Licence or Product Purchase Required

You have reached the limit of premium articles you can view for free. 

Get expert, on-the-ground insights into the latest business and economic trends in more than 30 high-growth global markets. Produced by a dedicated team of in-country analysts, our research provides the in-depth business intelligence you need to evaluate, enter and excel in these exciting markets.

View licence options

Suitable for

  • Executives and entrepreneurs
  • Bankers and hedge fund managers
  • Journalists and communications professionals
  • Consultants and advisors of all kinds
  • Academics and students
  • Government and policy-research delegations
  • Diplomats and expatriates

This article also features in Financial Services Search Page. Read more about this report and view purchase options in our online store.

Financial Services Sector Research Highlights

Report: Exploring the role of banks in Saudi Arabia’s economic transformation

Saudi Arabia’s banking sector is evolving alongside broader economic diversification, investment mobilisation and financial sector development under Vision 2030. Strong macroeconomic...

The Report: Qatar 2026
OBG
plus

Banking Sector Analysis

Qatar’s economic diversification goals under its long-term economic blueprint – Qatar National Vision 2030 – positions its banking sector and its dynamic Islamic finance segment as an important pillar...

Saudi Arabia’s evolving banking sector

Oxford Business Group has launched a new Impact Report exploring the evolution of Saudi Arabia’s banking sector amid the country’s economic transformation. Banking is playing an increasingly critical...

Report: Saudi Arabia’s MSEs and freelancers are driving employment and economic diversification

Micro-sized and small enterprises (MSEs) and freelancers are expanding rapidly in Saudi Arabia, contributing to employment generation, economic diversification and the Kingdom’s competitiveness...

Special Reports on the Financial Services Sector
Cash Transformation Report

Report: How has public-private collaboration boosted digital and cash transformation in the Bahamas?

Public-private collaboration aimed at boosting digital payments and reducing cash usage in the Bahamas has made gains in a relatively short timeframe. Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, policymakers...
ESG Intelligence Report

Report: The financial sector's central role in tackling ESG issues in Mexico

Environmental, social and governance issues are a growing focus in Mexico, particularly social inclusion and transparency, followed by other governance and environmental matters. The financial sector has...
ESG Intelligence Report

Report: The future of sustainable finance in Kuwait’s banking sector

The regulatory landscape for Gulf financial service providers is changing, with growing awareness of the need for banking institutions to adopt sustainable finance frameworks and responsible lending...
Focus Report

Focus Report: Post-pandemic trends and opportunities on African stock exchanges

Although stock exchanges on the continent were affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, recovery is starting to take shape. The crisis underlined the need to build resilience and diversify the investor base...

Report: How has public-private collaboration boosted digital and cash transformation in the Bahamas?
Report: The financial sector's central role in tackling ESG issues in Mexico
Report: The future of sustainable finance in Kuwait’s banking sector
Focus Report: Post-pandemic trends and opportunities on African stock exchanges
 

Saudi Arabia’s digital payments sector drives Vision 2030 goals

In this Market Profile video, we explore how Saudi Arabia's rapidly evolving financial technology (fintech) sector, anchored by Vision 2030, is accelerating the Kingdom's digital transformation...

Report: Saudi Arabia’s fintech evolution – digital payments, inclusion and Vision 2030

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy places digital transformation at the centre of economic diversification. Financial technology (fintech) solutions, particularly digital payments, are helping to expand...

Financial Sector Analyses

Overview

Qatar's free zone growth boosts trade and investment
OBG
plus

Qatar occupies a strategic position in global trade as the world’s second-largest exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG). While trade revenue has historically withstood hydrocarbons price volatility, 2026 has brought new challenges, including export disruptions, shipping constraints and damage to LNG infrastructure. At the same time, reforms introduced following a modest post-2022 World Cup decline in foreign direct investment (FDI) have contributed to a renewed increase in inflows...

Interview

Khalid bin Ahmad Al Obaidli, Chairman and CEO, Economic Zones Company
OBG
plus

On how logistics infrastructure is driving long-term economic growth in Qatar

Analysis

Qatar's banking regulations shape traditional and digital finance
OBG
plus

Qatar’s conventional financial service providers are driving the adoption of digital banking services and mobile banking applications, underpinned by increasing customer demand for contactless payments and digital wallets amid high internet penetration and smartphone use. A regulatory framework for digital banks, introduced by the Qatar Central Bank (QCB) in December 2024, establishes guidelines for digital-only lenders to operate through online and mobile platforms, and for traditional banks seeking to establish separate...

Interview

Stephen Moss, Group CEO, Commercial Bank of Qatar
OBG
plus

On the finance sector’s role in driving diversification and sustainability

Overview

Qatar's Islamic finance sector gains momentum
OBG
plus

Qatar’s Islamic finance sector has become an increasingly important component of the country’s broader financial system, supported by the expansion of sharia-compliant banking, takaful (Islamic insurance) and sukuk (Islamic bonds) issuance. The sector benefits from a well-established regulatory framework and strong institutional participation, helping position Qatar as a key player in regional Islamic finance markets. Amid the ongoing conflict and heightened geopolitical uncertainty, these foundations are supporting stability...

Interview

Fahad bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, Group CEO, AlRayan Bank
OBG
plus

On Islamic banks pushing the sector’s digital transformation

Overview

Qatar's capital markets build investment resilience
OBG
plus

After showing strong growth in the period leading up to 2026, Qatar’s capital markets have since demonstrated both resilience and flexibility in the face of the recent Iran conflict. Investment in manufacturing, digital transformation, logistics and tourism, along with a doubling in liquefied natural gas (LNG) production, continue to be medium- and long-term growth drivers for the country. In the shorter term, investors are also looking forward to post-conflict reconstruction and rebuilding in places like Syria and Iraq...

Analysis

Specialty insurance sector adapts to regional tensions
OBG
plus

The Iran conflict and its consequences for maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz have laid bare structural weaknesses in global insurance markets that were present long before the first strikes. Within days of the outbreak of conflict in February 2026, war risk premium surged 500%, making transit economically unviable for most commercial operators...

Report: Sustainable finance and ESG adoption advancing across Kuwait and the GCC

Kuwait is strengthening its role in the GCC’s transition towards sustainable finance and low-carbon economic growth, in line with Kuwait Vision 2035 and regional environmental, social...

Sultanate of Oman’s finance and leasing sector fuelling economic diversification

In this Growth Perspectives video, OBG shows how the finance and leasing sector is contributing to the Sultanate of Oman's economic diversification efforts. Amid global economic headwinds, the sultanate...

Financial Services in Emerging Markets

Economic Update

Are war-related risk premiums creating a growth opportunity for emerging market insurance sectors?

The Iran war and its consequences for maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz have laid bare structural weaknesses in global insurance markets that were present long before the first strikes. Within days of the outbreak of conflict in late February 2026, war risk premium across the Gulf surged 500%, making transit economically unviable for most commercial operators. The world’s 12 major protection and indemnity clubs, which collectively underwrite the majority of ocean-going vessels, moved rapidly to cancel war cover...

Economic View

Homam Hashem, CEO, Financing Guarantee Program for SMEs (Kafalah)

On the role of banks in supporting SMEs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Economic View

Ahmad Jamal Zidan, General Manager, Arab Bank Syria

On adopting policies centred on stability and economic recovery

Economic News

Libya creates framework in pursuit of monetary stabilisation

Libya’s public finances have long been characterised by institutional division with authorities in the east and west of the country pursuing separate budgets and development agendas. This fragmentation had previously fuelled inflation and widened hard currency deficits. In November 2025 the Libyan House of Representatives and the Tripoli-based High State Council signed the agreement on the Unified Development Programme, a framework intended to consolidate spending channels and unify development priorities across...

Economic News

Abdulkader AlHussrieh, Governor, Central Bank of Syria

On reinforcing investor confidence by developing a functioning interbank market and deepening financial intermediation

Economic View

Ali Alragae, Secretary-General, Libyan Insurance Federation

On boosting penetration and the diversification of Libya’s insurance portfolio

Economic View

Mohammed Ali Addarrat, Chairman, Libyan Foreign Bank

On the changing commercial ecosystem and how governance reforms are evolving to align with international standards

Economic View

Kwabena Asante-Poku, Coverage Director, Ghana - British International Investment (BII)

On increasing finance for SMEs, women-led businesses and infrastructure development in Africa

The Report: Kuwait 2025
OBG
plus

Capital Market Sector Analysis

With the first half of 2025 witnessing annualised traded values and volumes almost doubling, and its market capitalisation surging by nearly a quarter, this has been a banner year for...

The Report: Qatar 2026
OBG
plus

Banking Sector Analysis

Qatar’s economic diversification goals under its long-term economic blueprint – Qatar National Vision 2030 – positions its banking sector and its dynamic Islamic finance segment as an important pillar for sustainable development and non-fossil fuel growth.

Featured Countries in