Driving growth in MEA’s evolving fund ecosystem

Private markets across the Middle East and Africa (MEA) are entering a period of accelerated maturity. Regulatory reforms, deeper pools of capital and a more sophisticated ecosystem of asset managers, banks and advisors are collectively reshaping the region’s investment landscape. This evolution was at the centre of the recent IQ-EQ Dubai Series panel at Capital Club Dubai, where MCB joined industry leaders to discuss the growing connectivity between Middle Eastern investors and African opportunities. With its presence in the DIFC and long-standing track record in fund finance, MCB contributed a perspective grounded in experience and strategic regional engagement.

In his remarks, Ashvin Deena, Global Head of Coverage at MCB, emphasised that meaningful impact begins with fundamentals. “Sometimes there are many fund managers who actually struggle to find a banking partner that can provide the basic transactional solutions for their business, and we like to think that MCB has these capabilities.” He highlighted that this applies to both established and emerging managers, underscoring the need for products and services that support the full lifecycle of a fund.

Deena also spoke about MCB’s continued expansion in fund financing. “We’ve been continuously improving our offering, to some degree also broadening our risk appetite to support our clients.” What truly differentiates MCB, however, is its relationship-led approach: instead of viewing engagements as isolated transactions, the bank focuses on understanding the rationale behind each investment and tailoring products and services to suit the specific needs of every client and every deal.

Looking ahead, Ashvin highlighted the rising global relevance of the region, noting that the UAE is gaining influence as a centre for private markets activity. As he put it, “this part of the world will continue to gain gravitas… and certainly MCB will be part of that as we follow our clients.”