Financial Center News #166

In exactly one month, the World Alliance “family” will meet in Busan, South Korea, for our Annual General Meeting. We are still working on the final touches and logistics, including travel preparations and visa letters for our members. A representative of ANBIMA will most likely have the longest trip: the flight distance from São Paulo to Busan is 18,650 km. Fortunately, it will be much shorter for our Asian members.

🎥Discover the top three papers selected for the World Alliance of International Financial Centers (WAIFC) Young Academic Award 2026.

👉 After reviewing this year’s submissions, we are delighted to announce the Top 3 papers whose authors will have the unique opportunity to present their research during the WAIFC Annual General Meeting in Busan.

🏆 Wiktoria Chrzanowska — SGH Warsaw School of Economics

The Programmable Citadel: International Financial Centers and the Architecture of Global Tokenized Capital Markets

Her work explores the role international financial centers can play in shaping the emerging architecture of tokenized global capital markets. (Alliance Mondiale des Centres Financiers)

🏆 Natalie Playford — University of Toronto

From Gender Rhetoric to Lending Rules: Adoption and Strength of Gender Clauses in Multilateral Development Bank Lending

Her research examines how global commitments on gender equality are translated into concrete lending rules and financial policy instruments. (Alliance Mondiale des Centres Financiers)

🏆 Won Woo — Hanyang University

Supervisory Observability for Agentic Finance: A Cross-border Governance Framework for International Financial Centers

His paper focuses on AI-driven financial systems and proposes a cross-border governance framework for international financial centers in the age of agentic finance. (Alliance Mondiale des Centres Financiers)

⏳ From tokenized capital markets to inclusive development finance and AI governance, these three papers reflect some of the most important transformations currently reshaping the global financial system.

👏 Congratulations to our three finalists. We look forward to welcoming them in Busan, hosted by Busan Finance Center and hearing them present their research to the World Alliance community.

📲 Discover the finalists and their papers here: https://lnkd.in/eFYHXDHR

Coinbase has received Financial Services Permission (FSP) from ADGM’s Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA), establishing its international tokenization hub in ADGM and marking a significant step in the evolution of blockchain-enabled financial services.

The approval provides the regulatory foundation for Coinbase to launch tokenized securities from Abu Dhabi, reinforcing the UAE’s position as a global hub for next-generation financial infrastructure and expanding access to capital markets through responsible innovation.

Read more here: https://lnkd.in/edmrM67g.

🤝 The Astana Finance Days 2026 partner line-up is now complete, and applications for new partnerships have closed.

We thank all the companies and organizations joining AFD this year.

Together with its partners, AFD 2026 will bring key financial topics to the agenda, including capital markets and investment products, regulation and legal infrastructure, financial innovation, financing the real economy, and cross-border cooperation.

Registration for Astana Finance Days 2026 remains open.

Join us in Astana on 9-10 September.

📍 AIFC Venue | 55/18 Mangilik El Avenue, Astana

🌐 astanafindays.org

KAZ Minerals PwC Kazakhstan Anchorage Digital Alif Uzbekistan

We are proud to celebrate our very own Ms. Tonesa Munnings LL.B (Hons.) L.E.C, PHRi, Legal & Policy Officer, on successfully completing the STEP Advanced Certificate in Principles of International Taxation, AML and Compliance — with Distinction.

Tonesa’s achievement is a reflection of her dedication to continuous learning, professional excellence, and the high standards she brings to her work each day.

Congratulations, Tonesa, on this well-deserved accomplishment. We are proud to have you as part of the BFSB team and look forward to seeing all that you continue to achieve.

Busan Finance Center is proud to host the World Alliance of International Financial Centers (WAIFC) AGM Busan 2026, bringing together leaders and innovators from financial centers across the world.

Join us as we connect, collaborate, and discuss the future of global finance, sustainable economic growth, and cross-border financial collaboration.

📍Date: Tuesday, September 15, 2026

📍Time: 15:00 – 18:30 (KST)

📍Location: BNK Busan Bank, 23F Sky Hall

We look forward to welcoming members of the WAIFC and global financial partners to Busan

Special thanks to the WAIFC Secretariat 🤝

Jochen Biedermann Akshu S Campbell-Holt Badr Boussabat

And our partners 👍

Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), AIFC (Astana International Financial Centre), Bahamas Financial Services Board, Casablanca Finance City, DIFC, EnterpriseNGR, FinanceMalta, Frankfurt Main Finance, هيئة الخدمات المالية Oman, Hong Kong Financial Services Development Council, Future Finance Poland, Istanbul Financial Center, Jersey Finance, Kigali International Financial Centre, Luxembourg for Finance, NIFC Africa, Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) Authority, Stuttgart Financial, TheCityUK, and TRIFIC SEZ ANBIMA

Latest data from the International Energy Agency (IEA) highlights critical capital requirements across Nigeria's power and energy sectors.

As Africa's largest economy expands, energy transition, grid modernization, and renewable power infrastructure offer unparalleled entry points for long-term institutional investors.

CFC continues to facilitate structured capital deployment across West African markets.

https://lnkd.in/eZF-v-_Y

DIFC’s Chief Legal Officer, Jacques John Visser, joined Tom Urquhart on Dubai Eye 103.8 Business Breakfast to discuss the latest updates to Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) in DIFC.

The conversation explored how the updated regime for SPVs - known in #DIFC as Prescribed Companies, open eligibility to any applicant to hold assets from around the world, while reinforce DIFC’s position as a leading jurisdiction for efficient holding and structuring vehicles, supported by a proportionate, compliance led regulatory framework.

Watch the interview to learn more about what these updates mean for businesses, investors and family groups.

Mobility Elite Summit 2026

16 October 2026 | Marriott St Julian's, Malta

FinanceMalta is pleased to join the Mobility Elite Summit as a guest speaker. A curated B2B summit of 250 senior delegates, three panel streams and a VIP closing at Noma Floating Island, proud to share Malta's financial services story on the main stage.

Presented by ORBCOM Ltd.

https://lnkd.in/dGJTX9GW See less

‏‏🔵 The #FSA‬ clarifies the implementation of the Board Nomination Form for public joint-stock firms, supporting effective boards, sound governance, and investor protection.

Nearly 300 meters tall, 50 stories high, and Germany’s tallest office building! 🏙️😱

Frankfurt is known for its skyline. But what lies behind the city’s striking towers? With our new video series “Skyline Stories,” we take a look behind the facades of Frankfurt’s skyline. Together with our members, we’re showcasing the stories, people, and unique features behind the iconic towers that define Frankfurt as a financial hub.

We’re kicking things off today with Commerzbank AG and its iconic Commerzbank Tower. Julia Bücher and Timm Zutz took us behind the scenes of Germany’s tallest office building and shared what makes the tower so special.

🌿 Why is the Commerzbank Tower considered the world’s first eco-friendly skyscraper?

🦅 Which species of bird has been nesting on the tower’s roof for nearly 20 years?

🖼️ Where is the world’s largest transportable painting located?

🎥 Enjoy this first glimpse behind the facade of Frankfurt’s skyline!

📢 Professor Marcin Piatkowski joins Future Finance Summit 2026 as a keynote speaker!

We are delighted to announce that Professor Marcin Piątkowski will join the keynote speaker line-up of Future Finance Summit, the flagship conference of Warsaw Finance Week.

Professor Piątkowski is an economist, Professor at Kozminski University, former World Bank Lead Economist for India and China, and the author of the bestselling Europe's Growth Champion. Insights from the Economic Rise of Poland.

This year's Summit is built around one central theme: "Call to Action."

Understanding today's challenges is no longer enough. We need the courage to act, the confidence to embrace innovation, a greater tolerance for calculated risk, and the ambition to turn disruption into opportunity. Together, we will discuss how Poland and Europe can seize this momentum to strengthen their competitiveness and shape the future of finance.

We are proud to welcome Professor Piątkowski to this conversation.

📅 4–5 November 2026 | Warsaw

FinTech Poland Pawel Widawski Piotr Brewiński Katarzyna Multan Anna Bogucka Paweł Bułgaryn

Innovation grows where the right talent, infrastructure and support come together. Türkiye’s investment incentive system helps companies advance research, technology and high impact projects while strengthening long term competitiveness. In this dynamic landscape, Istanbul Financial Center provides a strategic environment for businesses seeking to finance growth, expand regional operations and turn bold ideas into lasting value.

🗽In this edition of IFC Focus: Jersey for the US

Discover the latest enhancements to Jersey's company law framework, tune in to the final episode of our US Private Wealth Network podcast series and explore how blockchain is reshaping the future of alternative investments.

An important milestone unlocked for JALI Finance.

We have signed a financing agreement of over FRW 4.5 billion with the Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD) PLC to expand access to electric motorcycles and support the transition towards cleaner and more sustainable mobility in Rwanda.

We are deeply honored by the confidence that the Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD) PLC has placed in JALI Finance through this investment. For us, this is much more than capital, it is a powerful vote of confidence in our business model, our people, and our commitment to building a sustainable financial institution that creates meaningful impact in Rwanda.

Furthermore, we see this investment as both recognition of what we have achieved and a responsibility to achieve much more. The trust that BRD has placed in us challenges us to maintain the highest standards of governance, financial discipline, innovation and customer service as we scale our asset-financing business and expand access to productive assets for Rwandans.

Money moves around the clock, and treasury has to keep pace. Instant payments, PSD3, and rising cyber and sanctions exposure are pushing finance teams toward real-time liquidity and tighter operational control.

At our digital event Focus on Corporate Finance on 23 September, Nick Ashton, HSBC's Country Head of Global Payment Solutions, and Benoit Nevouet, Bank of America's Managing Director and Branch Manager for Luxembourg, discuss how treasury operations are adapting. Moderated by François Masquelier, CEO of Simply Treasury.

10:00 to 11:00 CEST.

📅 See the full agenda and register now: https://lff.social/cjf

Thank you to our sponsors: A&O Shearman & GSK Stockmann

Biagio Calabrese, Frederic Cassani, Daniela K., Laurent Nittler, Maxim Straus, Yves Cacclin, Lynn Alzin, Mattia Musetti, Sara Pereira, Aurélie Zambeaux

𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗞𝗲𝗻𝘆𝗮’𝘀 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲, 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 & 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺

This morning, NIFC Africa Chairman, CPA Michael Kamiru, MBS, hosted Hon. Abdul Bahari Ali, Chairman of the Technopolis Development Authority (formerly Konza Technopolis Development Authority), for discussions on potential areas of collaboration.

The engagement focused on leveraging the complementary strengths of finance, technology and innovation to position Kenya as a leading regional hub for global capital, startups and technology.

A key area of potential collaboration is the development of fintech and digital finance solutions, creating opportunities to foster innovation, attract capital and strengthen Kenya’s financial services ecosystem.

This collaboration reinforces our vision as the Preferred Financial Gateway into Africa.

One year on from signing our MoU with UK-ASEAN Business Council (UKABC), we're proud of what we've achieved together to strengthen UK-ASEAN ties and showcase industry expertise on key issues including sustainable finance and AI governance. Thanks to UKABC and our members for their continued collaboration.

We're looking forward to building on this momentum through the programmes ahead including full participation at the ASEAN Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governor’s meeting which Singapore will chair in 2027

https://lnkd.in/p/efpaMH3G

There are moments in a career that remind you why the hard work is always worth it.

This week was one of those moments.

Standing on the trading floor of the Nairobi Securities Exchange PLC and witnessing the ringing of the bell to mark the listing of the TRIFIC SEZ Green USD I-REIT was both humbling and deeply emotional.

The ceremony lasted only a few minutes, but it represented years of vision, perseverance, difficult decisions, long days, late nights and an unwavering belief that Kenya can continue to innovate and lead in capital markets.

As CEO of TRIFIC SEZ, I have been relatively quiet on LinkedIn over the past few months because our team was fully immersed in delivering this milestone. Every meeting, presentation and regulatory engagement was focused on one objective - successfully bringing this transaction to market.

And what a result:

✅ An oversubscribed offer.

✅ A successful listing.

✅ A new chapter for Kenya's capital markets.

This is also another important milestone in positioning Kenya as a destination for sustainable investment and international capital.

Achievements like this are never about one individual.

I am incredibly grateful to the outstanding TRIFIC SEZ team - Ann Warigia Ndungu, Mwau Brian, Magda Baghazal, Peter Ngore, Mary Gaitho, Mercy Masavi, Bellavin Wang'ombe and Mellisa Waihuini. Your professionalism, resilience and commitment turned an ambitious vision into reality. It has been a privilege to work alongside each of you.

My sincere appreciation also goes to our parent company, Centum Investment Company Plc. Investment Company PLC, led by James Mworia and the incredible support from Fred Murimi Ngari, Bob Kinyanjui, Gladys Waigi, Martin Mumo and CS Miriam Kahiro for its vision and unwavering support.

A special thank you to our financing partner, Vantage Capital, whose confidence in TRIFIC SEZ and long-term partnership have been instrumental in supporting our growth. Their investment helped lay the foundation for this landmark transaction.

Thank you to our Board, led by Chairman Njee Muturi, for your guidance and confidence throughout this journey.

To our advisers and partners - KCB Investments Bank, Nabo Capital, KN Law LLP, NCBA Group, Custody & Registrars (C&R) Group; Broll Property Group (Pty) Ltd , PwC Kenya, Axis Realtors and AIB-AXYS AFRICA - thank you for your expertise, dedication and partnership.

To the Capital Markets Authority - Kenya, Nairobi Securities Exchange PLC , Special Economic Zones Authority, and everyone who believed in this vision - thank you for your support.

The bell may have rung, but this is not the finish line.

It is the beginning.

Our mission remains unchanged: to build a globally competitive business services Special Economic Zone, attract world-class enterprises, create meaningful jobs, deepen Kenya's capital markets and demonstrate that African innovation can compete on the global stage.

To everyone who has walked this journey with us - Thank you.

Onwards and upwards!