Financial Center News #140

We are pleased to share two new thought-leadership reports published by our members TheCityUK and Financial Services Development Council, highlighting how leading financial centers are strengthening long-term competitiveness and shaping the future of global finance 🌍📊

🇬🇧 UK Financial & Professional Services – "No Time to Lose: Reasserting UK Leadership" by TheCityUK

This report provides a clear and urgent roadmap to reinforce the UK's position as a leading international financial centre.

Key themes include: 🔹 Long-term competitiveness in a rapidly changing global landscape 🔹 Financial technology, AI, and market innovation 🔹 Deepening international trade and investment 🔹 Connecting capital to national priorities and building a nation of investors

📲 Report link: https://lnkd.in/daiFxGbd

🇭🇰 AI for Finance in Hong Kong – Ecosystem Report by Financial Services Development Council

This publication offers a decision-maker-oriented analysis of Hong Kong's rapidly evolving AI-for-Finance ecosystem.

Highlights include: 🤖 AI adoption at production scale across banking, capital markets, insurance, and compliance 📈 A growing ecosystem of 230+ companies, investors, and innovation hubs 🌐 Hong Kong's role as a global capital markets gateway for AI-enabled financial institutions

📲 Report link: https://lnkd.in/gFVDGYG8

Together, these reports underline how financial centers are combining innovation, regulation, and international connectivity to remain globally competitive and resilient in the years ahead.

🎙️ Lamia MERZOUKI, Chair World Alliance of International Financial Centers (WAIFC) is speaking ✅

Following the Asian Financial Forum (AFF) in Hong Kong and the meeting of several World Alliance African IFC's with Financial Services Development Council, an important question was raised.

🔔 Lamia MERZOUKI highlighted that thought-leadership is at the very core of the mission of the World Alliance of International Financial Centers (WAIFC)

Over the past years, the World Alliance has delivered several strategic reports, and work is currently underway on a major AI-focused report to be released very soon. This reflects a shared ambition among members: to move beyond discussion and create real, tangible value for the global financial ecosystem.

The strong determination of the World Alliance members continues to drive meaningful collaboration, innovation, and long-term impact across regions.

Stargate UAE, announced in Abu Dhabi, is positioned as a 1-gigawatt AI compute cluster within a broader 5-gigawatt AI campus plan, with the first 200 megawatts expected to come online in 2026.

Public announcements describe an ecosystem model bringing together G42, OpenAI, Oracle, NVIDIA, Cisco, and SoftBank Group Corp., reflecting a shift toward treating AI as long-term economic infrastructure, where scale, security, governance, and reliability determine impact.

For financial services, capability at scale strengthens decisioning, controls, risk intelligence, and productivity as adoption matures, supporting competitiveness in the AI economy.

On 4 February, the AIFC Community 2026 season will officially begin with the opening of the AIFC Client Office.

The AIFC Client Office is designed as a single point of contact for companies operating or planning to operate within the AIFC jurisdiction. It will provide initial guidance on business set up and operations, as well as facilitate structured interaction between businesses and the AIFC ecosystem.

The opening will take place as part of AIFC Community, a regular dialogue platform bringing together the AIFC team and registered participants. The programme will also cover the AIFC regulatory framework development plan for 2026, presentations of key digital services, including the AIFC Client Portal and Data Marketplace, as well as analytical insights into retail investing and other priority areas.

Date: 4 February 2026 Time: 09.30 to 13.00 Location: Astana, Mangilik El 55/23, AIFC, Block C4.4, AIFC Client Office and Hall B

Registration is available via the link: https://lnkd.in/ex44zeJn

🙏 Busan Finance Center ▫️ British Chamber of Commerce in Korea BCCK

Great to welcome Paul Edwards MBE to BIFC and discuss how we'll strengthen our partnership in the new year.

We wrapped up 2025 together by co-hosting Network Busan at BIFC bringing innovative business voices into Busan's financial hub. Now, we are looking ahead to more collaboration in 2026.

The CFC community is growing!

We are excited to welcome the latest members joining our dynamic ecosystem: welcome Biasafe, HACA Partners Consulting Casablanca and PayTic Connect.

This expansion reflects the continuous development of a vibrant community that brings together expertise, innovation, and ambition.

We wish them great success and warmly welcome them to the CFC community.

The DIFC Commissioner of Data Protection has expanded the ecosystem of Accredited Certification Bodies with the appointment of Mission+ and Middle East Privacy.

These additions bring the total number of Accredited Certification Bodies to four, supporting the active enforcement of Regulation 10.3.3 and strengthening accountability across the data protection landscape. The Commissioner also plans to update Regulation 10's Autonomous Systems Officer requirements, including providing new guidance to support ASO skilling and certification, reinforcing DIFC's commitment to responsible innovation, robust governance and global best practice.

[ Mauritius Trade & Investment Promotion Mission to South Africa ]

The Economic Development Board (EDB) conducted a Mauritius Trade & Investment Promotion Mission to South Africa from 26 to 30 January 2026, visiting Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, and Johannesburg. The mission aimed to strengthen trade relations and promote new avenues for exchange and investment between Mauritius and South Africa.

It featured buyer-seller meetings and business forums across the manufacturing, real estate, and financial services sectors, providing South African companies and investors with direct opportunities to engage with Mauritian operators and explore potential partnerships.

The delegation was led by Mr. Geerish Bucktowonsing, Director for Industry, SMEs, Freeport, and Logistics at the EDB, alongside Her Excellency Maria Mireille Martin, High Commissioner of Mauritius to South Africa. During the mission, they highlighted Mauritius' investment potential in an exclusive interview with CNBC Africa.

https://lnkd.in/dmRDW38s

Know a recent graduate ready to kick-start their career? Share the Youth of Enterprise (YOE) Internship Programme Cohort VII with them. YOE offers young Nigerian graduates a paid internship, real workplace experience, and the opportunity to begin a meaningful career with reputable organisations across the Financial and Professional Services sector. Sometimes, making a difference is as simple as sharing the right opportunity at the right time.

🔗 https://lnkd.in/edTaDCgF

📌 Applications are open.

🏛️ We're proud to have the support of AQA Capital Ltd, a leading UCITS and alternative investment fund manager operating across Malta, Luxembourg, Ireland and Italy.

Elaine Bonnici, CEO of AQA Capital, shares how their culture of excellence drives a truly one-stop-shop solution for fund promoters, from fund structuring and jurisdiction selection to risk management, compliance and ongoing regulatory support.

"We acknowledge the work that is being done by FinanceMalta and through our support we show our appreciation as well as our commitment to continue strengthening the financial services sector in Malta."

Thank you, Elaine and the AQA Capital team. 🤝

The #FSA announces a tender for the upgrade of the #Dhamani_E_Platform infrastructure, reinforcing efficiency and sustainability in Oman's #health_insurance ecosystem.

#FinanceMatters | What moved Frankfurt's financial centre in January?

🔹 Frankfurt continues to assert its role as Europe's leading financial hub. At Davos, the city's position was highlighted once again, with high-level political and financial participation underlining Frankfurt's strategic importance. 🔹 Ahead of the Frankfurt Digital Finance conference on 11–12 February, we spoke with Founder & MD Corinna Egerer about turning global trends—from AI to tokenization—into resilient, actionable business cases for the European market. 🔹 In local recognition, FMF Honorary President Dr. Lutz Raettig was awarded the City of Frankfurt's Honorary Plaque for his outstanding contributions to the financial centre over many years.

📩 Stay informed about Frankfurt's financial ecosystem and subscribe to our newsletter "Finance Matters" now: https://brnw.ch/21wZxMk

📢 Fresh insights! The report "What do Europeans want out of their EUDI Wallets?" has just been released!

With #EUDigitalIdentityWallets set to launch by the end of 2026, the ecosystem is gearing up for the big moment. But which use cases should be prioritized? And what features could motivate Europeans to actually download and set up their future EUDI Wallet? 🤔

👉 This report provides the answers, highlighting the top-rated features across different groups: 🩺 Health features – access to health records, medical insurance cards and e-prescriptions rank among the top five priorities across all segments. 🪪 Document access – particularly important for students and citizens moving between EU countries. 💳 Payments and transactions – highly relevant for business professionals and frequent travelers. 📝 E-prescriptions and disability cards - most valued by retired people.

The report was published as part of the EU Digital Identity Wallet initiative. 📊 It provides reliable, citizen-centered data, helping public administrations, service providers, and digital solution creators focus on features that drive real adoption and tangible value for users.

Check out the full report here 👉 https://lnkd.in/d2heCHaa

Which EUDI Wallet features would matter most in your daily life? Share your thoughts and join the discussion! 💬

📢 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲!

💡 Are you researching a topic shaping the future of global finance – #financialcentres, #fintech or #digitalfinance, or other areas? The #WAIFC 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 recognises outstanding research and offers a global platform to share ideas, gain international visibility and engage with international financial leaders.

Stand out on a global stage and leave your mark on the future of finance.

📅 Submit your paper or essay by 𝟯𝟬 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲.

A center that makes a difference with its details and is designed for the business world. Istanbul Financial Center offers an integrated working environment to institutions and professionals with its 1.3 million m² office space, social and commercial areas, strong infrastructure and smart city approach.

Apply now: https://ifm.gov.tr/basvur

🔊 Introducing Our Speakers for Future Connect: Your Voice, Your Impact! 🔊

On Thursday 5 February we invite young professionals to join us for an interactive session exploring the influence of elections on careers and the finance industry in Jersey. If you've ever wondered "does my vote really matter?", then this conversation is for you.

👉 Book your place now: https://jsy.fi/4pScPeJ

#IFF2026 domestic roadshows rolling out! KIFC met with Mobile Money Rwanda LTD to explore stronger partnerships for advancing inclusive finance. The conversation highlighted collaboration around #IFF2026, a platform where ideas turn into practical outcomes. The Inclusive FinTech Forum convenes the world around ideas and impact, advancing the global dialogue on inclusive finance. The third edition of IFF will be held on 10–12 March 2026 at Kigali Convention Center (KCC). Be part of the conversation shaping the future of finance!

Confirm your participation: https://lnkd.in/dbTpUTMC

The first year of MiCA is delivering a familiar lesson from major regulatory reforms. Building a single European framework takes time.

Differences in licensing speeds and transitional regimes across member states have created short-term frictions. These are widely seen as part of implementation, not signs of a flawed system. In practice, national supervisors are coordinating more closely than ever under a shared rulebook, with the current focus firmly on processing a large volume of applications.

For Jean-Baptiste Graftieaux at Coinbase, this volume tells its own story. The surge in MiCA applications across the EU reflects growing confidence in the regime and the rapid formalisation of the crypto sector, even as regulators manage the workload of MiCA's first year.

🔗 Read our latest article to understand why these early challenges may be a foundation for MiCA's long-term effectiveness: https://lff.social/y9y

NIFC CEO Daniel Mainda hosted a non-deal roadshow at the PAFMA - Pan Africa Fund Managers Alliance Conference 2026, spotlighting Kenya's evolving investment landscape and the growing opportunities for fund managers across the region.

His remarks addressed both the practical challenges fund managers face when entering and operating in the market, such as navigating the regulatory environment to structuring and operational hurdles in the market. The session also spotlighted the solutions that the NIFC framework provides to ease market entry, provide long term tax and operational predictability and ensure a more competitive environment for capital deployment.

As the NIFC continues to strengthen Kenya's position as a leading financial hub, creating an enabling environment for fund managers across the continent will be essential.

Pleased to have supported the launch of the Global Islamic Fintech Report 2025/26 at Web Summit Qatar, as an ecosystem partner and collaborator. ☪️🏦

Now in its fifth edition, the report, produced by DinarStandard and Elipses, continues to serve as a key reference for policymakers, founders, financial institutions and investors shaping the Islamic fintech landscape globally.

Launched on one of the world's leading tech stages, this year's edition provides data-driven insights into market growth, global rankings, ecosystem gaps and emerging opportunities across priority markets.

QFC remains committed to supporting platforms and partnerships that advance innovation, knowledge-sharing and the continued development of fintech and Islamic finance ecosystems in Qatar and beyond.

Explore the full report: https://lnkd.in/dX4Jea4P

As part of our ongoing focus on health and wellbeing, we welcomed Antidote LDN to our office last week for a special Brew Bar pop-up, giving colleagues the chance to create personalised herbal tea blends and take a small moment to pause and reenergise during a busy day. Designed to help build small, calming moments into the working day, it was a great way to have a recharge. Thank you to the team at Antidote LDN team for the experience and the great insights they shared on the benefits of different herbal blends. ☕🌿

I had the opportunity this week to participate in a timely conversation on Kenya's economic outlook and the role the private sector must play in shaping growth in 2026 and beyond.

Wearing my Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) Vice Chair hat, I'm constantly reminded that we speak for a broad and diverse private sector of over one million businesses, local and international, large and small, all navigating the same headwinds while trying to unlock opportunity. From policy engagement to investment and trade, that collective voice matters now more than ever.

From my perspective as CEO of TRIFIC SEZ, I also see firsthand how capital, confidence, infrastructure, and policy alignment come together, or don't, to drive real investment decisions. Global uncertainty, shifting trade dynamics, tighter financial conditions, and rapid technological change are not abstract concepts. They are showing up daily in boardrooms and balance sheets.

The opportunity is real. Regional and continental frameworks such as the EAC, AfCFTA, and the Tripartite Free Trade Area give Kenya a strong platform to compete, attract capital, and scale our businesses beyond borders, if we choose to be deliberate and coordinated.

Thank you to our partners including Nairobi Securities Exchange PLC led by Frank Mwiti and KPMG East Africa led by Sandeep Main, our speakers including Nation Media Group's Geoffrey Odundo, and everyone who contributed to a thoughtful and forward-looking discussion.

What continues to give me confidence is collaboration. A private sector that speaks with clarity, engages constructively, and stays focused on building a competitive, inclusive, and future-ready Kenyan economy. The work continues, and the conversations must turn into action.