emirates7 - The Global Women’s Forum Dubai 2024 hosted a thought-provoking panel discussion titled ‘Fintech for All: Harnessing Innovation to Benefit Women and Beyond,’ which explored the transformative impact of financial technology on opportunities for women and communities globally.
The panel featured Hela Cheikhrouhou, Regional Vice President at the International Finance Corporation (IFC) for the Middle East, Central Asia, Türkiye, Afghanistan, and Pakistan; Amnah Ajmal, Executive Vice President of Market Development at Mastercard for EEMEA; Mohammed Albalooshi, CEO of the DIFC Innovation Hub in the UAE; Noor Sweid, Founder and Managing Director of Global Ventures in the UAE; and Neha Mehta, Founder of FemTech Partners in Singapore. CNBC’s Dan Murphy moderated the session.
The panellists unanimously agreed that fintech is a critical driver of women’s empowerment, reshaping industries, enhancing financial inclusion, and providing women with greater access to financial services.
Cheikhrouhou emphasized fintech's role in improving financial inclusion in underserved areas, highlighting how these innovations empower women by offering essential financial tools, promoting gender equality, and boosting economic opportunities.
Ajmal shared an anecdote from her early career, recounting how her boss encouraged her to take on challenges by focusing on potential outcomes rather than fearing failure. She stressed the importance of measuring impact and illustrated how cash digitisation helps women in Africa safeguard their earnings and expand their businesses. Ajmal also encouraged women to apply for jobs confidently, pointing out that women often wait to meet all qualifications, unlike men who apply even when partially qualified.
Albalooshi discussed the DIFC Innovation Hub's efforts to support women in finance, including initiatives like ‘AccelerateHER’—a programme launched in 2019 to provide aspiring women professionals in financial services with mentorship and advisory support from top industry leaders in Dubai. He emphasized the significant role women entrepreneurs play in shaping the impact of their businesses.
Sweid highlighted the gender disparity in venture capital management, noting that women manage only a small proportion of venture capital funds in the region. However, she also recognized the rapid growth of the regional fintech ecosystem and the increasing opportunities available for women.
Mehta addressed the global funding gap for women-led fintech startups and emphasized the power of digital solutions in empowering women financially. She explained how these technologies enable women to access financial tools, better manage their resources, and grow their businesses.
Overall, the discussion underscored fintech's potential to drive systemic change, foster innovation, and empower women and communities worldwide.
The panel featured Hela Cheikhrouhou, Regional Vice President at the International Finance Corporation (IFC) for the Middle East, Central Asia, Türkiye, Afghanistan, and Pakistan; Amnah Ajmal, Executive Vice President of Market Development at Mastercard for EEMEA; Mohammed Albalooshi, CEO of the DIFC Innovation Hub in the UAE; Noor Sweid, Founder and Managing Director of Global Ventures in the UAE; and Neha Mehta, Founder of FemTech Partners in Singapore. CNBC’s Dan Murphy moderated the session.
The panellists unanimously agreed that fintech is a critical driver of women’s empowerment, reshaping industries, enhancing financial inclusion, and providing women with greater access to financial services.
Cheikhrouhou emphasized fintech's role in improving financial inclusion in underserved areas, highlighting how these innovations empower women by offering essential financial tools, promoting gender equality, and boosting economic opportunities.
Ajmal shared an anecdote from her early career, recounting how her boss encouraged her to take on challenges by focusing on potential outcomes rather than fearing failure. She stressed the importance of measuring impact and illustrated how cash digitisation helps women in Africa safeguard their earnings and expand their businesses. Ajmal also encouraged women to apply for jobs confidently, pointing out that women often wait to meet all qualifications, unlike men who apply even when partially qualified.
Albalooshi discussed the DIFC Innovation Hub's efforts to support women in finance, including initiatives like ‘AccelerateHER’—a programme launched in 2019 to provide aspiring women professionals in financial services with mentorship and advisory support from top industry leaders in Dubai. He emphasized the significant role women entrepreneurs play in shaping the impact of their businesses.
Sweid highlighted the gender disparity in venture capital management, noting that women manage only a small proportion of venture capital funds in the region. However, she also recognized the rapid growth of the regional fintech ecosystem and the increasing opportunities available for women.
Mehta addressed the global funding gap for women-led fintech startups and emphasized the power of digital solutions in empowering women financially. She explained how these technologies enable women to access financial tools, better manage their resources, and grow their businesses.
Overall, the discussion underscored fintech's potential to drive systemic change, foster innovation, and empower women and communities worldwide.