Financial Center News #141

🏆 We are pleased to share that our member Istanbul Financial Center has won two major International Property Awards in the European region.

✅ Europe's Best Commercial High-Rise Building – Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye Tower ✅ Europe's Best Office Development – IFC office spaces

These awards, granted by the International Property Awards, honor excellence in design quality, sustainability, user experience, and architectural innovation, and are widely considered a global benchmark in the real estate industry.

With 1.3 million sqm of office space, a 100,000 sqm shopping mall, 26,000 parking spaces, and an integrated smart city management system, IFC was designed to meet the evolving needs of the international business and financial community.

As highlighted by IFC CEO Ahmet İhsan Erdem, this recognition reflects the visionary approach and quality-driven efforts of the entire IFC ecosystem, reinforcing Istanbul's ambition to become a key hub for regional and global finance.

👏 Congratulations to Istanbul Financial Center teams and partners on this outstanding achievement.

ADGM brings services closer to where people live and work, reinforcing its role as a trusted partner for businesses at every stage. The opening of our new Service Centre marks an important step in strengthening how businesses, investors and residents engage with ADGM. Located at the heart of Al Maryah Island, and designed to complement ADGM's digital-first approach, the centre offers in-person access to core services and enhances everyday connectivity.

We welcomed Tony Ashraf, Managing Director, Head of Technology and Operations, Middle East & Africa together with Matthew Sutton, Associate, Institutional Sales at BlackRock, at the AIFC (Astana International Financial Centre). The visit reflects practical interest in regulatory frameworks, legal certainty and financial infrastructure capable of supporting institutional capital.

At the AIFC, this approach is being developed for real-economy applications. A grain tokenization project is currently under development, aimed at linking a physical agricultural asset with digital capital markets and creating a structured, transparent basis for financing. This work shows how digital infrastructure can be applied to the real sector and integrated into existing market frameworks in line with regulatory and institutional expectations.

As institutional interest in digital assets grows, financial centres are increasingly defined by how well they align regulation, technology and market infrastructure – a key factor in building trust and supporting long-term capital engagement.

Busan is Good. 부산이라 좋다

At first glance, the slogan may sound simple but literal meaning is strong: Good! Simply by being #Busan

We nudge that forward to simple and strong version. #Better #Busan with Network Busan

I joined the Network Busan host team and it was great to see how quickly connections formed from dialogue to the action.

💎 Special thanks to Gorilla Brewing for hosting 📌 Network Busan on February 27 🔁 Another round in March ✨ A special round with Busan Finance Center in April

CFC Success Story | Phycotek

As a proud CFC Member, Phycotek is pioneering carbon sequestration through microalgae cultivation, turning cutting-edge science into scalable, nature-based solutions.

Founders Oussama El Ayoubi and Driss Asikal share their journey, from technology development and site selection to certification, industrial scale-up, and international commercialization.

They also explain how Casablanca Finance City and the Green Assets Cluster help create a structured carbon ecosystem and a strong network to accelerate collaboration and growth.

Thank you to Oussama and Driss for sharing their inspiring journey.

#DIFC, in partnership with CME Group, hosted the sixth edition of Derivatives Day Dubai, bringing together leading market participants to discuss the evolution of listed derivatives across the MENA region and global industry trends.

Through expert insights, strategic dialogue and forward-looking perspectives, the conference underscored DIFC's role as the region's leading hub for capital markets innovation, depth and sustainable growth.

Mauritius …. a destination of choice!

EDB Mauritius invites you to an exclusive business and investment forum, taking place at Conrad London St James on Thursday 26 March 2026.

Join our panel of industry experts, legal advisors, smart city companies, real estate developers, notaries, and wealth management professionals for an insightful session on: 👉 The future Mauritian economic landscape 👉 High-growth investment sectors 👉 Mauritius a strategic partner on the African continent 👉 Legal frameworks and investor protection 👉 Mauritius transitioning to a high-tech hub 👉 Trusted and robust International Financial Centre (IFC) 👉 High-quality living and lifestyle

Don't miss this opportunity - Register now to secure your place! https://lnkd.in/dS_9qZq8

EnterpriseNGR, the uniting voice of Nigeria's Financial and Professional Services (FPS) sector, recently convened its Annual Members' Retreat, bringing together its member institutions, Board Members, and key players across the FPS ecosystem.

As a member-led organisation, the retreat created a strategic platform for alignment on EnterpriseNGR's initiatives, agenda-setting, and sector-wide collaboration, enabling member institutions to shape organisational priorities and work collectively towards advancing the FPS sector as a critical driver of Nigeria's economic growth and national development.

We celebrate all our EnterpriseNGR Members and Board Members. Your vision, support, leadership, and active participation continue to define the future of Nigeria's FPS sector and amplify EnterpriseNGR's role as the unified voice of the FPS sector.

🎯 From Policy to Practice: The 2026 MIA AML Conference

The Malta Institute of Accountants (MIA), in collaboration with Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit (FIAU) Malta, presents a crucial event for compliance and AML professionals.

📅 26th March 2026 📍 Xara Lodge, Rabat

This conference bridges the gap between regulatory frameworks and practical implementation. Essential for anyone navigating Malta's evolving AML landscape.

Whether you're in accounting, compliance, legal, or financial services, this is your opportunity to stay ahead of policy developments and learn actionable strategies.

👉 Register now: https://lnkd.in/dJCgQ4Ws

As part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen the supervisory framework, the #FSA held a workshop to highlight the key outcomes of the 2025 Supervisory Plan and discuss updates to the #STRIX risk matrix programme, with the participation of entities under the FSA's supervision, aiming to enhance understanding of supervisory outcomes and the latest updates to the risk analysis questionnaire.

AI in financial analysis: Productivity gains with clear limits

DVFA investment professionals see growing benefits – but no substitute for human analysis

Artificial intelligence has arrived in the everyday work of many analysts. A recent survey by the DVFA e. V. shows that it already brings noticeable relief, especially in the creation and structuring of texts – for example, in summaries, minutes or the preparation of Q&A catalogs.

However, the use usually remains selective. Around 70% have so far used AI ad hoc via individual prompts, and fully automated applications are still the exception. Public tools are often deliberately used – not least to protect internal data.

At the same time, reservations remain high. Uncertain data quality, compliance and copyright issues, and potential liability risks are slowing down wider use. For many respondents, it is therefore clear that decision-relevant key figures and evaluations must not be created without human examination.

Christoph Schlienkamp, Head of the DVFA Expert Committee on Artificial Intelligence, explains: "AI is now a productivity tool in many teams. It is crucial that we set up governance and data quality in such a way that speed also becomes reliability."

👉 More about the survey: https://frankfurt-main-finance.com/en/ai-in-financial-analysis-a-newcomer-with-uncertain-potential/

On 4 February, the Future Finance Poland Foundation, represented by Katarzyna Multan, took part in the first working meeting focused on the incorporation into the Polish legal system of the eIDAS 2.0 Regulation and the future shape of the European Digital Identity Wallet.

We would like to thank the organisers - Ministerstwo Cyfryzacji and Centralny Ośrodek Informatyki - for inviting us to take part in this important discussion.

During the meeting, we discussed, among other topics: 🔹 the role of the mObywatel app as a starting point for building a EUDI Wallet compliant with eIDAS 2.0, 🔹 challenges related to system interoperability and data security, 🔹 the need for broad, well-planned user education, 🔹 directions for legislative changes (trust services, identification, AML/KYC), 🔹 open questions around the European Business Wallets and the corresponding market needs.

The incorporation of eIDAS 2.0 is a complex process that requires ongoing dialogue between public administration, businesses, and end users. As a Foundation, we aim to actively support this dialogue by sharing our market experience.

📆 In connection with the ongoing legislative work, we plan to organise market consultations to gather insights from financial institutions, technology providers, and other stakeholders.

📲 Follow us to stay updated on our upcoming activities and take part in the forthcoming consultations.

The first few days in my new role (still) at the Financial Services Development Council have been a reminder of the energy and purpose that defines our financial sector. I am deeply grateful for our colleagues' immediate dive into impactful work, including a series of engagements to share our vision with media partners.

Our mission at FSDC is crystal clear: to advise on shaping a competitive future for Hong Kong's financial services, and to articulate a more compelling narrative of our city's strengths to the world. It is about the principle that a single arrow may break, but a bundle, like our strong Board led by Chairman Benjamin Hung, is unbreakable.

We are building on solid foundations. Our recent paper charts a path for Hong Kong as the "Global Capital Nexus in the Digital Era," a vision currently being enriched by consultations with over 400 executives. A focal point is evolving our Connect schemes to bridge Mainland capital with the world's leading international companies listed here.

Simultaneously, attracting long-term "patient capital" is a priority resonating across the industry. We see a pivotal role in building a viable yield curve to meet the needs of insurers, pension funds, and major projects requiring stable, long-term financing.

And the momentum is tangible. Look at insurance: our re-domiciliation regime is successfully bringing global insurers' headquarters and their key decision-makers to Hong Kong. This is more than symbolism; it is about corporate treasurers managing substantial balance sheets now utilising our full ecosystem, from tax incentives to deep liquidity in risk management tools. Coupled with accelerating captive insurance growth, Hong Kong is solidifying its role as Asia's full-spectrum risk and capital hub.

Our task is to ensure the world sees this dynamism. Through strategic outreach and creative campaigns like personifying "Capital" to show why it chooses Hong Kong, we highlight our core strengths: robust institutions, an open economy, and deep, liquid markets.

Competition never sleeps, but Hong Kong's doors remain wide open to talent, ideas, and capital from across the globe even at a time when "business as unusual".

The journey has just begun, and I am thrilled to be building alongside our Board, our team, and our stakeholders.

As a proud member of the World Alliance of International Financial Centers (WAIFC), Istanbul Financial Center is committed to fostering global financial expertise. We are thrilled to announce the call for the WAIFC Young Academic Award 2026. If you are a researcher under 35, this is your chance to shine within our international network. Submit your work and secure your spot at the Annual Meeting in Busan.

Bridge the gap between research and global finance: https://lnkd.in/dvdc6k7H

🎥 Explainer Video: 'Sustainable at Heart' Award

What does it mean to be 'Sustainable at Heart'? This category of our Sustainable Finance Awards recognises firms where sustainability is embedded across the organisation, not only in product offering, but in culture, operations and decision-making.

In this video, Tom McKenna and Abbie Syvret discuss what the judges are looking for, including: 💚 Authenticity and consistency 💚 Evidence-backed initiatives and outcomes 💚 Responsible business practices, governance and engagement 💚 Long-term sustainability strategy

If sustainability is integral to how your firm operates, rather than something done in isolation, we encourage you to consider entering this award category.

📅 Entry deadline: Friday 27 February 2026 Enter now 👉 https://lnkd.in/e4baPZFv

Driving Rwanda's digital revolution and Africa's broader tech vision, Hon. Paula Ingabire, Minister of ICT and Innovation, inspires change and innovation across the continent.

She has helped shape how governments use technology to deliver services, build innovation ecosystems, and collaborate at continental scale.

Her leadership continues to position Rwanda as a model for leveraging innovation to advance financial inclusion and inclusive growth.

At the Inclusive FinTech Forum #IFF2026, she will speak, offering insights that matter for Africa's digital future and inclusive finance.

Confirm your participation: https://lnkd.in/d9aAnmen

Our latest portfolio article examines how asset valuation has evolved into a central pillar of governance and investor protection within Luxembourg's alternative investment ecosystem. Driven by the rapid growth of alternative and semi-liquid funds, tighter regulatory expectations and increased investor scrutiny, valuation is a critical control function requiring specialised expertise. The growth and diversity of Luxembourg's alternative asset industry has fostered a mature valuation ecosystem and positioned the financial centre as a potential European hub for sophisticated portfolio valuation.

🔗 Read the whole article here: https://lff.social/17fdf3

Earlier today, NIFC Africa and Prudential plc held a strategic engagement to review the progress and discuss proposed and additional incentives aimed at strengthening Kenya's value proposition as a regional financial hub.

As the first certified firm at NIFC Africa, Prudential plc continues to play a catalytic role within the Centre. Our discussions focused on deepening the partnership between our organisations and unlocking collaborative opportunities that support long-term growth and regional competitiveness.

We remain committed to working closely with anchor institutions to advance Nairobi's positioning as a globally competitive International Financial Centre. Learn more about us at www.nifca.go.ke

Web Summit Qatar 2026 saw strong momentum, with applications to license businesses under QFC up by 44% year-on-year. 📈

In total, 2,300+ applications were submitted benefiting from our exclusive Web Summit incentives, including no application fees, waived annual fees and tax credits for the first three years. 315 firms have already been licensed while 1,105 have been qualified and are in the pipeline. 👏

It was a pleasure for us to accompany the Inno-Challenge of the Stiftung Kreditwirtschaft in cooperation with the LBBW again this year. As part of the project, Universität Hohenheim students developed digital business models that support companies in the areas of resilience, security and defence with capital market-oriented financing.

Under the technical direction of Marco Neidhart, the concepts were systematically further developed and then presented to a committee of representatives of LBBW, Stuttgart Financial and the Chair of Banking. For us, the Inno-Challenge is a valuable contribution to the promotion of young talents and to strengthening the innovation dialogue between science and finance.

The results once again illustrate the importance of practical formats in order to introduce future specialists and managers to complex issues of the financial markets and to provide new impetus for the industry.

We are looking forward to further cooperation and the next round of the Inno-Challenge.

Registration is now open for our Future Skills Conference 2026

📅 Thursday 21 May 2026 ⏰ 09:00-13:00 📍 Convene, 200 Aldersgate Street, Barbican, London, EC1A 4HD

Organised with the Financial Services Skills Commission, the conference will cover key themes shaping the future of skills across financial and related professional services through keynote speeches, panel discussions and interactive learning labs. These include: 📣 How disruptive technologies are reshaping the industry. 📣 The skills required to drive change and innovation. 📣 Actions needed to secure the UK's longterm competitiveness as a world-class financial centre.

🔗 Join senior leaders to discuss these themes and more…register now on our website: https://lnkd.in/eVCkJi67

Kenya's outsourcing ecosystem continues to evolve, with the launch of Outsourcing Alliance of Kenya (OAK) marking a significant step forward. As the only Business Services–focused Special Economic Zone in Kenya, TRIFIC SEZ was purpose-built to enable BPOs, GBS providers, and outsourcing firms to scale efficiently through a combination of SEZ incentives, infrastructure, and regulatory support.

We look forward to working alongside OAK members and broader industry stakeholders to support investment, job creation, and the continued growth of Kenya's outsourcing sector.