We sit down with Maha Alsadi, the Head of Regulatory Affairs of the QFC Authority, to discuss the exciting developments in the fintech landscape of Qatar and the broader Middle East region. Discover how Qatar is positioning itself as a hub for fintech innovation, with initiatives like the Qatar Investment Authority’s Fund of Funds program, which has allocated over a billion dollars to support startups and venture capital in the fintech space.

Maha also shares insights into the various fintech categories currently thriving in Qatar, including Buy Now, Pay Later, crowdfunding, insurtech, and the use of blockchain technology. We delve into the challenges regulators face in keeping pace with rapidly evolving technologies and how Qatar is adopting a collaborative approach with local and regional regulators to ensure a balanced regulatory framework. Learn about the importance of international standards and the principle-based, risk-based approach that Qatar is taking to foster innovation while ensuring consumer protection.

As we look to the future, we explore the potential impact of emerging technologies like AI and quantum computing on the financial services sector. Maha emphasizes the need for ongoing dialogue between regulators and the industry to navigate these changes effectively.

On this episode, We sit down with Dr. Amira Abdelaziz, Senior Advisor for Data Science and Advanced Analytics at the Central Bank of Egypt and a Council Member of Global Women in AI.

Dr. Abdelaziz discusses how the Central Bank of Egypt is leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and data science to enhance monetary policy intelligence and economic stability. She shares fascinating insights into projects like GDP forecasting, inflation trends monitoring, and understanding the informal economy through advanced analytics.

We also explore the critical issue of gender representation in the AI workforce, where only 26% are women. Dr. Abdelaziz emphasizes the importance of support systems, mentorship, and continuous education for women in tech. She encourages women to engage with international communities and develop their skills to thrive in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.

Additionally, we delve into the significance of collaboration among central banks and financial institutions in leveraging AI and data science for better economic insights.

In this episode, we sit down with Glauber Mota, the CEO of Revolut Brazil, to discuss the exciting expansion of Revolut into the UAE market and the rapid growth of their services in Brazil.

Glauber also shares insights into the competitive landscape of financial services in Brazil, the importance of credit in the local culture, and how Revolut is adapting to meet customer needs. We explore the innovative payment infrastructure in Brazil, including the PIX system, and how it serves as a model for financial inclusion.

Glauber also discusses the similarities and differences between the financial technology markets in Brazil and Saudi Arabia, the potential of blockchain and tokenization, and the lessons learned from various regions that can be applied locally.