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Fintech & Innovation Summit 2025
Panel 1: Fitech Compliance & Regulatory Maze - How to Keep Up?
Mazen Boustany Partner Baker Mckenzie LLP
Raji Challita CEO BML Istisharat
Momeen Ahmed Co- Founder & CEO Trustin Limited
Imad Ul Malik CEO Sharaf Exchange
Malek Moubasher Senior Management Consultant -Principal Mentor Global Consultants [Moderator]
Panel 2: From Startups to Scaleups -How Fintechs Can Achieve Sustainable Growth
Samer Soliman CEO AFS
Ammar Afif CEO Cashew Payments Holding
Patrick Ghata Head of Financial Services DMCC
Hanane Sbai Fintech Director for East Arabia Division Mastercard Middle East Africa FZ - LLC
Sharad Gupta Partner ALP UK/UAE [Moderator]
Panel 3: Data & AI in Fintech -Risk or Opportunity?
Ashwani Roy Partner ALP UK/UAE
Fadi Azar CFO Falcon Eye Technology
Shiraz Ali CBO Nymcard
Rikin Patel Founder and CEO Dhahaby
Malek Moubasher Senior Management Consultant -Principal Mentor Global Consultants [Moderator]
Panel 4: The Future of Digital Lending & Alternative Credit Models
Hasan Abdallah Head of Client Coverage Vision Bank
Fawaz Ghazal CEO Flooss Bahrain
Riccardo Zanella Credit Director Creditit
Raine Renaldi President and Co-Founder Indonesian Bankers Club
V Ramkumar (Ram) Senior Partner Cedar Management Consulting [Moderator]
Panel 1: Fintech Compliance & Regulatory Maze – How to Keep Up?
As fintechs push the boundaries of innovation, they face a rising tide of compliance demands from complex licensing requirements to rigorous onboarding protocols. This session explores how evolving regulations impact time-to-market, especially for startups and cross-border operations. The discussion will cover regulatory frameworks, compliance processes, and infrastructure highlighting how RegTech, streamlined policies, and early engagement can help simplify the landscape and accelerate market readiness.
Landscape of Fintech in the UAE
"The UAE has strategically positioned itself as a global testbed and launchpad for next-generation financial technologies. At the heart of this transformation is a government-led vision to become a digital economy hub, supported by proactive regulators and agile infrastructure. Key strategic drivers include:
Integrated regulatory frameworks from leading jurisdictions such as the DIFC and ADGM, which offer FinTechs access to innovation licenses, regulatory sandboxes, and fast-track approvals, encouraging safe experimentation and faster go-to-market strategies.
Public-private collaborations have accelerated digital payments, SME financing, and cross-border financial solutions, positioning the UAE as a key player in regional financial inclusion and innovation.
The introduction of Open Finance frameworks, eKYC platforms, and digital onboarding regulations have enhanced trust, improved customer experience, and reduced operational barriers for fintech startups and financial institutions alike.
The establishment of national-level digital infrastructure, including the UAE Pass, Central Bank’s Digital Dirham initiative, and integration of government services into fintech platforms, has made the UAE an attractive market for scalable digital financial products.
This environment provides a fertile ground for embedded finance, BaaS models, and API-driven ecosystems, enabling technology companies to seamlessly integrate financial services and drive inclusive growth
09:45 AM – 10:10 AM
Panel 1: Fintech Compliance & Regulatory Maze – How to Keep Up?
Awards & Recognition Ceremony
11:30 AM – 12:00 PM
09:35 AM – 09:45 AM
Presentation - Mr. Mohamed Madkour , head of CaaS and segments commercialization, Mastercard
Presentation – Dr. Mustafa Omar Mohammed, Associate Professor, Al Qasimia University, Sharjah
11:15 AM – 11:30 AM
01:00 PM – 02:00 PM
Networking Lunch
09:5 AM – 09:20 AM
Presentation – Mr. Chetan Parekh, Managing Partner, Cedar Management Consulting International
11:00 AM – 11:15 AM
Presentation – Mr. Raji Challita, CEO, BML Group
12:50 PM – 01:00 PM
Closing Remarks – Mr. Rashid Al Qubaisi
09:5 AM – 09:20 AM
Presentation – Mr. Samer Soliman, CEO, AFS
10:35 AM – 11:00 AM
Networking Break
12:25 PM – 12:50 PM
Panel 4: The Future of Digital Lending & Alternative Credit Models
09:00 AM – 09:5 AM
Opening Remarks – Mr. Rashid Al Qubaisi, CEO, Mawarid Finance
Panel 2: From Startups to Scaleups – How Fintechs Can Achieve Sustainable Growth
10:10 AM – 10:35 AM
12:00 PM – 12:25 PM
Panel 3: Data & AI in Fintech –
Risk or Opportunity?
Agenda
Panel Discussions
Keynote Speakers
Mr. Rashid Al Qubaisi Chief Executive Officer Mawarid Finance PJSC
Mr. Samer Soliman Chief Executive Officer Arab Financial Services (AFS)
Mr. Malek Moubasher Senior Management Consultant - Principal Mentor Global Consultants Master of Ceremonies “EMCEE”
Mr. Chetan Parekh Managing Partner MENA FinTech Practice Head Cedar Management Consulting International
Mr. Mohamed Madkour Mastercard Head of CaaS & segments commercialization
Mr. Raji Challita BML Group Chief Executive Officer
Dr. Mustafa Mohammed College of Economics and Management Al Qasimia University Associate Professor
Panel 2: From Startups to Scaleups – Building for Sustainable Growth
Launching a fintech is one thing; scaling it is another. Growth introduces new challenge, regulatory demands, operational cost and funding. This session explores the critical enablers of sustainable scale, from digital infrastructure and regulatory support to capital strategies and cross-sector collaboration. It highlights the key components required to transition from startup to scaleup in a competitive fintech landscape.
Panel 3: Data & AI in Fintech – Innovation vs. Integrity
AI is reshaping the fintech landscape, driving innovation in fraud detection, credit scoring, and customer experience. Yet as these technologies influence financial decisions and outcomes, concerns around data privacy, algorithmic bias, and ethical use continue to rise. This session explores the dual nature of AI its vast potential and inherent risks - and examines how the sector can balance innovation with responsibility, transparency, and trust.
Panel 4: The Future of Digital Lending – Alternative Credit in Action
Fintech is redefining how credit is accessed and delivered, with models like Buy Now Pay Later, peer-to-peer lending, and alternative data scoring gaining traction. These innovations are expanding financial inclusion, but also introducing new risks and regulatory considerations. This session explores how digital lending is evolving, what frameworks are needed to ensure responsible growth, and how the credit ecosystem is adapting to a new era of speed, accessibility, and innovation.
Mawarid Finance is honored to convene this landmark gathering of fintech leaders, regulators, and technology enablers committed to shaping the future of financial services in the UAE and beyond. As a fully licensed, Sharia-compliant financial institution, Mawarid Finance has established itself as a trusted enabler of innovation, offering a comprehensive Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) platform that empowers fintech companies to launch and scale embedded financial products with speed, compliance, and flexibility. With deep regulatory expertise, robust governance infrastructure, and seamless API integrations, Mawarid Finance bridges the gap between innovation and regulation, providing the foundational rails that allow fintech partners to focus on customer experience and market growth.
Confirmed Panelists
Flooss – Instant Micro Financing
A cutting-edge digital solution delivering instant, Sharia-compliant personal financing. Fully integrated with Mawarid Finance’s infrastructure to ensure seamless, secure, and fully licensed operations.
Cashew – Flexible Payment Solutions
A dynamic buy-now-pay-later platform enabling easy installment plans. In partnership with Mawarid Finance, Cashew o‑ers flexible, payment options under a regulated framework.
Mawarid Fintech Lab
Nublo – AI-Powered Travel Companion
An intelligent travel finance app o‑ering multi-currency wallets, instant virtual cards, and real-time analytics. BIN sponsored by Mawarid Finance to ensure global, compliant payment experiences
Dhahaby - Digital Gold Platform
A dynamic buy-now-pay-later platform enabling easy installment plans. In partnership with Mawarid Finance, Cashew o‑ers flexible, payment options under a regulated framework.
Creditit.ai – Digital Credit Solutions
A smart embedded finance solution turning invoices into liquidity. Creditit.ai leverages Mawarid Finance’s licensing to deliver fast, secure credit access and support SME growth.
Sponsors Innovation Pavilion
Mawarid Finance: “Oering Islamic Finance & Empoweing Fintech Expansion in UAE
Arab Financial Services: “Secure, smart and simplified financial solutions”
Cedar Management Consulting International: “Business, Financial and Management Consulting”
BML Technology: “BML Istisharat for Modern Core Banking Systems in Middle East”
Falcon Eye Technology: “Trusted Security With Reliable Service”
Sponsors Information and Contact Details
Mawarid Finance PJSC
Al Sayyah Building, Sheikh Zayed Road Dubai
P.O Box: 212121
www.mawarid.ae
+971 43 040 888
Arab Financial Services Company B.S.C. (C)
Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain
P.O. Box 2152
www.arabfinancialservices.a
+973 1729 9200
BML Technology LLC
The Binary Tower, Business Bay Dubai – UAE
P.O Box: 215825
www.istisharat.com
+971 44 561 897
Cedar Management Consulting International
Unit 401B, Building 3 Emaar Square Dubai
New York | London | Dubai | Cairo
| Mumbai | Osaka | Bengaluru
www.cedar-consulting.com
Falcon Eye Technology
Al Falah Tower4, Al Hudou-a street
10 Floor Abu Dhabi
PO Box: 54947
+971 26 772 202
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