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As artificial intelligence (AI) appears poised to revolutionize financial services, Andreas Lutz, CEO of global treasury solutions leader Fides, discusses the potential benefits of AI-powered treasury services, using AI to bridge the API connectivity gap with legacy systems and mitigating risks through responsible AI.

Substantial investment in its digital platform positioned Awash Bank to capture growth opportunities driven by Ethiopia’s rapidly increasing demand for mobile and online banking services. Kefyalew Shiferaw, Awash Bank’s Chief, Digital Banking Officer, discusses the bank’s digital strategy and future expansion into new markets.

Corporate treasurers face the challenge of balancing an uncertain economic outlook with increasing demands for environmental, social, and governance (ESG) responsibility. However, financial prudence and a sustainable future can go hand in hand. By integrating sustainability into strategic decision-making, treasurers can harness the tangible business benefits and position their organisations for future success.

When it comes to taking the necessary measures to mitigate the worst effects of climate change, action does not come cheap. Introducing the necessary changes to energy production, ensuring more environmentally methods of production and re-tooling existing industries, for example, will come with significant costs. And, unfortunately, a significant proportion of these costs are going to be borne by those least able to afford them.

When 195 countries signed up to the Paris Agreement in 2015, it seemed the world was finally taking climate change seriously. The commitment to taking the measures necessary to limit the increase in the mean global temperature to a maximum of 1.5 degrees above preindustrial levels seemed a turning point in the fight against climate change.

‘We continue to listen to customer needs,’ says Abdullah Al-Tuwaijri, CEO, Consumer, Private & Digital Banking of Boubyan Bank and board member of Bank of London and The Middle East, the largest Islamic bank in Europe

Acclaimed for its cash management and trade finance expertise, Belfius Bank is leveraging its public-sector experience to innovate corporate transaction banking in Belgium. Koen Vierendeels, Belfius’s Head of Transaction Banking, discusses the customer-centric heart of the bank’s strategy and how its Belgian-market focus is a strong competitive advantage in achieving customer service excellence and navigating risk.

Named “2023 Best Debt Bank in the Middle East” by Global Finance, Kamco Invest is well-positioned to drive innovation and growth in the region's capital markets, says Abdullah AlSharekh, Managing Director of Markets & Investment Banking.

On 30 November, the 2023 UN Climate Change Conference begins in Dubai. With COP28 taking place in the United Arab Emirates, just one year after COP27 in Egypt, the concerns of developing economies will be at the forefront of the global climate agenda.

Foreign exchange trading is, like other investments, susceptible to the volatility that can plague us all in uncertain times. And the past few years have seen more uncertainty than most.

Bank of China has integrated green development throughout its operations – from management and business development to financial products and services – with the goal of helping China achieve peak carbon emissions and carbon neutrality goals.

Following the historic COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Dr Dalia Abdel Kader, CIB Egypt’s Chief Sustainability Officer, discusses significant outcomes that raise the bar for COP28 in Dubai.

To stay competitive and relevant amid shifting business and operational models, large corporates must leverage digitalisation and automation to be nimbler and more responsive, says Joseph Lee, Group Head, Treasury and Working Capital Advisory & Solutioning at DBS.

Corporate treasurers are increasingly assuming the mantle of sustainability as their organisations look to adopt and implement ESG policies and practices.  They have a unique opportunity to contribute to positive social and environmental impact.  

With roots reaching back over 100 years, AMEN Bank is among Tunisia’s most successful and dynamic banks today. Néji Ghandri, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Amen Bank, explains how the bank has sustained its strong position over many decades and continues to bring market-leading innovation in Tunisia’s financial sector.

Vietnam’s banking industry is evolving rapidly driven by a digital transformation that is making everyday banking simple, easy, and convenient for customers across the country. Being at the forefront of this change offers huge potential for growth, says Pranav Seth, Chief Digital Officer at Techcombank.

Africa offers a huge opportunity for positive climate change action and sustainability if done sensibly and collectively. The continent has experienced significant losses and damages attributable to climate change, including drought, biodiversity loss, lower food production, weaker economic growth, and loss of lives. These impacts will exacerbate if global warming is above target but limiting global warming to 1.5°C or below would significantly reduce damages to African economies, agriculture, health, and ecosystems. The African population is heavily exposed to climate impacted sectors with over one-half of the workforce employed in agriculture. 

African governments are developing ambitious adaptation policies aligned with society development goals, and an enabling environment for finance and investment. There has been an increase in framework and climate change laws across Africa, including in Kenya, Egypt, Nigeria, Benin, Uganda and South Africa.

Banks have a vital role in supporting the global transition of the economy to net-zero emissions. Banks stress the need for institutional capacity development, along with regulatory and other policy reforms, to support and accelerate climate finance from domestic and external sources, both public and private, for climate resilience in Africa. 

A leading provider of Sharia-compliant financial solutions in Egypt, ADIB Egypt spearheaded the country’s launch of Sukuk issuance, promising to increase Islamic banking and stimulate economic growth. Mohammed Aly, CEO of ADIB Egypt, discusses the bank’s role in Egypt’s approval of sovereign Sukuk issuance and the anticipated benefits for Sukuk issuers, market liquidity & sustainable finance.