Where MENA’s Transaction Banking Community Connects
The MENA region is playing an increasingly important role in global trade, payments and investment. As economic relationships shift, new technologies emerge and regional connectivity expands, financial institutions are navigating both new opportunities and growing complexity.The 2027 BAFT MENA Forum brings together transaction banking leaders from across the region and around the world to examine the forces reshaping the industry and what they mean for financial institutions and their clients.
Through candid discussions, practical insights and regional perspectives, the Forum will explore the economic, geopolitical, technological and regulatory developments influencing transaction banking across MENA. Discussions will consider how the industry is responding to changing client expectations, evolving business models, new technologies and shifting global and regional dynamics, while identifying opportunities for greater connectivity, innovation and growth.
Join your peers in Dubai to exchange ideas, strengthen relationships and explore how banks and other transaction banking stakeholders can compete, collaborate, and grow as MENA’s role in the global financial system continues to evolve.
Join us in Dubai, January 26-27
The 2026 MENA Forum at a Glance
The Call for Speakers is now closed.
Due to the anticipated volume of submissions, only selected speakers will be contacted. Notifications will be sent by the end of November 2026. We appreciate your patience as the program planning committee carefully reviews each submission and evaluates its fit with the overall program.
9:00 – 12:30
Kick off the conference by meeting with your clients and prospects. We've set aside this dedicated time for bilateral meetings. The BAFT Lounge is available for attendees who need meeting space. Simply reserve a table through the BAFT App.
12:30 – 13:30
13:30 – 14:00
Tod Burwell
President & CEO
BAFT
14:00 - 14:25
14:25 - 15:00
As economic and political relationships become increasingly multipolar, MENA sits at the intersection of some of the world's most consequential shifts. Deepening ties with Asia and Africa, evolving relationships with traditional Western partners, energy security, regional conflicts and changing global alliances are creating both complexity and opportunity. This session will examine how these forces are affecting the region's financial institutions and their clients—and what they mean for cross-border banking, trade, payments and investment in the years ahead.
15:00 - 15:30
15:30 - 16:05
MENA is investing in regional payment infrastructure and greater cross-border connectivity, but can the region build an ecosystem that relies less heavily on traditional correspondent banking? Initiatives such as Buna and AFAQ offer new pathways for moving money across borders, yet significant barriers remain—from fragmented regulation and multiple currencies to liquidity and pre-funding requirements, duplicative compliance processes, and uneven infrastructure across markets. This session will examine what is working today, where regional payment systems can genuinely replace or complement correspondent banking, and what still needs to change to achieve greater scale and interoperability. Ultimately, what could a more connected MENA payments ecosystem look like—and what role will correspondent banks continue to play?
16:05 - 16:40
As Basel IV implementation advances, what will the changing capital framework mean for the economics and availability of trade finance across MENA? This session will examine how new capital requirements could influence banks’ appetite for financing regional trade, emerging-market and higher-risk exposures, correspondent and FI relationships, and SME and corporate clients. The discussion will explore which trade products and transactions may become more or less attractive, how banks are adapting pricing and portfolio strategies, and whether capital constraints could widen financing gaps in parts of the region. Most importantly, how can MENA banks optimize scarce capital while continuing to support the region’s growing trade ambitions and cross-border connectivity?
16:40 - 17:15
De-risking is no longer driven by risk and compliance considerations alone. As FinTechs, payment service providers and money transfer operators capture a growing share of cross-border payment flows, declining revenues and tighter margins are increasingly influencing decisions about which correspondent relationships banks maintain. At the same time, some of these non-bank competitors depend on banks for the very account access needed to operate. This session brings correspondent banks, compliance leaders and licensed non-bank payment providers together to examine the intersection of risk, revenue and competition—and what is really driving de-risking decisions today.
17:15 - 18:30
Join fellow attendees at the Opening Reception to unwind after a day of meetings and sessions, enjoy refreshments, and continue the conversations in a more relaxed setting.
8:00 – 9:30
We've set aside this dedicated time for bilateral meetings with your clients and prospects. The BAFT Lounge is available for attendees who need meeting space. Simply reserve a table through the BAFT App.
9:30 – 9:40
Tod Burwell
President & CEO
BAFT
9:40 - 10:20
Banks are facing competitive pressure from both ends of the correspondent banking market. Non-bank providers are increasingly capturing lower-value flows through price and convenience, while consolidation among global clearing banks is reshaping access to higher-value flows. Drawing on market data and regional perspectives, this session will examine how these dynamics are changing the economics of correspondent banking, what they mean for banks across MENA, and where opportunities remain to compete and differentiate.
10:20 - 11:00
Banks are moving beyond experimentation with AI, but where is it delivering measurable value? This session will examine concrete AI applications across transaction banking, with international and regional banks sharing specific use cases, results, and lessons learned. From operational efficiency and client service to payments, trade, compliance and fraud, the discussion will explore where AI is producing returns, where it has fallen short, and what banks in the MENA region can learn as they determine where to invest and deploy next.
11:00 - 11:25
11:25 - 12:05
How geopolitical developments, changing shipping routes and emerging maritime risks are reshaping international trade flows and creating new challenges for financial institutions. The session will examine the outlook for global shipping and supply chains before turning to the practical implications for trade finance—including rerouting, sanctions, insurance, documentation, pricing, risk appetite and transaction execution.
12:05 - 12:45
The payments landscape across MENA is evolving as central banks, commercial banks and new market entrants experiment with new forms of digital money alongside existing and emerging regional payment systems. But which innovations are actually gaining traction in the region, and what problems are they solving that today’s infrastructure cannot? This session will examine where tokenized deposits, stablecoins and CBDCs are being used or piloted across MENA; what could drive a bank to choose one form of settlement over another; and how these new models could coexist with conventional commercial bank deposits and regional payment systems. The discussion will also consider what interoperability will be needed as the landscape evolves and tackle a fundamental question for transaction banks: Are stablecoins a competitive threat, a new payment rail, or another form of money that banks will ultimately intermediate?
12:45 – 13:45
12:45 – 17:50
We've set aside this dedicated time for bilateral meetings with your clients and prospects. The BAFT Lounge is available for attendees who need meeting space. Simply reserve a table through the BAFT App.
13:15 - 14:30
This Forum is open to all attendees, regardless of gender, and included in your conference registration.
Session: Digital Money, Practical Decisions: The Future of Settlement in MENA
Explore the potential roles of tokenized deposits, stablecoins, and central bank digital currencies in transaction banking. The discussion will focus on use cases, interoperability, liquidity, and the requirements for moving from experimentation to adoption.
14:30 - 17:30
This workshop is included in your conference registration.
| Registration Type | Early Bird Rate Until November 20 |
Regular Rate November 20 – December 31 |
Last Minute Rate After December 31 |
| Member | $550 | $675 | $800 |
| Non-Member | $750 | $875 | $1,000 |
Member Pricing
Non-Member Pricing
Special Group Rate: Groups of six or more, including team members and clients, who register at the same time at the full conference rate may be eligible for a group discount. Contact [email protected] for additional information.
Please Note: You will be asked to log in to your BAFT web account to complete registration. If you have not reset your PW or created a BAFT account, please complete this step before proceeding with your registration.
Tod Burwell is the President and Chief Executive Officer of BAFT. Prior to being promoted to CEO, he served as the Senior Vice President of Trade Products with oversight of all trade-related initiatives including the Global Trade Industry Council, Trade Committees, and other strategic initiatives of the organization. Mr. Burwell has over 25 years of trade, supply chain and cash management experience as a banking practitioner, as well as serving as a consultant to global corporations and suppliers of strategically integrated trade solutions. Prior to joining BAFT, Mr. Burwell was a Managing Director at JPMorgan Chase and held senior global management roles responsible for trade operations, launching the logistics business and managing global product sales for trade finance and logistics management.
Join the transaction banking community along with others involved in cross-border payments and trade as they gather to discuss key issues and best practices at the 2027 BAFT MENA Forum. The MENA Forum is your opportunity to position your organization as a thought leader and connect with your clients. Plus, network with your colleagues or hold uninterrupted meetings with prospective and future clients during dedicated bilateral meeting sessions built into the program schedule.
SOLD OUT (First Abu Dhabi Bank)
2 Available (Arab Bank, Marex)
3 Available (Mashreq, StoneX)
6 Available (SocGen)
1 Available
2 Available
1 Available
1 Available
1 Available
2 Available
1 Available
SOLD OUT (First Abu Dhabi Bank)
1 Available
1 Available
1 Available
4 Available
Venue and Accommodations
The 2027 BAFT MENA Forum will be held at the Embassy Suites in Dubai’s Business Bay.
Embassy Suites by Hilton Dubai Business Bay
Marasi Drive, Business Bay | Dubai UAE | (Google Map)
Book Your Room
A special block of rooms at the Hilton Garden Inn Dubai Business Bay (connected to the Embassy Suites) have been reserved exclusively for BAFT conference attendees. These block of rooms often sell out, so book early to guarantee your room at the discounted attendee rate.
Hilton Garden Inn Dubai Business Bay: Starting at USD $322*
*Limited availability, rate is inclusive of breakfast & tax
Book your room by completing the hotel reservation form and send an email to [email protected].
Airport Transfers
BAFT has also arranged airport transfers for your convenience at USD $60 each way, up to 3 adults per car. Complete the hotel reservation form to reserve your airport transfers.
Interested in sponsoring the 2027 MENA Forum? We can tailor your sponsorship package to meet your goals.
To discuss your sponsorship options, please contact:
Matthew Kaitz
Head of Business Development
[email protected]
+1 (703) 200-9071