Chloe Domat

Regional expansion boosts profits, and positions banks for further growth. 

Morocco acts as a stepping stone between two continents.

After years of easy money, central banks are tightening up—some more quickly than others. Global Finance grades their performance in the face of the past year’s rising inflation. 

Governor Basel Al-Haroon of the Central Bank of Kuwait talks about rising oil prices and diversity within the banking sector.

Governor Saddek Elkaber of the Central Bank of Libya discusses the challenges of volatile oil revenue and rising inflation.

Hassan Abdalla's main challenge will be to contain soaring inflation and balance foreign exchange rates.

Gulf states are diversifying their economies and betting big on tech.

One of the biggest challenges for Tarek Amer’s successor will be balancing austerity and boosting citizens' purchasing power.

Ali H. Khalil, CEO of Kuwait Financial Centre “Markaz”, speaks to Global Finance about the effects of the Ukraine conflict and advancements in fintech.

As the Ukrainian conflict blows up, the GCC economies hit the jackpot.

Faisal AlHaroun is managing director of Tap Payments Kuwait and senior vice president of Tap Payments Global. He speaks to Global Finance about the evolution of fintech and its customers in the MENA region.

The GCC remains a small player in global fintech, but institutional support and capital availability encourage growth.

Saudi Arabia is looking to acquire a stake in British luxury car brand Aston Martin but such a move could damage the company's reputation.

Crown Prince Mohammed ben Zayed al Nahyan has been the de facto ruler of the petro-monarchy since the former president suffered a stroke in 2014.

Salah al-Fulaij, vice chairman of NBK Capital and CEO of NBK-Kuwait, discusses winning the high-net-worth and youth markets.

Knee-deep in a terrible financial crisis, Lebanese citizens leverage new technologies to circumvent a broken banking system. 

The Middle East is ready to unleash its potential. 

Abdulla Mubarak Al-Khalifa, Group CEO of Qatar National Bank, talks to Global Finance about the bank’s internal growth and outlook for the year.

Nasser Al-Awadhi, CEO of ADIB, speaks to Global Finance about his new leadership position and future growth for the bank.

Mohammed Ali Al Shorafa, chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, discusses the emirate’s plans for growth.

Tony Cripps, CEO of SABB, discusses the benefits of the financial sector’s ongoing transformation.

The public and private sectors are pushing hard to boost the adoption of digital payments.

In 50 years, the UAE has gone from a desert with a small pearl fishing industry to one of the wealthiest economies in the world. 

Before obtaining a new license, Standard Chartered tried several times to buy out a local lender.

Sharifa Al-Sulaity, co-founder of e-commerce startup Thuna, talks to Global Finance about the launch and growth of her digital shoe business.

Kuwait responded swiftly to the pandemic, but political feuds are slowing the reform agenda and increasing macroeconomic vulnerabilities.

A growing number of local family-owned businesses are floating shares alongside major state assets.

Across the GCC, banks are grappling with changing expectations driven by the new possibilities offered by technology.

Thanks to a smooth management of the pandemic, higher oil prices and increased production, the Arab world’s biggest economy is rebounding with vigor.

Adel Al-Majed, Group CEO of Boubyan Bank, honored for his Outstanding Contribution to Islamic Finance, speaks to Global Finance about Islamic finance and new digital developments.

Local banks become attractive alternatives to offshoring funds.

As Saudi Arabia opens up to foreign banks, Western lenders are rushing to obtain licenses.

Global Finance was live in Dubai to host the 2021 Middle East Digital Banks and Innovators Awards Dinner.  

The industry is a prime part of Qatar’s economic-diversification strategy.

Thanks to a successful vaccination campaign and higher energy prices, the country’s future looks bright. 

Africa’s third-biggest country gets ready for digital financial inclusion. 

As economies start to grow again, central bankers face the tricky question of when to ease off the gas—or even tap the brakes. 

Abdellatif Jouahri, Governor of Central Bank of Morocco, speaks about post-Covid plans and economic reform with Global Finance.

In the aftermath of the pandemic and plummeting oil prices, GCC banks are looking to scale abroad, acquire new customers and grow globally.

Ahli United Bank CEO Adel El-Labban discusses business and Bahrain’s current economic challenges.

GCC countries are selling prime assets to fund economic transition.

Sunil Kaushal, Standard Chartered’s regional CEO for Africa and the Middle East, talks about upcoming changes for the bank and how it is faring coming out of the pandemic.

Gypto Pharma City will start by producing Covid-19-related medication and treatments for chronic illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension and heart disease.

The Middle East’s Best Banks went above and beyond through the crisis.

The kingdom is betting on foreign investment and clean energy to restart its economy.

Sheikh Waleed K. Al Hashar, CEO of Bank Muscat, discusses the challenges of operating during the pandemic and how Omani banks will meet customer needs going forward.

Jean-Christophe Durand, CEO of the National Bank of Bahrain (NBB), discusses the impact of Covid-19, fintech and the prospects for further banking consolidation.

Adel Al Majed, Boubyan Bank CEO and vice chairman, talks to Global Finance about the impact of the pandemic on the bank and how business will endure.

Bassel Gamal, Group CEO of Qatar Islamic Bank, talks to Global Finance about the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on banking and the future of the World Cup.

While most countries are stuck with lock-downs to smother the pandemic, the UAE chose to remain open. Will the gamble pay off economically?