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Emerging market investments are shrinking. How will MENA countries hit FDI targets? 

MENASource May 11, 2022

Emerging market investments are shrinking. How will MENA countries hit FDI targets? 

By Amjad Ahmad

A US economic slowdown or a recession couldn’t come at a worse time for emerging markets, particularly those in MENA, where most are fighting chronic unemployment, slowing growth, and higher debt levels.

Economy & Business Middle East
Turkey and the UAE are getting close again. But why now?

MENASource Mar 7, 2022

Turkey and the UAE are getting close again. But why now?

By Amjad Ahmad, Defne Arslan

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s February 14 visit to the UAE indicates that rapprochement is well underway. Strategic and economic factors are behind this shift and many benefits can come from closer ties.
Economy & Business Middle East
Saudi Arabia and the UAE are economic frenemies. And that’s a good thing.

MENASource Aug 2, 2021

Saudi Arabia and the UAE are economic frenemies. And that’s a good thing.

By Amjad Ahmad

Both Riyadh and Abu Dhabi have wisely made the economy the focal point of their strategies for the future, as evidenced by national policy changes and a reduction in foreign adventures. Ending the Qatar blockade, and opening a dialogue with adversarial neighbors like Iran and Turkey is linked to long-term economic ambitions.
Economy & Business Middle East

Events

Online Event Wed, September 7, 2022 • 11:00 am ET

Amman-Baghdad-Cairo (ABC) Agreement: A new path for economic integration
Economy & Business Energy & Environment International Markets Middle East
Online Event Tue, June 7, 2022 • 11:00 am ET

Balance of power: Promoting more women in leadership
Economy & Business Inclusive Growth Middle East Women
Online Event Tue, March 1, 2022 • 9:00 am ET

Inclusive finance in the MENA: How Fintech opens doors for the masses
Economy & Business Middle East
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empowerME Conversations

Feb 9, 2021

Transforming homz

By Atlantic Council

In episode 5 of empowerME Conversations podcast, host Amjad Ahmad interviews Homzmart Co-Founder and CEO Mahmoud Ibrahim about his multiple entrepreneurial ventures, the growth in e-commerce in the Middle East, proactive changes governments are making to laws and regulations (and changes that are still needed), the importance of developing talent through mentoring, women’s economic inclusion in his businesses, and the need for the region to go beyond digitization and create change through innovation.

Economy & Business Middle East

empowerME Conversations

Feb 2, 2021

From Fashion to Fintech

By Atlantic Council

In Season 1, Episode 4 of empowerME Conversations podcast, host Amjad Ahmad interviews Tabby Co-Founder and CEO Hosam Arab about why he became an entrepreneur and what it takes to succeed, the customer needs his companies have met, how he scaled his businesses across regional borders, the changes in e-commerce and payment options in recent years in the Middle East, and changes to laws and regulations that would boost business.

Economy & Business Iran

empowerME Conversations

Jan 26, 2021

Double Vision

By Atlantic Council

In Season 1, Episode 3 of empowerME Conversations podcast, host Amjad Ahmad interviews eyewa Co-Founders and Co-CEOs Anass Boumediene and Mehdi Oudghiri about the mindset that will create more entrepreneurs in the Middle East, policy changes that will lead to more unicorns, the acceleration of online payments and e-commerce, and new technologies that will soon replace in-person fitting rooms and eye tests.

Economy & Business Middle East
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Amjad Ahmad was chairman of the empowerME Initiative at the Atlantic Council and managing partner and emerging market advisor at 500 Global. Ahmad also serves on the board of directors of Amideast, Homzmart, Koita Foods, and Tapal Tea.

Ahmad has invested in emerging markets for over two decades, building two investment firms and providing over one billion dollars in venture and growth financing to companies in the Middle East, North Africa, Pakistan, and Turkey in sectors ranging from technology and education to healthcare and finance. Based in the Gulf for seventeen years before moving to Washington, DC, Ahmad has collaborated with business leaders, entrepreneurs, and investors to build companies in the Middle East.

Ahmad holds a master’s degree in international affairs with a concentration in international finance and economics from Columbia University and is a graduate of the general management program at Harvard Business School.