Latest news with #ADGMAcademy
Gulf Business
30-07-2025
- Business
- Gulf Business
Binance's regional head on driving crypto growth and digital innovation in the Gulf
Binance has firmly established itself as a key player in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Through a mix of hyper-localisation, regulatory engagement, and innovation-first thinking, the platform has seen approximately 20 per cent growth in MENA since 2020. At the heart of this effort is Bader Al Kalooti, regional head MEASAT at Binance, who is spearheading the company's expansion across the Gulf, Africa, and beyond. In this exclusive interview, Al Kalooti breaks down how Binance is navigating diverse regional dynamics, strengthening regulation-first strategies, and unlocking the next wave of blockchain innovation. Local relevance, global scale The company's consistent growth in MENA reflects its ability to adapt to a complex, varied landscape. 'We have seen the Middle East quickly becoming an epicenter for crypto, a place where platforms and projects migrate to expand and launch their Web3 companies,' said Al Kalooti. 'Each region is different, and we can see the community adapt and attract different aspects of the industry.' He noted that Binance focuses on regulatory frameworks that enable full-service operations aligned with each country's unique economic and technological priorities. Strategic expansion: From UAE and Bahrain to Saudi and beyond Binance made headlines by becoming the first global exchange to secure a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) licence in the UAE and a Category 4 licence in Bahrain. The company is now taking a similarly proactive approach in emerging crypto markets like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Kuwait. 'The MENA region is a significant market for Binance and the Web3 industry for several reasons,' Al Kalooti explained. 'It has a growing young population of 600 million people, with 60 per cent under the age of 30 who are tech-savvy, and 75 per cent smartphone penetration.' For high-income economies, digital assets serve as a diversification tool. For lower-GDP countries, crypto presents opportunities to bridge financial inclusion gaps. 'Remittance corridors present a significant opportunity primed for Web3 disruption, where there is around $150bn in outflows from the GCC,' he added. 'Collaboration with banks, fintechs, and government bodies is vital to ensure compliance.' Halal digital finance: Sharia-compliant innovation Binance made a breakthrough with the launch of 'When it comes to the next development in halal digital services, Sharia Earn will absolutely evolve and expand,' Al Kalooti said. 'It addresses a complex, global need… and the product has to continuously adapt to meet the expectations of diverse communities.' He noted that Binance will continue expanding token offerings and markets while adhering to Islamic finance principles. 'This is just the beginning.' Driving mass adoption through education Binance has made education a cornerstone of its regional strategy. Its Arabic-language initiative Blockchain for Everyone and collaborations with institutions like ADGM Academy aim to close knowledge gaps. 'Education is a core priority for Binance, and something we take very seriously,' Al Kalooti said. 'Even in high awareness markets there is fear of complexity, volatility, and safety due to low financial and technical literacy. Clear education through practical and real-world examples helps our users build trust.' Cybersecurity: Navigating rising threats As crypto adoption grows, so do the risks. Al Kalooti cited phishing attacks, impersonation scams, and deepfake-driven fraud as the most common cyber threats. 'Scammers love to exploit people's growing interest in crypto and the trust they have in Binance,' he warned. 'With the rise of AI and deepfake technology, these impersonations can look and sound shockingly real.' To protect users, Binance promotes vigilance and has developed tools such as Binance Verify . 'It allows users to input addresses, URLs, phone numbers, or usernames to quickly check whether they are legitimate or potentially fraudulent.' Institutional appetite rising across Gulf sectors From sovereign wealth funds and telecoms to fintechs, institutional interest in crypto is on the rise. 'We see an increase in institutional adoption across the board,' said Al Kalooti. He cited a 2023 partnership with Beyon Money in Bahrain, and a $2bn investment from Abu Dhabi-based Real-world use cases: Supply chains and healthcare Blockchain's most promising Gulf applications lie in areas like logistics and healthcare, according to Al Kalooti. 'I'm most excited about how blockchain can bring transparency and traceability to food supply chain management and pharmaceutical logistics to ensure halal compliance, reduce counterfeiting, and build trust.' In healthcare, he added, 'decentralized records can be a game changer… secure, consent-based access to medical data can make healthcare more seamless and reliable.' Ecosystem growth through partnerships Beyond regulators, Binance sees universities, VCs, and incubators as vital to scaling blockchain innovation. 'They all play different roles,' Al Kalooti said. Incubators and VCs provide the infrastructure and funding for startups, while universities help build the future talent pipeline. He cited Binance's collaboration with Gulf Colleges and Riyadh Chamber to expand blockchain education in Saudi Arabia as an example. 'The partnership focuses on workforce development… co-designing the curriculum, developing learning materials, and establishing certification programmes.' What's next: Binance and the Gulf's digital economy Looking ahead, Al Kalooti sees Binance playing a deeper role in enabling digital infrastructure across the Gulf. 'We see Binance being a key player in the Gulf's digital economy, not just as an exchange but as part of the region's financial infrastructure,' he said. 'We are focusing on institutional engagement and supporting real-world use cases like cross-border payments, digital remittances, and DeFi participation.' For Binance, it's about 'building responsibly and being part of a more connected, transparent, and future-proof financial system'.
Arabian Business
17-07-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
ADGM Academy partners with PGIM to launch RealAssetX Abu Dhabi Innovation Centre
ADGM Academy (ADGMA) has partnered with PGIM, the global investment management business of Prudential Financial, Inc., to launch the RealAssetX Abu Dhabi Innovation Centre . The centre will focus on sustainable technology, artificial intelligence (AI), and deep tech within the real asset industry. The centre will open in September this year at the ADGM Academy offices, bringing together global expertise to tackle challenges and opportunities in real estate, infrastructure, smart cities, and related sectors. ADGM Academy, PGIM launch real estate innovation hub The announcement follows the strategic partnership formed between PGIM and the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) announced in December last year to support the establishment of the centre. Alessandro Borgogna, Advisor – Cluster Planning and Development at ADIO, said: 'Abu Dhabi is driving the next stage of innovation by integrating AI, sustainability, and digital transformation across global industries. RealAssetX Abu Dhabi demonstrates our commitment to strengthening the financial services sector and positioning the emirate as a launchpad for deep tech solutions that deliver value at scale.' The RealAssetX Abu Dhabi Innovation Centre will focus on three key areas: climate technologies, advancing decarbonisation and environmental resilience; AI-driven decision-making, enhancing asset management and investment strategies through analytics; and breakthrough applications, exploring blockchain for real estate, smart infrastructure systems and materials. Mansoor Jaffar, CEO at ADGM Academy and Research Centre, added: 'We are committed to building a vibrant ecosystem that nurtures early-stage ventures and accelerates breakthrough technologies in real assets. Our partnership with PGIM, supported by ADIO, will enable the RealAssetX Centre to drive innovation, support sustainable development, and position Abu Dhabi as a global hub for deep tech and smart infrastructure.' PGIM and ADGMA will jointly guide and oversee the centre's strategy and operations. The centre will deliver research, ideation labs, hackathons, pitch competitions, and incubator and accelerator programmes. Mohammed Abdulmalek, Head of the Middle East at PGIM, said: 'By combining PGIM's global investment expertise with ADGMA's commitment to talent and technology, we are creating a platform that will drive sustainable growth, unlock new value, and position the region at the forefront of deep tech and AI-driven transformation.'
Zawya
05-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Driving change in utilities: Unlocking AI & data potential with strategic leadership
Simon Khoury, Innovation & Analytics Lead, shared his expertise on the session 'Strategic Leadership in Utilities: A Data & AI Roadmap for Success' during TAQA's ETLAQ Leadership Training Event, hosted by ADGM Academy Dubai, UAE – Data and artificial intelligence (AI) are crucial components in creating innovative solutions that will help drive operational efficiencies within the power and water utilities sector, says IT Max Global, a premier innovation and IT services provider. From data management to predictive analytics and machine learning, utility companies will be equipped with the right tools and accurate information to perform data-driven decision-making and AI-powered insights to achieve enhanced energy and distribution forecasting, automated maintenance, and even improved regulatory compliance in the industry. 'AI in utilities is both a challenge and a solution,' says Simon Khoury, Innovation Lead at IT Max Global. 'While computer centers needed for AI have put massive pressure on grids, AI itself holds the solution to the power sector's growing challenges. The key is a strong data strategy—there can be no AI without Information Architecture or IA. The real transformation happens when organizations align business goals with AI-driven insights.' Speaking from his practical experience at IT Max Global, a premier innovation and IT services provider working with multiple governmental and utilities entities, Khoury underscored that the true foundation for impactful AI and data initiatives in the power and water utilities sector lies in strategic leadership, and its ability to induce structural and mentality changes conducive to leveraging data & AI effectively. As utilities companies increasingly turn to AI and data to fuel transformation, success is much less about the technology itself, and more about effective leadership and change management. That was one of the main takeaways from Khoury's featured talk at TAQA's ETLAQ Leadership Training Event at the ADGM Academy. During his session, titled 'Strategic Leadership in Utilities: A Data & AI Roadmap for Success,' he offered insights into how future industry leaders can leverage data and AI to drive sustainable innovation in the power and water utilities sector. Addressing Barriers to AI & Data Adoption Khoury's presentation focused on real-world challenges surrounding AI and data projects in utilities, emphasizing that many barriers are not technological but instead tied to people and processes. He led with case studies to come up with a 'success blueprint' that addresses the type of structure, mindset, foundations needed to achieve success in utility-related data & AI initiatives. This roadmap underscores how utilities can successfully implement advanced technology while aligning it with strategic business goals. Khoury also introduced the concept of the AI Ladder —a structured approach to achieve AI maturity. 'The biggest mistake we see leaders making is jumping to the AI mandate without prioritizing a strong and purposeful data strategy. If AI is the refinery, data is the new oil. Another common leadership mistake is not realizing the needed reshuffling of the traditional organizational and business unit structures. I always advocate for progressing from a centralized/decentralized business units tasked with AI initiatives to what we call a 'Federated' model built around data topics that combines the best of both worlds', said Khoury. ETLAQ is a prestigious initiative that empowers Emirati graduates to lead in the utilities sector, serving as a launchpad for Emirati graduates with outstanding academic credentials seeking to build their careers in one of TAQA's operating companies. IT Max's participation at the event is in line with the company's support of broader efforts to equip future leaders with the tools to navigate digital transformation and maximize AI's potential in the utilities sector. This also aligns with the brand's aim to reinforce the UAE's commitment to innovation, sustainability, and digital transformation. Media contacts: Albert Alba Senior Communications Manager albert@ Iman Ashraf Communications Manager iman@ Sally Gerdak Senior Marketing Executive About IT Max Global: Founded in 2010, IT Max Global is a premier innovation and IT service provider, boasting a team of over 150 skilled professionals dedicated to delivering transformative technology solutions. Operating throughout the MEA region, IT Max is renowned as an uncompromising Managed Service Provider (MSP) and Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP). A powerhouse in infrastructure, AI, analytics, digital transformation, and unified communications, IT Max is committed to driving innovation and excellence. Its comprehensive service offerings and unwavering focus on clients' long-term success and adaptability position IT Max as a trusted technology partner for both public and private sector organizations. With a reputation for excellence and a steadfast commitment to staying ahead in the rapidly evolving technological landscape, IT Max is dedicated to helping public and private-sector clients thrive and achieve their goals. For more information, visit .
