H.H. Maktoum bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance, and President of Dubai International Financial Centre, met with Nonkululeko Nyembezi, Independent Non-Executive Chairperson of Standard Bank Group. The meeting reinforced Dubai’s commitment to expanding strategic financial partnerships that connect global capital flows with new growth opportunities.
Strengthening Financial Ties Between Regions
During the discussion, Sheikh Maktoum highlighted the UAE’s ambition to solidify its status as a leading global hub for finance, capital, and trade. He emphasized that the country’s advanced infrastructure, forward-looking regulations, and pro-business environment continue to attract major financial institutions seeking to grow across emerging markets.
The talks explored the bank’s plans to expand its presence in the Middle East and deepen collaboration with the UAE’s rapidly evolving financial ecosystem. Both sides discussed how Dubai can help connect GCC capital with infrastructure development opportunities in Africa, thereby strengthening Middle East–Africa economic ties.
Driving Shared Prosperity
Sheikh Maktoum noted Dubai’s strategic role as a bridge linking global markets and accelerating initiatives that deliver long-term, shared prosperity. This vision aligns with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism’s Economic Agenda (D33), which aims to double the emirate’s GDP and position it among the world’s top four financial hubs by 2033.
Founded in Johannesburg, Standard Bank Group operates in 20 African countries and key financial centers worldwide. It has been active in the UAE since 1997, opening its first overseas branch in the DIFC in 2006. Today, the bank serves more than 19.2 million clients globally.
The meeting at Sheikh Maktoum’s Dubai office was also attended by Helal Saeed Almarri, Essa Kazim, Hesham Abdulla Al Qassim, and Arif Amiri.
