Financial Center News #156

Earlier today, I presented our work at the World Alliance and various options for measuring and improving the performance of financial centers at an Exclusive Round Table Networking Evening in GIFT City, Gujarat, by invitation of the Knowledge Chamber of Commerce and Industry. There is a strong interest in further developing GIFT City, particularly in FinTech, which is excellent news. I hope they will soon join our World Alliance family of like-minded international financial centers.

Last Friday, TheCityUK held its Future Skills Conference 2026, in partnership with the Financial Services Skills Commission, to discuss the evolving skills landscape and the talent challenges and opportunities. Having a dedicated conference on this crucial topic underscores London’s role as a leading financial center. At the World Alliance, we focused on this topic extensively last year, with the support of Luxembourg for Finance. Here you can download the report if you missed it: https://financial-centers.org/publications/WAIFC%20Talent%20Report.pdf

🤝 Our May newsletter is now available!

🎙️ This month’s VOICES interview features Tshepidi Moremong, COO Africa50, sharing a powerful perspective on Africa’s economic transformation and the strategic role international financial centers can play in shaping the continent’s future.

From infrastructure financing and regulatory modernization to digital sovereignty, AI, tokenization, and cross-border capital flows, the discussion highlights why Africa is not simply emerging — but actively transforming.

🗣️“One of Africa’s greatest opportunities is that many of our financial systems are still evolving, allowing the continent to adopt more agile and forward-looking regulatory frameworks around digital assets, tokenization, fintech, and cross-border payments.” — Tshepidi Moremong.

📲The newsletter is now available: https://lnkd.in/eqeEcj_4

Another memorable edition of LINK brought the ADGM community together on Al Maryah Island, in partnership with Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank.

What makes LINK special is the atmosphere it creates: leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators and professionals coming together in one space to strengthen relationships and contribute to the continued growth of Abu Dhabi’s financial ecosystem.

We look forward to welcoming the community again soon!

Registration for Astana Finance Days 2026 is officially open!

On September 9-10, 2026, AFD will once again become a global platform for financial dialogue, bringing together industry leaders, investors, international organizations, fintech companies, and business representatives from around the world.

Astana Finance Days is an international platform that unites more than 5,500 participants from over 80 countries, including leading financial institutions and major international companies with more than $1.5 trillion in assets under management.

Astana Finance Days offers access to high-level international networking, the latest financial market trends, investment opportunities, and real business deals.

Register now: 🌐 https://lnkd.in/dkqfUsf

📍 September 9-10, 2026 | Astana | AIFC Venue

BFSB hosted its latest Industry Conversations executive forum on May 7, bringing together senior leaders from across the financial services industry for a timely discussion on “The Future of FX & CFDs in The Bahamas,” sponsored by BIFCI.

The session explored the evolving global landscape for FX and CFD markets, opportunities for growth and innovation within The Bahamas, and the importance of collaboration as the industry continues to develop.

Thank you to BIFCI and all executives who participated in the discussion and networking session. We look forward to continuing these important industry conversations.

Relive the highlights of the 9th Casablanca Arbitration Days!

For two days, Casablanca was the epicenter of international legal and financial expertise. The 9th edition of Casablanca Arbitration Days brought together more than 350 top-tier legal practitioners, arbitrators, and corporate leaders around a shared vision: Globalising Morocco's Dispute Resolution Ambitions.

We were honored by the presence and insights of H.E. Abdellatif Ouahbi, Minister of Justice, alongside an exceptional lineup of renowned global speakers who shared their expertise on the evolving landscape of arbitration and institutional practices.

A key highlight of the event was also the signing of a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Casablanca International Mediation and Arbitration Centre (CIMAC) and the Singapore International Dispute Resolution Academy (SIDRA) strengthening cross-border cooperation.

A huge thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of the event.

👉 Watch the recap video below to immerse yourself in the highlights of the event.

Wishing you and your loved ones a blessed Eid filled with joy, peace and togetherness.

Eid Mubarak from DIFC.

[ Mauritius and Côte d'Ivoire Strengthen Financial Ties to Boost Capital Flows and Business Expansion ]

ABIDJAN, IVORY COAST – May 21, 2026 | The Economic Development Board kicked off its high-level tour focused on financial services in Abidjan by hosting an exclusive Business Forum aimed at intensifying bilateral investment flows and strengthening economic ties between these two financial powerhouses.

Under the theme “Mauritius: A Strategic Platform for the Growth of Ivorian Capital and Its International Expansion,” the forum brought together senior executives, asset managers, institutional investors, and business leaders to explore sophisticated cross-border investment structures. As the economic powerhouse of French-speaking West Africa seeks high-impact capital injections and rigorous risk mitigation mechanisms, Mauritius’ International Financial Centre (IFC) positions itself as the ideal jurisdiction for structuring investments and facilitating regional expansion.

Presentations and discussions focused on leveraging Mauritius’s extensive and sophisticated business environment, its investor protection mechanisms, and its robust regulatory framework to secure the growth of Ivorian businesses.

The event brought together Ivorian business leaders, including Mr. Faman Touré, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Côte d’Ivoire (CCI-CI), Ms. Nadine Bla, Vice President of the CCI-CI, Mr. Thierry Badou, Director of Investment Attraction at the Investment Promotion Center of Côte d’Ivoire (CEPICI), and Mr. Frédéric Lam, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Mauritius in Côte d’Ivoire. The forum was also honored by the presence of Mr. Patrick Olivier Daipo, Deputy Chief of Staff at the Ministry of Commerce of the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire.

The EDB and the Mauritian delegation look forward to strengthening their ties with the Ivorian business community.

Mauritius International Financial Centre | Mauritius Africa FinTech Hub | Mauritius Finance

Data is untapped gold until it is refined into insight.

The State of Enterprise Report is a detailed deep-dive into Nigeria’s Financial and Professional Services (FPS) sector, offering structured insights, sectoral analysis, and policy recommendations that help make sense of the shifts shaping the economy.

It goes beyond numbers, translating movement across the 9 sub-sectors into a clearer picture of where the sector is headed, and what it means for growth and competitiveness.

The insights are ready. The signals are clearer than ever.

Join the waitlist to gain early access when the report goes live.

Click the link below to join the waitlist

https://lnkd.in/eytkVfPB

#StateOfEnterprise #SOE2026 # FPS

FinanceMalta was in Warsaw last week at PE Insights Poland & CEE, engaging with private equity professionals from across the region and highlighting Malta’s proposition as a jurisdiction for fund structures, EU passporting, market access, and competitive operational setup.

Thank you to everyone who connected with the delegation during the conference.

‏‏A new national accomplishment in Oman’s #CyberSecurity‬ journey 🇴🇲🔐‬‬

‏The Information Security Team at the #FSA‬ successfully identified 3 critical security vulnerabilities in the OpenClaw system and published them via the internationally recognized CVE platform for documenting and classifying cybersecurity vulnerabilities.‬‬

‏This accomplishment showcases the capabilities of national talent in proactive monitoring, emerging technology risk analysis, and strengthening the security of digital systems and technologies at the international level.

‏

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲, 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗮𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗢𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀

Hong Kong, as a Super-Connector, bridges people, ideas and opportunities, from around the world.

This year, the World Finance Forum brought its Annual Conference to Hong Kong, convening global financial leaders, central bankers and economists to discuss key issues shaping the international financial systems.

The Forum, with the #FSDC as a Strategic Partner, featured distinguished speakers including Mr Christopher Hui, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, renowned economist Dr Nouriel Roubini, Mr Ananth Ramachandran, Regional Head of East Asia at First Abu Dhabi Bank, and many more.

FSDC’s Executive Director, Dr Rocky Tung, delivered a keynote highlighting Hong Kong’s strong position as a multi-asset, multi-currency capital formation hub connecting global capital. He also underscored the city’s potential to strengthen its #IFC role through strategic initiatives like developing a commodity trading ecosystem.

Ten years after the Brexit referendum, it is clear that Frankfurt has capitalized on the opportunities presented by this change.

On June 23, 2016, a majority of the British public voted for the United Kingdom to leave the EU. This had far-reaching consequences for all of Europe, and for the financial sector in particular.

For Frankfurt as a financial center, the interim assessment is positive. Since 2016, approximately 15,000 additional jobs have been created, international banks have expanded their presence, and an additional €1.3 trillion in banking assets have been booked in Frankfurt.

For Frankfurt, Brexit was not only a turning point but also a catalyst for growth, internationalization, and the strategic development of the financial center. Today, Frankfurt is more connected, more international, and more important to the financing of the German and European economies than ever before.

During our press conference today, FMF President Oliver Behrens, Tobias (Toby) Vogel, Chairman of the Board of VIB - Association of International Banks in Germany, and Dr. Bastian Bergerhoff, City Treasurer of Frankfurt am Main, drew a positive interim conclusion. Frankfurt has capitalized on the opportunities presented by Brexit and asserted its role as a leading financial center in the European Union.

At the same time, it is clear that this development is not yet complete. New regulatory initiatives such as CRD IV and European competition are opening up further opportunities for growth, innovation, and investment.

Many thanks to all our partners who have helped shape this journey over the past ten years. Here’s to the next ten years!

👉 The full press release and our presentation with all figures and developments can be found here: https://lnkd.in/dF-aK3pt

Join us for the official launch of the report “Digital Assets, Real Economy. The Potential of Financial Instrument Tokenization in Poland and Implementation Recommendations”.

📅 June 11

🕘 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM

📍 Future Finance Poland Foundation, Koszykowa 8, Warsaw

🇵🇱 The event will be held in Polish

The publication is a key outcome of the work carried out within the Digital Assets specialization, developed in partnership with Accenture Poland. The report offers a comprehensive perspective on the tokenization of financial instruments - covering technology, business models, legal barriers, and concluding with practical implementation recommendations addressed to public administration and market stakeholders.

The report was created with the involvement of experts from Accenture Poland, Bird & Bird, Grupa KDPW, Warsaw Stock Exchange (GPW), Bank Pekao S.A., and PKO Bank Polski.

Kurban Bayramınızı en içten dileklerimizle kutlar; sevdiklerinizle birlikte sağlık, huzur ve mutluluk dolu nice bayramlar dileriz.

Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful, peaceful, and blessed Eid al-Adha. Eid Mubarak!

🚀 Calling all Fund Managers and Aspiring Fund Managers in Rwanda!

Kigali International Financial Centre (KIFC), with support from Luxembourg Cooperation, is pleased to launch the Rwanda Fund Manager Diagnostic and Support Program.

The fund manager support program is a structured, merit-based initiative designed to identify and support high-potential local and aspiring fund managers in Rwanda.

Rwanda continues to position itself as a preferred fund domicile and financial hub for Africa through KIFC, and strengthening the ecosystem of locally anchored fund managers remains central to realizing that vision.

Implemented by I&P Ecosystems, a pioneering African impact investor with more than 20 years of experience supporting emerging fund managers across the continent, the program will provide selected participants with:

🔍 An independent diagnostic assessment covering governance, investor relations,

ESG, compliance, and risk management.

🤝 Tailored technical assistance designed around specific needs and development priorities.

📊 An LP-informed perspective on investment readiness, grounded in real investor

expectations.

🗺️ A clear growth roadmap through a costed and time-bound capacity-building plan for your next stage of development.

This is a unique opportunity to access targeted, high-quality support aligned with your

current stage and long-term ambitions as a fund manager.

📅 Application deadline: 12 June 2026

📥 Apply here: Application Form Link https://lnkd.in/dHmEd_cd

Last week, LFF hosted a series of events in Switzerland, bringing together leading voices from the financial industry in Zurich and Geneva.

The program included networking receptions in both cities and a dedicated Digital Assets Workshop in Zurich. We were honored to welcome Luxembourg’s Minister of Finance, Gilles Roth, alongside a distinguished line-up of speakers and participants who contributed to insightful discussions on the Luxembourgish-Swiss relationship, the future of finance and digital assets.

A big thank you to everyone who joined us, we look forward to seeing you again soon!

The Nairobi International Financial Centre Authority and Astana International Financial Centre Authority have signed an MoU during President William Ruto's State Visit to Kazakhstan, establishing a financial corridor linking Africa, Central Asia and Eurasian markets.

The agreement supports Nairobi's positioning as a hub for fund domiciliation, private equity, climate finance and digital financial services. NIFCA simultaneously certified twelve new firms across asset management, fintech, climate finance and investment advisory under its Category A and B frameworks, including VALR CAPITAL, Afrex Technologies Limited and Etica Capital Ltd.

https://lnkd.in/dJRK9PHE

As we celebrate Eid Al-Adha, we extend our warmest wishes to you and your families.

May this blessed occasion bring you happiness, harmony, and hope. 🕋 ✨

Last week we held our Future Skills Conference 2026 in partnership with the Financial Services Skills Commission, and kindly sponsored by KPMG UK, Lloyds Banking Group and Nationwide Building Society.

The conference was a great opportunity to discuss how disruptive technologies are reshaping financial and related professional services, and the skills and actions needed to harness this change.

Over 200 senior delegates from across the industry, policymaking, the regulators and academia heard from a fantastic line-up of speakers and panellists and were able to engage with two interactive learning labs focused on upskilling in AI and accelerating AI adoption to support the skills transition.

Thank you to our speakers Tessa Griffiths CBE, Joint Chief Executive Officer, Skills England; Rohan Lee, Director of Financial Services, HM Treasury; and Mark Hoban, Chair, Financial Services Skills Commission.

And thanks also to our great panellists who covered themes such as how disruptive technologies will change our industry and workforce, and how to turn skills strategy into action.

To catch up on the conversations from across the day, all sessions are available to watch now on our website: https://lnkd.in/ewyzQnzT

The real estate investment landscape is evolving, moving toward more structured, liquid, and accessible vehicles like Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and Special Economic Zone (SEZ) leverage.

Join us in partnership with @TheAbojani for an intellectual dive into how institutional and retail investors can position themselves for fractional and structured real estate growth with the TRIFIC Green USD Denominated I-REIT. Our distinguished panel features: Our CEO, Brenda Mbathi, Fredrick Murimi, Managing Partner, Centum Capital Partners Ltd and the moderator, Claire Munde, Media Personality.

Whether you are a seasoned investor or looking to diversify your corporate or personal portfolio, this conversation will provide actionable insights into market trends, regulatory frameworks, and USD-yield structures.

Save the date and set your reminder here: https://lnkd.in/dAfbFKTf and learn more about the TRIFIC I-REIT here: https://lnkd.in/d8mb63rF