Financial Center News #167

I am pleased to see our member, the Hong Kong FSDC, active in New York City to connect US financial leaders and investors with the highly successful Hong Kong financial ecosystem. Despite all the geopolitical tensions, this is undoubtedly the right path to take. Ultimately, it’s all about risk and return.

If you’re not yet fully convinced by the hype surrounding AI (or if you’d like to get involved), you should attend our workshop on August 27. We’ll discuss how financial institutions can turn investments in AI into measurable returns and how financial centers can support them in doing so. See below for details.

[ World Alliance Worskhop 🎥] 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗱𝗼 𝘄𝗲 𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝗔𝗜 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻𝘀? 🤖

🗣️Join the World Alliance Expert Workshop, “From AI spend to AI returns: Building the trust and business case for AI adoption,” led by Dr Ashish Kakar

We’ll explore how trust, a credible business case and financial centres can help move AI from experimentation to meaningful value. The session aims to explore:

✅ 95% of AI pilots deliver nothing. What do the other 5% do differently?

✅ What is a trusted AI adoption path, and how can financial centers build the trust framework?

✅ Which use cases have delivered ROI in corporations – and which have failed?

✅ What are the current challenges holding back AI adoption, and how can the financial sector overcome them

✅ How can financial centers be the catalyst for AI’s growth and support its financial institutions in delivering ROI?

📅 27 Aug 2026 🕑 14:00–15:00 CET / 13:00–14:00 UK

📲Register via this link to participate: https://lnkd.in/eydyQkKJ

Reem Island. Built for IMAX.

💼 Capital Markets will be one of the key tracks at Astana Finance Days 2026, bringing together investors, issuers, asset managers, market professionals and businesses looking to raise capital.

🔐 The program will cover global investment trends, the development of Kazakhstan’s securities market, opportunities to raise for raising capital in international markets, Islamic financial instruments, and the potential of local investment funds.

🔊For international participants, the track is an opportunity to hear how Kazakhstan’s capital market is evolving, explore regional investment opportunities and connect with market participants operating through the Astana International Financial Centre, Kazakhstan’s financial hub.

Zhuldyz Jumadilova, Head of Communications at the Astana International Exchange - AIX, invites investors, issuers, corporate representatives, analysts and business media to join the Capital Markets sessions at AFD 2026.

📅 9-10 September 2026

📍 Astana, Kazakhstan, AIFC venue, 55/18 Mangilik El Avenue

🌐 Register at astanafindays.org

📱 The full program, session schedule and meeting-booking feature are available in the Astana Finance Days 2026 app on the App Store and Google Play.

What is the foundation of modern wealth management for multi-generational families?

Speaking at the Bahamas Global Wealth Summit back in April, Delphino Gilbert Cassar (“Gil”) of Equity Bank Bahamas Limited provided insights into why individuals need to consider the ‘kaleidoscope of options’ for comprehensive planning.

"Succession planning and business continuity are truly the foundation of wealth management...persons are thinking multi-generational in their vision, and they're looking for a kaleidoscope of options."

We are looking forward to exploring this theme further in our next Global Wealth Journal under the title ‘Modern Wealth: Stability, Structure and the New Architecture of Global Finance.’

Watch Gil's full interview for more perspectives on holistic wealth strategies below ⬇️

Driven by structural reforms and market liberalization, Ethiopia is consolidating its position as a primary growth driver in East Africa.

Following recent parliamentary developments, ongoing political stability creates a firm anchor for international investors expanding into telecom, logistics, and manufacturing sectors across the Horn of Africa.

https://lnkd.in/eYpN8qgC

DIFC Academy and the Ministry of Finance, UAE have entered a partnership to advance the capabilities of the next generation of financial leaders and advisers.

Through the Certified Chief Finance Director Programme and Certified Financial Consultant Programme, participants will develop expertise across leadership, artificial intelligence, financial analysis, strategic planning and advisory, combining globally benchmarked education with the evolving demands of the financial sector.

The partnership reflects a shared commitment to strengthening national talent, advancing institutional excellence and building future-ready capabilities that support the UAE’s long-term economic competitiveness.

Enforcement alone will not win Nigeria's insurance market, but it can help close one of the industry's biggest gaps.

Nigeria has over 11 million cars, yet fewer than 3.5 million are currently captured in the insurance industry's database. This gap points to both a challenge and a significant opportunity to deepen insurance penetration and engagement across the country.

Ebelechukwu Nwachukwu, MD/CEO of Rex Insurance Limited and newly appointed Chairman of the Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA), shares her perspective on what it will take to bridge this gap and bring insurance closer to the scale of the market it serves.

At EnterpriseNGR, we bring together the leaders shaping Nigeria's Financial and Professional Services sector to examine the challenges, opportunities and pathways to progress.

Watch the full conversation here: https://lnkd.in/ezwjZ8vm

New episode of The FinTalks is live: Taxation in Malta: An Overview.

FinanceMalta speaks with Rachel Zarb Cousin, President of the MALTA INSTITUTE OF TAXATION, about the main tax schemes and changes currently in play, and what they mean for businesses and professionals in the financial services sector.

Listen: https://lnkd.in/eyXdXEhf

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗨.𝗦. 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗛𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗞𝗼𝗻𝗴’𝘀 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻-𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺

#FSDC Board Member Ms Aveline San recently shared insights with U.S. financial leaders and investors in New York, highlighting Hong Kong’s economic momentum and its expanding role as a hub for capital markets, wealth management, and new cross-border corridors. She also underscored Hong Kong’s innovation-driven financial ecosystem — including advancements in #Fintech and #DigitalAssets — which is unlocking new investment opportunities.

Ms San outlined FSDC’s efforts in advancing international connectivity and collaboration, reinforcing Hong Kong’s position as a global gateway for financial innovation and cross-border investment.

Solaris SE seeks to establish new office in Frankfurt

The Banking-as-a-Service provider Solaris SE plans to shift its operational focus from Berlin to Frankfurt. As part of a restructuring, the fintech company will relocate key functions to Frankfurt while downsizing or closing its remaining domestic and international locations.

Frankfurt Main Finance e.V. congratulates Solaris on this decision, which confirms and enhances the attractiveness of Frankfurt as a financial center.

Source: Finanz-Szene, 17.08.2026, Berlin adé – Solarisbank will etliche Schlüssel-Positionen in Frankfurt ansiedeln (Goodbye, Berlin – Solarisbank Plans to Relocate Several Key Positions to Frankfurt; https://lnkd.in/e57dSA4R)

The Istanbul Financial Center, which bridges Istanbul’s rich commercial heritage with the business world of the future, brings together visionary institutions with global ambitions under one roof.

Discover the opportunities the Istanbul Financial Center has to offer: https://ifm.gov.tr/basvur

We are delighted to be sponsoring AYU’s exclusive private dining events in Geneva and Zurich on Wednesday 9 September and Thursday 10 September 2026.

Our Head of Funds, Elliot Refson, and Director – UK, Robert Moore TEP will be attending both events. Where discussions will spotlight how Jersey’s approach reflects its maturity as a digital assets jurisdiction, underscored by the Tokenization of Real-world Asset Guidance.

We look forward to bringing together industry experts, investors and advisers on the forefront of financial innovation.

For more information visit our website: https://jsy.fi/4xQ0Z9j

As conversations around Africa’s investment, financing and global competitiveness gain momentum, collaboration among the continent’s financial centres is increasingly important.

With KIFC assuming leadership of the Africa Roundtable of Financial Centres (ARFC), we look forward to contributing to stronger connections and a more resilient African financial ecosystem.

Read the full story: https://lnkd.in/dVaUyivk

World Alliance of International Financial Centers (WAIFC) | NIFC Africa | Casablanca Finance City | EDB Mauritius | TRIFIC SEZ

A career in finance doesn't have to mean choosing between international reach scope and quality of life.

In Luxembourg, a strong professional environment, international exposure and opportunities for growth go hand in hand with a high quality of life, free public transport and nature that’s never far away.

👉 Discover more about living and working in Luxembourg on MoveToLux: https://lff.social/9oz

Discover the NIFC Africa's mandate and how we are shaping Nairobi as Africa’s Capital of Capital.

Learn more at nifca.go.ke.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗡𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗶.

The Trading Bell Maina Chege

Meet AtriaGem, a QFC firm using AI to make finding the right ring size simpler and more precise. 💍

Through its AI-powered sizing technology, AtriaGem is helping jewellery brands bridge the gap between the in-store and digital shopping experience, allowing customers to determine their ring size using just a mobile device. 📱

In the latest episode of Echoes of Success, CAMILLE MERRE كميل مير AtriaGem shares the company’s journey and how Qatar’s growing innovation ecosystem is supporting its ambitions.

Female Founders Scholarship: We introduce you to our jury! ✨

Today: Karin Pfisterer.

Karin is a business psychologist and deputy chairwoman of the board of Startup Stuttgart e.V. 🚀

She supports the Female Founders Scholarship as a juror because she is convinced that innovation and entrepreneurship thrive on the co-creation of different perspectives. This requires visible role models who encourage other women to implement their entrepreneurial ideas and become entrepreneurs.

We are happy that you are with us, Karin! 🙌

➡️ You want to apply for the Female Founders Scholarship and have a chance to win €10,000? You can find all the information here: https://lnkd.in/eTqAPREh

The Female Founders Scholarship is powered by Boerse Stuttgart Group and is awarded in cooperation with Startup Stuttgart e.V. at the Gründerwasen 2026!

What does a trade agreement designed around a services-led economy look like?

The enhanced UK-Switzerland Free Trade Agreement is a significant step forward for services trade, reflecting the growing importance of financial and related professional services in the global economy.

In our latest blog, Ceri Martin, Manager, Europe, explores why the agreement offers a compelling model for a modern, services-first approach to trade policy.

You can read her blog here: https://lnkd.in/eF8Z77zc

TRIFIC was pleased to welcome Dr. Henry Murigi, PhD, Registrar/CEO of the Nairobi Centre for International Arbitration (NCIA), for a strategic engagement focused on the role of dispute resolution in strengthening Kenya’s commercial and investment landscape.

The discussions explored how ADR, investor education and stronger commercial institutions can support businesses, safeguard relationships and contribute to a more predictable environment for investment.

We also identified areas for collaboration in capacity building, thought leadership and the forthcoming Nairobi Arbitration Week 2027.

At TRIFIC, we believe that building a competitive business destination requires strong partnerships across the ecosystem. We look forward to working with NCIA to advance conversations and initiatives that support investor confidence and Kenya’s ambition as a leading regional business hub.