, including mental health and preventive care. 🤝 Supporting leaders in making evidence-based decisions that foster safe, inclusive, and productive work environments. 🤝 Advancing initiatives that help employees stay healthy, resilient, and engaged.

The collaboration aligns with Qatar National Vision 2030, reinforcing human development and improving quality of life across the nation. Through knowledge exchange, joint awareness activities, and technical guidance, QFC and WHO aim to raise wellbeing standards and promote healthier workplaces.

Stuttgart Business Dialogue 2025

How does Germany remain fit for the future? What can Baden-Württemberg do? The Stuttgart Economic Dialogue together with the Reinhold Maier Foundation focused on this topic last week.

💡 Topics: • Economic realities and their consequences for the economy and society • Future of Work & Economy • Policy framework for entrepreneurship.

The guests were welcomed by Dr. Philipp Veit, head of Stuttgart Financial, and Vanessa Pallentin. Prof. Dr. Michael Hüther, Director of the Institut der deutschen Wirtschaft, kicked off the event with a comprehensive analysis on the topic of "Security, Special Funds and State Reform: Germany's Path to the Future".

In the subsequent discussion with Prof. Dr. Erik Schweickert MdL and the entrepreneur Xenia Troniarsky, concrete reform ideas for Germany and Baden-Württemberg were discussed. Moderation: Sabine Rößing.

Thank you for inviting us to partner with EY on this year's programme, Nina Driscoll. A great initiative that brings together future leaders in technology from across financial services – so critical given the rapid pace in which this area is changing. We were also delighted to join the closing event for this year – congratulations to the 2025 cohort! 👏

Congratulations to our CEO, Brenda Mbathi for securing first place on "Kenya's 10 Rising Stars: Finding New Ways to Boost the Economy" by The Africa Report! This achievement underscores Brenda's visionary leadership and our collective commitment at TRIFIC SEZ to driving economic growth, innovation and transformative impact across Kenya. We're proud to be part of this journey and look forward to the next chapter of success.

https://lnkd.in/deiptGbV