Dubai, May 6, 2025 — The third edition of the MENA Capital Market Summit officially opened today at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, bringing together more than 1,500 participants and over 100 senior market leaders to discuss the future of regional and global capital markets. Organised by Dubai Financial Market (DFM), the two-day event runs until May 7 and highlights themes such as technology in financial infrastructure, IPO pipelines, cross-border capital flows, retail investor trends, and private market transformation.
The Summit, widely regarded as a barometer for market confidence and strategic direction in the region, features a high-profile speaker lineup that includes:
- Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism & Chairman of DFM
- Ken Robins, Head of EMEA Equity Capital Markets, Citi
- Richard Cormack, Head of ECM and Convertibles in EMEA, Goldman Sachs
- Simon Williams, Chief Economist CEEMEA, HSBC
- Lord Stephen A. Carter, Group Chief Executive, Informa PLC
Keynote addresses, sector-focused panels, and regulatory dialogues are set to shape discussions around how the MENA region’s markets are adapting to rapid innovation and attracting international capital.
New Feature: “The Hub”
The 2025 Summit introduces The Hub, a dedicated space designed for hands-on engagement. It will host partner presentations, fireside chats, and demos of DFM’s flagship platforms like the iVestor App and ARENA, alongside insights into new services and upcoming initiatives from DFM and its collaborators.
Dubai’s Financial Ascendancy
DFM CEO and Nasdaq Dubai chief Hamed Ali emphasized the Summit’s role in reinforcing Dubai’s global capital markets leadership:
“With AED 10.48 billion raised through IPOs in 2024 and a diverse investor base spanning over 200 nationalities, we’re witnessing clear, growing global confidence in Dubai’s financial ecosystem.”
Ahmed Al Qassim, Group Head of Wholesale Banking at Emirates NBD, underscored the event’s significance as a launchpad for financial integration and innovation in Dubai:
“This Summit is pivotal for harnessing Dubai’s evolution as a major international hub for banking, digital finance, and cross-border investment.”
Andree Chakhtoura, Head of Investment Banking MENA at Bank of America, highlighted the city’s increasing sophistication in capital markets:
“Dubai’s continued growth is opening up exciting new avenues for issuers and investors alike.”
Achintya Mangla, Head of Financing for Investment Banking at Citi, added:
“The MENA Capital Market Summit is a vital space to share insights on capital formation and market evolution. We’re committed to supporting the UAE’s financial journey.”
Mohamed Al Marzooqi, CEO of HSBC Bank Middle East and UAE, concluded by noting the region’s growing appeal to global investors:
“With UAE IPOs raising approximately $26.2 billion between 2022 and 2025 — and HSBC involved in 65% of total deal value — our role in shaping the region’s capital markets remains central.”
As Dubai consolidates its role as a regional and global financial gateway, the 2025 MENA Capital Market Summit is expected to serve as a catalyst for investment, policy evolution, and innovation across the region’s dynamic financial landscape.
