Changemakers gather at LBS for annual MENA conference
Conversations around innovation, entrepreneurship, investment and impact shaped the 22nd annual MENA conference in London
On 3 May, London Business School’s Middle East and North Africa Club hosted the 22nd annual MENA conference at which students and influential voices from across the Middle East and North Africa gathered to explore the most pressing regional and global challenges.
Year after year, the LBS Annual MENA Conference draws a distinguished audience of leaders, diplomats, academics, industry experts, and students committed to shaping the region’s future. The 2025 conference theme, Beyond Visions: Inspiring Change, Creating Impact, reflected the region’s dynamic shift from ambition to execution where innovation, private capital, and entrepreneurial spirit converge to create tangible, lasting value.
The event, which was headlined by H.E. Dr. Nabeel Koshak, CEO of Saudi Venture Capital Company and sponsored by KAPSARC and SEDCO Holding, featured insightful panel discussions, fireside chats, and keynote conversations around three thematic pillars:
Innovation & Digital Transformation, including AI’s role in shaping industries and the future of work
Investments & Capital, focusing on public-private partnerships, regulatory evolution, and global capital flows
Entrepreneurship, highlighting the rise of regional unicorns, fintech pioneers, and inclusive innovation
High-profile speakers from institutions like SEDCO Holding, BCG, The Economist, Actis, Raed Ventures, and Salla shared perspectives on capital allocation, AI disruption, ecosystem building, and inclusive leadership across MENA.
Organised by the region’s future leaders, the conference was chaired by MENA Club President Omar Hashim and Vice-President Fatima AlMesaieid, with a broader organising committee drawn from across the Gulf and North Africa representing a wide range of industries from private equity and consulting to tech, healthcare, and academia.
Florin Vasvari, Professor of Accounting; Academic Director, Institute of Entrepreneurship and Private Capital, and newly named Executive Dean of Executive Education, Middle East, at LBS said:
“This year’s MENA Conference captured the region’s growing momentum where bold visions are turning into real-world impact. More than just a platform for thought leadership, the conference continues to serve as a catalyst for meaningful connections and cross-border collaborations. By bridging the global perspectives of our school, the conference contributes to the region’s transformation.”
