The MENA Fintech Association, the not-for-profit organisation dedicated to serving fintech startups and established players across the Middle East and Africa, has relaunched its payment working group known as SHIFT.
Nameer Khan, chairman of MENA Fintech Association and founder of FILS, stated the following: “The resurgence of the SHIFT – Payments Working Group is a testament to our commitment to driving fintech innovation in the MENA region.”
Founded in 2018, the MENA Fintech Association has earned recognition as one of the top four fintech groups globally. With a strong presence in MENA, the association has been at the forefront of driving innovation. This is as well as fostering collaboration in the fintech industry.
In a strategic move to amplify its commitment to advancing payment solutions and fostering innovation, MFTA has chosen industry leaders Akshay Chopra and Imane Adel to guide the SHIFT – Payments Working Group. Their wealth of experience, forward-thinking approach, and dedication to pushing the boundaries of fintech will elevate the group’s impact.
Discussing their appointments, Khan added: “With Akshay Chopra and Imane Adel as co-chairs, we are confident in the transformative potential of this collaboration. Their expertise and vision align seamlessly with the association’s mission to shape the future of finance. Together, we aspire to lead the charge in revolutionising payment solutions. Additionally, we want to foster collaboration, and champion an inclusive fintech landscape across the Middle East and North Africa.”
Meeting the team
Akshay Chopra, a veteran fintech investor, inventor, and practitioner, serves as managing partner at 237 Ventures. 237 Ventures grows businesses via investment, product advisory, coaching, and board directorship. He serves on multiple boards, including the MENA Fintech Association. Chopra holds seven fintech patents. His former executive roles include VP heading innovation, and product design and crypto solutions for Visa CEMEA.
Chopra stated the following upon taking over this role: “I am honoured to co-chair the SHIFT – Payments Working Group. In an era of unprecedented innovation, this platform provides a unique opportunity to shape the future of payments in the MENA region. Especially as we co-create with large players, new entrants, policymakers, and enablers. We will also work closely with regulators to share the ecosystem’s inputs.”
Imane Adel, EVP of strategy at Paymob, is a payments professional. She has tenures at Visa and Mastercard, is a member of the Forbes Technology Council, and is a strategic adviser to regional startups.
She stated the following upon joining SHIFT: ”As we embark on this exciting journey co-chairing the SHIFT – Payments Working Group, I am thrilled to collaborate with industry leaders and innovators to shape the future of payments in the MENA region.
“The convergence of technology and finance presents unprecedented opportunities. Together with Akshay Chopra, we aim to drive a wave of innovation. Furthermore, we want to foster strategic partnerships and advocate for a regulatory environment that propels fintech forward. This is not just a working group; it’s a collective force shaping the narrative of financial technology. I am honoured to be a part of it.”
