Demystify Podcast: The growth of fintech in the UAE – Dubai Fintech Summit special
Earlier this month, Dave and Dharm attended the Dubai Fintech Summit, where they spoke to a number of leaders of companies that sit at the heart of the fintech revolution in the UAE and across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) more broadly.
This week, as a Dubai Fintech Summit special, we have four new episodes of the podcast recorded live at the conference.
Each episode offers a unique perspective on financial services in the UAE, but if you listen to them together, you get a real sense of the country’s vibrancy and energy as it looks to become a global fintech and financial technology hub.
The four new podcast episodes include:
- The Hub, with Mohammad Alblooshi, CEO of DIFC Innovation Hub and Fintech Hive
- The Bank, with Mohamed Abdel-Razek, Head of Technology at Mashreq Bank
- The Neobank, with Jayesh Patel, CEO of Wio Bank
- The Start-up, with Roger Rouhana, founder and CEO of Alpheya
So, what are you waiting for? Tune in and listen today!
The Hub, with Mohammad Alblooshi, CEO of DIFC Innovation Hub and Fintech Hive
This episode features a conversation with Mohammad Alblooshi, CEO of DIFC Innovation Hub and Fintech Hive, discussing the rapid growth of Dubai’s fintech ecosystem over the past seven years.
The focus is on creating a supportive environment for fintech start-ups with initiatives like regulatory sandboxes, access to capital, co-working spaces, and talent development. The hub aims to be a global leader in financial innovation, attracting local and global companies.
The episode underscores the pivotal role of collaboration in Dubai’s fintech market. Regulators, government, and industry work together to drive the market, ensuring both safety and growth. This collaborative approach is a key factor in the ecosystem’s stability and growth potential.
The ambition is to establish DIFC as a top player in the global fintech landscape, producing unicorns and attracting big tech companies to leverage the ecosystem. The conversation highlights Dubai as an attractive location for fintech investments and talent, inviting a broader audience to explore the opportunities in the region.
The Bank, with Mohamed Abdel-Razek, Head of Technology at Mashreq Bank
In this episode, Dave and Dharm speak with Mohamed Abdel-Razek, Mashreq’s Head of Technology.
Mohamed shares his tech background, which spanned various industries like telco, oil and gas, and fast-moving consumer goods before joining the financial sector. He discusses bringing insights from other industries into banking technology, focusing on digital transformation at Mashreq. The bank emphasises client experience, utilising digital tools for seamless customer journeys.
Mohamed highlights Mashreq’s adoption of new technologies like AI, ML, and robotics, along with their resilience-focused approach and core banking transformation.
He also discusses the bank’s collaboration with fintechs, the regulatory environment in the UAE, and the country’s digital growth trajectory. Mohamed elaborates on the Agile approach within Mashreq, emphasising the relationships between IT and business units.
Additionally, he shares insights into AI initiatives, the bank’s venture into Egypt and Pakistan, and its corporate stack transformation project.
The Neobank, with Jayesh Patel, CEO of Wio Bank
In this episode, Jayesh Patel, CEO of Wio Bank, shares his insights on establishing a neobank in Dubai.
He discusses the vision behind Wio Bank, focusing on serving tomorrow’s businesses and customers through improved banking apps, embedded finance, and Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS).
Wio’s success lies in focusing on SMEs first, prioritising user experience over technology, and understanding the diverse needs of different business types. Jayesh highlights the importance of customer research, simplicity in financial products, and industry partnerships in order to drive growth.
He emphasises Dubai’s vibrant fintech ecosystem, driven by government initiatives, access to capital, and a diverse talent pool, making it an ideal location for fintech start-ups.
Jayesh’s strategic approach and customer-centric focus have quickly led Wio Bank to profitability, showcasing the potential for growth and innovation in the region’s financial sector.
The Start-up, with Roger Rouhana, founder and CEO of Alpheya
In this episode, Dave and Dharm speak with Roger Rouhana, founder and CEO of Alpheya, a B2B wealthtech platform delivering AI-first solutions to institutional clients.
Roger explains the need for digitalisation in the wealth management sector and discusses the challenges and opportunities in the market, the company’s technology-focused approach, and the choice of ADGM in Abu Dhabi for its operations.
He highlights the optimism and growth opportunities in the Dubai market and provides insights on regulatory comparisons between the US and the UAE, emphasising the collaborative and business-friendly environment in the region.
Overall, the conversation sheds light on Alpheya’s innovative approach, strategic partnerships, and commitment to addressing complex challenges in the financial sector.
Thanks to Orama for editing this podcast. You can find out more about Orama and the services they offer here.
Take a look at the full catalogue of episodes on the Dave & Dharm Demystify Podcast homepage.
