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Economy

Lamia Merzouki’s Election Marks a New Era for Morocco in Global Finance

Yesterday 09:50 Journalists: Dakir Madiha

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In a landmark achievement for Morocco's financial landscape, Lamia Merzouki, Deputy CEO of Casablanca Finance City (CFC), has been elected President of the World Alliance of International Financial Centres (WAIFC). This significant development was announced during the WAIFC's Annual General Meeting held in Tokyo on October 15, with Merzouki set to assume her role in January 2025. She will work alongside Hubertus Väth, CEO of Frankfurt Main Finance, who has been elected as vice-chairman.

Merzouki will succeed Keiichi Aritomo, CEO of Tokyo FinCity, who has been instrumental in enhancing Tokyo’s reputation as a global financial hub. Aritomo’s leadership at WAIFC has been pivotal, utilizing his experience from notable firms like McKinsey & Company and Deloitte to elevate Tokyo’s financial standing.

With her extensive background in both Moroccan and international finance, Merzouki is positioned to infuse new perspectives into WAIFC. Having served as vice-chair of the Alliance for the past two years, she has played a crucial role in initiatives designed to enhance the competitiveness and appeal of international financial centers. Since joining CFC, Merzouki has led various projects aimed at establishing CFC as a central gateway for financial services across Africa. Under her stewardship, CFC has successfully attracted over 200 companies and established partnerships with 15 major international financial centers.

Merzouki is also recognized for her dedication to sustainable finance, holding the position of co-chair at the UNDP Financial Centres for Sustainability (FC4S), underscoring her commitment to advancing green finance initiatives. Her impressive professional trajectory includes key roles in Morocco's largest private group, AKWA, where she directed corporate strategy for seven years. Additionally, she has contributed to the Green Morocco Plan and held leadership positions in several organizations, including Afriquia Gaz.

WAIFC, headquartered in Brussels, is a non-profit association that represents major international financial centers and promotes collaboration among them. Since its establishment in 2018, the alliance has expanded to include notable financial hubs such as London, Dubai, and Lagos. WAIFC focuses on projects related to green investment, financial technology, and supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, aligning with the evolving needs of the global financial landscape.