OFFICIAL PUBLICATIONS
HOSTED BY
keynote Speaker
Jonathan Holman
Head of Open Finance for the UAE
Nebras Open Finance
Jonathan Holman
Jonathan Holman is Head of Open Finance for the UAE at Nebras Open Finance, leading the nation’s central Open Finance initiative following his work with the Central Bank of the UAE. A digital executive, technologist, and banking strategist, he has held c-suite roles across digital, strategy, and operations, and has been named among the world’s top 60 fintech leaders multiple times. With a background in mechanical engineering and a master’s in banking management, Jonathan pioneered the use of large-scale social data in AI-driven credit risk modelling. His teams have won nine global awards for banking innovation, and he contributes as a tutor, author, and examiner at Cambridge University and LIBF University College.
Close
Speakers
Ahmed Seleem
Vice President – META
Nexthink
Ahmed Seleem
Ahmed Seleem is the Regional Vice President for the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa (META) at Nexthink, a global leader in digital experience management (DEX) solutions. With over 20 years of experience in the technology sector, he drives Nexthink’s strategic growth across the region, helping enterprises advance their digital transformation journeys through DEX and AI-driven solutions.
In his role, Seleem leads initiatives to strengthen Nexthink’s market presence, accelerate revenue growth, and enhance employee experience for customers across key industries. A seasoned leader, he brings deep market insights and a strong track record of building partnerships that deliver value and innovation.
Close
Aliyu Mohammed Ali
Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder
Ehfaaz
Aliyu Mohammed Ali
Aliyu is one of the region’s most dynamic voices in sustainability and the circular economy. Through Ehfaaz, he has built a 10-solution ecosystem that transforms waste into measurable value, with global partners including L’Oréal, Unilever, and Nestlé.
His work helps organisations achieve ESG goals, comply with new regulations, and unlock new revenue streams. Aliyu’s leadership has been recognised worldwide, from the P&G Alumni Early Achievement Award in Berlin to the GCC Circular Economy Award, and through his participation at COP27, COP28 and COP29.
Close
Esha D'Souza
CEO & Partner
Corporate Group
Esha D'Souza
Esha’s journey in the consulting world commenced at a remarkably early age, giving her 20 years of professional expertise in her career. She first embarked on her career in her father’s auditing firm in India. Through a strong, clear motive to be successful within the consulting landscape, she relentlessly pursued her aspirations, ultimately achieving the prestigious milestone of becoming a Qualified Chartered Accountant. Her academic endeavors paralleled her professional trajectory as worked with top 10 Auditing firms in geographies like Singapore, Qatar and UAE before beginning her entrepreneur journey in the UAE. Her hard work and dedication have resulted in success. Some of these achievements are quite significant awards that have recognized her for her relentless efforts to be a leading consultant in her industry. She has been awarded the best upcoming Corporate Services Provider firm in the region from the Arabian Best of Best of Awards 2022. The UAE Women Leaders Awards also celebrated her with the Award for Emerging Women’s Leaders in 2023. Following that, she was named in the Top 10 Indian Women Leaders in the UAE 2023 by the Women’s Entrepreneur India Magazine and also named the Most Inspiring Leaders to Follow in 2023 by The Enterprise World Magazine. Recently she has led the organization to win the Organizational Transformation Leader of the Year in the Tax and Auditing at the Future Enterprise Awards 2024. She has been a speaker and panelist at various events held by the ICAI Dubai and Abu Dhabi chapter, IIA Chapter in Sharjah, Sri Lankan CA Institute to name a few and various events conducted to improve industry knowledge.
Close
Jorge Carrasco
Managing Director – Blockchain and Digital Assets FTI Consulting
Jorge Carrasco
Jorge Carrasco is a blockchain and Web3 expert with over 15 years of experience in emerging technologies. He has led major enterprise blockchain projects across the Middle East, establishing consortiums in finance, education, and retail, and advising clients from start-ups to multinationals on strategy, product-market fit, and regulatory compliance.
He has worked closely with virtual asset regulators, guiding companies through licensing processes and shaping regulatory initiatives in the region. Previously Director of Emerging Technologies at e& (formerly Etisalat), he designed and deployed solutions in blockchain, robotics, 5G, digital twins, and the metaverse. Earlier in his career, he held senior roles at Fon, Telefónica, and Ericsson.
Close
Kokila Alagh
Founder
KARM
Kokila Alagh
Kokila Alagh, a leading Technology and Corporate lawyer in the Middle East, has nearly two decades of experience. She is recognized as a thought leader in high-risk tech sectors like Virtual Assets, Web3, Gaming, and AI. Kokila’s unique blend of legal expertise and entrepreneurial spirit has positioned KARM Legal Consultants as a top firm in Emerging Tech law. She holds key roles in MENA Fintech Association, Arab Monetary Fund Fintech Working Group, Dubai Digital Asset Association, Middle East Stablecoin Association (MESA), where she heads the Legal & Regulatory Working Group. Her excellence has been acknowledged by Chambers and Partners, Legal 500 EMEA, and various industry awards.
Close
Krishnan Ramachandran
Chief Executive Officer
Barjeel Geojit Financial Services L.L.C
Krishnan Ramachandran
Krishnan Ramachandran brings over 35 years of experience across wealth management, merchant banking, M&A, private equity, and corporate finance. Since 2006, he has led Barjeel Geojit to become one of the UAE’s leading financial intermediaries, securing multiple awards including UTI-CNBC TV18’s Financial Advisor Award (NRI Category) for eight consecutive years and induction into its Hall of Fame. Recognised in the IA 100 – The Industry’s Most Influential list globally and named among the UAE’s Best Brands by the Economic Times, Krishnan is a respected voice on investments, policy, and macro-economic trends, frequently contributing to media and public forums across the region.
Close
Mo Ali Yusuf
Co-Founder and CEO
Fuze
Mo Ali Yusuf
Mo Ali Yusuf is the Co-Founder and CEO of Fuze, a leading digital assets infrastructure provider in MENA. Backed by investors like Galaxy, e& and Further, Fuze enables regulated institutions to integrate digital assets securely and compliantly at scale.
Mo also serves as Co-Chair of the MENA Fintech Association’s Digital Assets Working Group and previously held leadership roles with Checkout.com and VISA.
Close
Monte Safieddine
Head of Research
Capital.com MENA
Monte Safieddine
Monte Safieddine is an economist and market strategist with well over a decade of experience in macroeconomic research, trading analytics, and regional financial market commentary. As Head of Research at Capital.com, he delivers daily insights in eleven languages tailored to both institutional and retail investors covering global macro trends, geopolitical events, and financial market movement across key asset classes. Monte holds a master’s degree in economics from Wayne State University, where he used to teach, and is currently based in Dubai, and is fluent in both English and Arabic.
Close
Mohamed Roshdy Elbastaweesy
Chief Information Officer Reem Finance
Mohamed Roshdy Elbastaweesy
Mohamed Roshdy Elbastaweesy is an accomplished CIO with over 20 years of experience driving technology and business transformation across financial services, conglomerates, real estate, consulting, and software industries. With 15 years in senior leadership roles in the GCC, he has built IT organisations from the ground up, led major digital programmes, and delivered the region’s first conversion of a conventional bank to Islamic banking.
An MBA graduate and Distinguished Ambassador of Manchester Business School Middle East Centre, Roshdy is a recognised FinTech and digital banking contributor in the region. His expertise spans payments, SME finance, BNPL, PropTech, and disruptive technologies including Open Banking, BaaS, Blockchain, AI/ML, IoT, and Big Data. He also serves as a member of the Arab Monetary Fund (AMF) Fintech Working Group.
Fluent in English and Arabic, Roshdy combines strategic vision with deep technical expertise to align innovation with business growth and customer experience.
Close
Nameer Khan
Chairman, MENA Fintech Association & Founder of Fils
Nameer Khan
A globally recognized leader in fintech and sustainability, Nameer is the Chairman of the MENA Fintech Association—ranked among the world’s top four fintech bodies—and Founder & CEO of Fils, a pioneering climate fintech platform. He serves as Honorary Professor and Advisory Board Member at Edinburgh Business School and is an active advisor and investor in fintech ventures.
His work has earned accolades such as:
🌍 Fintech Leader of the Year – Central Banks of the UAE & Oman
🌱 Sustainability Leader of the Year – UAE Ministry of Economy, presented by H.E. Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi
Close
CA Naveen Sharma
Director – Internal Audit
Oasis Investment Company (Al Shirawi Group)
Oasis Investment Company (Al Shirawi Group)
CA Naveen Sharma
CA Naveen Sharma is the Director of Internal Audit at Oasis Investment Company (Al Shirawi Group) with over 26 years of experience in Dubai. He is the Co-founder and Chairman of the UAE’s Taxation Society and the author of two leading books on UAE Corporate Tax. A highly qualified professional, he is a Chartered Accountant, Company Secretary, Chartered Financial Analyst, CPA, CIA, and CISA, among others. Naveen is the Past Chairman of the ICAI UAE Dubai Chapter and has held leadership roles in several business and professional associations. A renowned speaker, he regularly addresses global forums on taxation, governance, and emerging technologies.
Close
Dr. Nilay Ranjan Singh
Chief Executive Officer
State Bank of India, DIFC, Dubai
State Bank of India, DIFC, Dubai
Dr. Nilay Ranjan Singh
Dr. Nilay Ranjan Singh brings over two decades of diverse banking experience across corporate banking, treasury, international finance, and risk management. He has led strategic initiatives that earned him accolades such as the ‘CEO of the Year 2025’ by both the World Marketing Congress and the Middle East Wealth Tech Forum. A multi-disciplinary scholar, Dr. Singh holds a Ph.D. in Management and numerous certifications across finance, compliance, and technology, including CAIIB, CFP, CISA, CAMS, and CISI (UK).
Dr. Singh’s commitment to financial inclusion, leadership development, and the UN SDGs is reflected in his mentorship of startups, training of senior BFSI professionals, and global speaking engagements. Recognized for driving social impact, digital transformation, and brand excellence, Dr. Singh continues to contribute thought leadership through research, publications, and active engagement with academic and industry forums worldwide.
Close
Swethal Kumar
Founder and CEO
Startupscale360
Startupscale360
Swethal Kumar
Swethal Kumar is the founder and CEO of Startupscale360 and co-founder of The Crossroads. A key player in the UAE’s startup ecosystem, he is co-chairman of the Middle East London Business Angels Network, on the steering committee of In5 Tech, and a mentor with platforms like Techstars, Village Capital, and Founder Institute.
A graduate of London Business School and an Indian Chartered Accountant, Swethal brings over two decades of regional expertise. His initiatives include Startupscale360’s role as the national organizer of the Entrepreneurship World Cup in multiple countries and the creation of The Playroom innovation hub. Currently Swethal also manages early stage ClimateTech fund called Catalyst.
Previously with Mubadala Investment Group, he contributed to the launch of Hub71 and now focuses on mobility-driven ventures as an angel investor and VC. Swethal is passionate about scaling startups and driving innovation across sectors.
Close