Most recent blog posts
Banking on Wellness: FAB’s Strategy for Success
In today's high-paced corporate world, the importance of wellness cannot be emphasized enough. As firms compete in the war for talent, a new dimension has emerged as a magnet for the modern workforce: wellness. Diego Carrete is the Chief Wellness Officer at First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB). Beyond his pivotal role at the UAE's largest bank, Diego is a fitness aficionado, guiding busy executives on their path to peak wellness. His journey, filled with ups and downs, offers invaluable insights for anyone aiming for holistic health.
Retirement Reimagined: Michael’s Million-Dollar Vision
Explore the future of fintech in the UAE with Michael Watkins, the visionary behind Aurem. Dive into the challenges and solutions of bridging the retirement gap, behavioral financial barriers, and the unique financial dynamics influenced by Dubai's alluring lifestyle. With platforms like Aurem leading the charge, discover how the UAE is set to reshape the world of financial planning and retirement solutions for its diverse population.
Deciphering the Venture Dance: A Couchonomics Tête-à-Tête with Philip Bahoshy
Dive into the dynamic world of venture capital with Couchonomics as we unravel its global shifts and intricacies with Philip Bahoshy, the mastermind behind MAGNiTT. Explore how global events, regional nuances, and macroeconomic trends are shaping the future of ventures in the Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia, and beyond. Discover the interplay of investors, the evolving nature of venture capital, and the urgent need to bridge the tech talent gap. Join us as we decode the dance of venture capital in tumultuous times.
Stash or Dash? A Wealth Wisdom Session with Joseph El Am
In this deep dive with Joseph El Am, General Manager of StashAway MENA, the latest episode of Couchonomics dissects the pulse of the MENA's fintech and wealth tech evolution. Uncover the strides made by StashAway in democratizing wealth management, the pressing need for financial literacy in harnessing MENA's latent wealth potential, and the adaptability of StashAway's proprietary investment strategy - ERA. With a focus on the transformative power of fintech and its role in reshaping the financial landscape, this insightful discussion bridges gaps between traditional and digital financial paradigms, offering a comprehensive look into the future of finance in the region.
TikToking the World: Decoding the New Age of Content with Shant Oknayan
Explore the transformative journey of TikTok with Shant Oknayan, a digital luminary and the Head of Global Business Solutions for various regions at TikTok, in the latest episode of Couchonomics. Dive into discussions about TikTok transcending its image as an entertainment hub to become a holistic ecosystem fostering ‘shopper-tainment’, authentic brand messaging, community-building, and education. Discover insights into how TikTok’s algorithm and machine learning capabilities are redefining content discovery, democratizing content creation, and forming vibrant communities. Learn about the importance of creative resonance in brand messaging and the rise of 'shoppertainment' as the future of online commerce. Understand the pivotal role of TikTok in shaping the future of digital interaction, engagement, and commerce in the ever-evolving age of content.
Banking at the Nexus of Tradition and Innovation: Insights from Mashreq's EVP
The digital banking sector is at the crossroads of tradition and innovation, attempting to reconcile the reliability of conventional banking models with the efficiency and personalization offered by technology. As disruptive forces like fintech startups and shifting consumer behaviors reshape the landscape, legacy banks find themselves in a precarious position: adapt or become obsolete.
Navigating the Payment Galaxy with Telr's CEO Khalil Alami
In a rapidly evolving fintech landscape, Khalil Alami stands as a pioneering figure. Through Telr, he is pushing the boundaries of what a payment gateway can be. Whether you're a merchant, a consumer, or a fintech enthusiast, Telr has something in store for you.
Gulf Capital's Secret Sauce: Mergers, Money & More!
Ever wondered what it takes to be a titan in the tumultuous seas of alternative investment? Say no more! Our latest episode of Couchonomics unpacks the secret sauce behind Gulf Capital, the region's trailblazing alternative investment firm! Led by the indomitable Nabil Ismail, Gulf Capital navigates the complex waves of mergers, profitability, and geopolitics with unparalleled finesse. Buckle up as we chart a course through the shifting tides of investment!
Charting New Digital Horizons with Khalifa AlShamsi
Dive into the dynamic world of fintech, super-apps, and digital transformation with Khalifa AlShamsi, CEO of e& life. Explore how the telecom industry is shifting its gears towards an integrated, user-centric model, breaking the barriers of traditional services. From e& life's ambitions in fintech and healthcare to its big bets on super-apps like Careem, AlShamsi's insights highlight the roadmap for the future of digital services in the MENA region. Discover the strategic blend of technology, innovation, and tailored approaches that promise to redefine our digital experiences.
Shaping the Financial Landscape: Twig's Trailblazing Journey Through Savings Innovation
The Twig journey is a clear demonstration of the power of innovative thinking, strategic planning, and an unwavering commitment to a cause. Their disruptive approach to making saving an engaging, user-friendly experience is a significant leap forward in the financial wellness space. Twig's dedication, coupled with its intelligent understanding of the market and regulatory landscape, paves the way for potentially groundbreaking developments in the future
Web 3.0, Blockchain, and The Future of Inclusive Tech
In this insightful episode of Couchonomics with Arjun, listeners are treated to an enlightening conversation with Amna Usman Chaudhry. Her understanding of frontier technologies like AI, blockchain, and web 3.0, combined with her dedication to promoting diversity and inclusion, provides a fresh perspective on the tech landscape. This conversation is not just a commentary on the current state of these technologies but a visionary exploration of their potential. As we witness the continuous evolution of tech, insights from leaders like Chaudhry are instrumental in guiding our collective journey towards a more inclusive and sustainable digital future.
Convergence of Innovation and Inclusion: A Dialogue from The Inclusive Fintech Forum
This special episode of Couchonomics not only demystified the mechanisms of the Inclusive Fintech Forum but also accentuated the importance of financial innovation in fostering economic development. As we look forward to future episodes and the subsequent IFF events, one thing is clear: the conversation on inclusive fintech has only just begun, and its implications are far-reaching and transformative.
A Glimpse Into the Future: How Geidea is Shaping the Fintech Landscape in MENA
This insightful conversation with Renier Lemmens gives us a fascinating look at the dynamic MENA fintech landscape and the role that pioneers like Geidea play in shaping it. With their strategic vision, customer-centric approach, and innovative solutions, they are undoubtedly paving the way for the future of fintech in the region.
A Global Fintech Odyssey from Singapore to Africa with Pat Patel
From the buzzing FinTech hubs of Singapore to the promising landscapes of Africa and India, the conversation uncovers the potential of global cooperation in transforming the future of finance. For anyone looking to understand the dynamics of FinTech, this episode is a must-listen. The insights shared by ‚Pat Patel are not only timely but also instrumental in comprehending the future trajectory of the FinTech ecosystem.
A Deep Dive into MENA's Fintech Ecosystem with Tap Payments' Ali Abulhasan
Explore the revolution of the fintech landscape in the MENA region with Ali Abulhasan, co-founder and CEO of Tap Payments. Learn about the transformation of online payments, adoption of emerging trends like cryptocurrency and biometrics, and the power of AI in revolutionizing various industries. Get insights on how Tap Payments is streamlining transactions, overcoming geographical payment complexities, and building bridges for MENA-based companies to grow globally. A deep dive into the dynamic world of digital transactions with insights from one of the industry's pioneers
A Profound Transformation: Dr. Waleed Sadek's Contribution to the MENA Digital Payments Ecosystem
Dr. Waleed Sadek's insights offer a clear snapshot of the ongoing evolution in Egypt's financial ecosystem and, more extensively, the MENA region. His pioneering work through PaySky and Yalla not only paves the way for future innovations but also represents the enormous potential that fintech possesses. As digital payments become increasingly prevalent, trailblazers like Dr. Sadek will continue to shape the financial sector's future.
Embracing the Future: Crypto, Blockchain, and the Vision of Saqr Ereiqat
Saqr Ereiqat's insights provide an enlightening perspective on the burgeoning fields of blockchain and cryptocurrency. His vision serves as a guiding light for the vast possibilities these technologies hold for our future. The intricate blend of strategic foresight and technical acumen that Saqr brings to the table exemplifies the type of leadership needed to navigate the complex landscape of emerging technologies. His work with Crypto Oasis and beyond underlines the transformative potential of blockchain and cryptocurrencies.
Harnessing the Power of FinTech: An In-depth Look at the MENA Landscape
Explore the transformative role of FinTech in the MENA region with insights from Wael Fakharany, CEO of Edenred Middle East. Learn about the digital revolution in financial inclusion, Edenred's innovative solutions, and the future of FinTech in MENA. This blog offers a comprehensive overview of the FinTech landscape, its impact on financial services, and the exciting opportunities ahead.
Unlocking Profitability: The Survival Blueprint for Digital Banks
The world of finance has been rapidly changing over the last decade, thanks to the emergence of fintech startups, digital banks, and neobanks. These new players in the industry are challenging the traditional financial institutions, which have been around for centuries, to evolve and keep up with the changing times. In a recent episode of Couchonomics with Arjun, Oliver Hughes, former CEO of Tinkoff, discussed the future of digital banking and how it is changing the financial industry. Hughes shared his thoughts on the challenges that traditional banks face in building ecosystems, the importance of unit economics in digital banking, and the future of traditional branch-based banking.
Careem Pay's Metamorphosis: How a Ride-Hailing Service Became a Fintech Titan
The fintech industry is rapidly transforming in the Middle East, with Careem Pay leading the charge. As the fintech arm of Careem, the Middle East's first unicorn, Careem Pay's mission is to simplify people's lives by providing essential financial services as part of an everything app. In this episode of Couchonomics with Arjun, Madiha Sattar, VP of Careem Pay, shares her insights on building a fintech ecosystem in the Middle East, the transition from a ride-hailing app to an everything app, geographic expansion plans for Careem, and the problem of diversity in fintech.