Each working group is chaired by senior member representatives and supported by MFTA's policy team. Several groups are structured into dedicated subcommittees or pillars addressing specific areas of focus.
Membership in a working group is open to all MFTA members at Corporate tier and above. Associate members may attend as observers.
Join Us →Structures MFTA's regulatory engagement across four pillars payments, digital assets, financial crime, and stablecoins translating member expertise into policy positions regulators can act on.
The Policy & Regulations Working Group is MFTA's primary interface with central banks, financial regulators, and government ministries across MENA. It is co-chaired by Zain Umer (CFC MENA), Christine Abou Assali (Alem & Associates) & Akos Erzse (Coinbase) and structured around four pillars, each addressing a distinct area of regulatory engagement.
MFTA's payments working group, organized into three specialized subcommittees spanning B2B payments, merchant acceptance, and stablecoin payment rails.
SHIFT Payments brings MFTA's payments expertise together under one working group, chaired by Akshay Chopra and Clyde Rosanowski, with three dedicated subcommittees each led by a specialist from a major payments organization.
Engages regulators and market participants on frameworks for the responsible adoption of digital assets across MENA.
The Digital Assets Working Group engages regulators and industry on frameworks for the responsible adoption of digital assets across MENA. Meera Judge and Zain Umer were appointed co-chairs in August 2026, succeeding Ronit Ghose, Mo Ali Yusuf, and Serena Sebastiani.
Builds the technical and regulatory groundwork for open finance adoption across the region's banking and fintech sectors.
MFTA Open Finance Vision builds the technical and regulatory groundwork for open finance adoption across MENA's banking and fintech sectors, chaired by Nihal Abughattas, GM MEA at Ozone API.
Exploring how artificial intelligence is reshaping financial products, risk management, and infrastructure across MENA.
The Future of Finance & AI Working Group explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping financial products, risk, and infrastructure across MENA, chaired by Ronit Ghose.
Advances sustainable and green fintech practices across the region, connecting environmental finance expertise with MENA's fintech Network.
The MENA Sustainable Fintech Alliance advances sustainable and green fintech practices across the region. Dr Jelena Janjusevic (Heriot-Watt / EBS Dubai) was appointed chair in August 2026, succeeding Amelie Arras and Gihan Hyde.
Focused on fintech marketing and brand-building across the MENA Network.
Bridge focuses on fintech marketing and brand-building across the MENA Network. Chair information is being confirmed.
Focused on standards and collaboration across the region's digital-first banking landscape.
Digital Banking focuses on standards and collaboration across the region's digital-first banking landscape.
MFTA Working Groups bring together leading professionals, subject-matter experts, innovators, and industry stakeholders to collaborate on issues shaping the future of financial technology across the MENA region.
Working Group membership is selective and based on the relevance of an individual's expertise, experience, and contribution to the group's objectives.
Applicants are assessed based on:
Professional experience and subject-matter knowledge aligned with the Working Group.
Demonstrated involvement in fintech, financial services, technology, regulation, or related fields.
Understanding of or experience within MENA markets is highly valued.
Ability to contribute meaningful insights, perspectives, and practical expertise.
Willingness to actively participate in discussions, initiatives, and Working Group activities.
Individuals who bring credible industry experience and perspectives to the group.
Click "Join a Working Group" and complete the application form with your professional details, expertise, and areas of interest.
You'll receive an email confirming that your application has been successfully received by MFTA.
Your application will be reviewed by the relevant Working Group Chair(s) based on the group's focus, current priorities, and selection criteria.
If your profile aligns with the Working Group, the relevant Chair(s) will contact you regarding the next steps.
