London Business School Hosts Annual MENA Conference

London Business School welcomed regional leaders and global experts to its 23rd Annual MENA Conference, bringing together policymakers, investors, entrepreneurs and academics to examine the forces transforming the Middle East and North Africa.

Held at the School’s London campus, the conference explored how the region is positioning itself at the centre of global economic change, with discussions focused on capital flows, the digital economy, climate resilience, fintech and artificial intelligence.

For more than two decades, the LBS Annual MENA Conference has served as one of the region’s leading platforms for dialogue and exchange, convening senior leaders from business, government and academia to debate the opportunities and challenges shaping MENA’s future.

“This year’s MENA Conference highlights how the region is positioning itself at the intersection of capital, innovation and global economic transformation,” said Florin Vasvari, Executive Dean of Executive Education, Middle East, at London Business School. “By bringing together policymakers, investors, entrepreneurs and academics, the conference creates an important platform for dialogue and collaboration that supports the region’s continued growth and global competitiveness.”

Across keynote conversations, fireside chats and panel discussions, speakers examined how sovereign wealth, private capital and technology investment are reshaping the region’s economic landscape. Sessions also explored the growth of MENA’s startup ecosystem, the evolution of digital financial infrastructure and the long-term capabilities required to build competitive AI-driven economies.

Climate resilience and industrial transformation featured prominently throughout the programme, with discussions focused on energy transition, infrastructure investment, water security and decarbonisation.

The conference was organised by current London Business School students and co-chaired by Abdul Aziz Al-Sibaai and Khaled Alawadhi, with support from Ghazi H. Sa’ad Eddin and Julie Assad. The wider organising committee reflected the diversity of the MENA region and included students from backgrounds spanning finance, venture capital, consulting, public policy and technology.

The Annual MENA Conference forms part of London Business School’s broader and growing engagement with the region. Alongside its longstanding Dubai campus, the School expanded its regional presence last year with the opening of an executive office in Riyadh, strengthening its support for leadership development and executive education across Saudi Arabia and the wider Gulf region.