EFG Hermes announced today the commencement of its 19th annual One-on-One Investor Conference, the largest and most influential investment forum in the MENA region. Held under the theme ‘MENA Investment Playbook,’ this year’s conference promises unparalleled insights and access to some of the region’s most dynamic investment discussions.
Taking place in Dubai from April 7 to 10, the conference is hosting 220 companies from 12 countries and welcoming 675 institutional investors and fund managers representing 252 global institutions as part of its commitment to delivering an even more impactful experience this year, offering immense value to all attendees.
Supporting MENA investment landscape
The EFG Hermes conference serves as a pivotal platform for supporting the future of investment in the region, providing investors with a unique opportunity to gain firsthand insights into the investment landscape and connect with key decision-makers in the region.
Despite growing concerns over the global economic outlook, driven by escalating trade tensions and their impact on global growth, the MENA region remains an attractive and comparative shelter for emerging market investors. Its relatively limited exposure to the global non-oil-related trade conflict, structural reform plans and ongoing economic diversification towards domestic demand growth is supported by sizable foreign reserves and solid fiscal positions.
“This year, our flagship One-on-One conference coincides with surging global market volatility, as the trade conflict continues to fuel investors’ concerns over the outlook for economic growth. However, at EFG Hermes, we see opportunity amid the uncertainty,” stated Karim Awad, group CEO of EFG Holding.
Awad added that the fundamental theme for the MENA region remains intact: strong balance sheets provide resilience against low oil prices, currency pegs provide a haven amidst growing uncertainties, and lower interest rates revitalize credit growth – particularly in key GCC markets where there is ample room for leverage.
UAE and Egypt in focus
Key highlights of this year’s conference feature a keynote address by Karim Awad, group CEO of EFG Holding, setting the stage for an insightful exploration of regional investment dynamics. This was followed by a pivotal fireside chat titled “Egypt’s Economic Reset? An Inside View,” featuring Mr. Rami Aboulnaga, deputy governor of the Central Bank of Egypt, and moderated by Ziad Daoud, chief emerging markets economist at Bloomberg.
Next, attendees engaged in a panel discussion in partnership with the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) on “The Role of Capital Markets in Advancing the UAE’s Long-Term Vision: Opportunities and Challenges.” This session included insights from Mr. Hamed Ali, CEO of Dubai Financial Market and Nasdaq Dubai, and Mr. Hadi Badri, CEO of the Dubai Economic Development Corporation (DEDC), which was moderated by Ramia Farrage, senior presenter and producer at Forbes Middle East.
“This year’s conference delved deep into the investment opportunities shaping the MENA region in 2025, amidst rising economic anxieties, highlighting growth in renewable energy, technology, and infrastructure driven by initiatives like Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the UAE’s Centennial 2071. As the region emerges as an innovation hub, with fintech and green finance gaining momentum, we aimed to equip investors with actionable insights to navigate this dynamic landscape. The conference united investors, analysts, and industry leaders to explore MENA’s transformative potential and forge connections that will shape its capital markets’ future,” stated Mohamed Ebeid, co-CEO of EFG Hermes.
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Conference hosts region’s largest live research poll
The opening session culminated with the EFG Hermes Live Research Poll recognized as the region’s largest live research poll. Presented by Sally Mousa, senior presenter at Forbes Middle East, this dynamic and interactive segment allowed attendees to participate actively through real-time voting. Their contributions played a pivotal role in gauging the sentiment of both the global and regional investment landscapes, offering valuable insights and fostering meaningful engagement among participants.
Building on this engaging atmosphere, H.E. Ahmed Kouchouk, Egypt’s Minister of Finance, will join the conference on the 8th of April to meet with investors, share insights and engage in discussions about Egypt’s economic roadmap.
