Visa Spotlights

In this episode we explore how policy, technology, and public‑private partnerships are reshaping financial inclusion as we move deeper into 2026. Host Dan Baxter, Vice President of Corporate Communications for Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East & Africa (CEMEA), sits down with Joanne Kubba, Visa’s SVP & Head of Government Affairs for CEMEA, to unpack the frameworks, regulatory models, and emerging technologies accelerating inclusive economic growth.
Together, they dive into how financial inclusion has shifted from a philanthropic aspiration to a cornerstone of global economic stability — and what it takes to scale it responsibly. Joanne breaks down the critical role of harmonized regulation, modern infrastructure, and cross‑sector collaboration in unlocking equitable access to financial services across diverse markets.
You’ll hear how Visa is:
• Enabling digital transformation through public‑private partnerships
• Modernizing cross‑border money movement through Visa Direct and regulated, payment‑grade stablecoin settlement
• Powering AI‑enabled opportunities for MSMEs through Visa Intelligent Commerce and the Trusted Agent Protocol
• Supporting government adoption of modern payment technologies while balancing innovation, interoperability, and consumer protection
• Strengthening ecosystem resilience with tokenization, digital identity, and global policy collaboration
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Spotify: https://bit.ly/3YNIz9S
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For more podcasts by Visa, visit: https://km.visamiddleeast.com/en_KM/about-visa/cemea-podcast.html#1

Visa Spotlights returns with a deep dive into the fast‑evolving world of payments as we enter 2026. In this episode, host Dan Baxter, Vice President of Corporate Communications for Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East & Africa (CEMEA), sits down with Tareq Muhmood, Visa’s Regional President for CEMEA, to unpack the forces reshaping how people pay, shop, and interact with money across one of the world’s most dynamic regions.

Together, they explore the state of the digital economy across CEMEA, the rapid acceleration of cash displacement, the rise of tokenization, and a fast‑maturing financial ecosystem. Looking ahead, Tareq breaks down six major trends defining 2026—from stablecoins moving into real‑world utility, to AI‑driven agentic commerce, to hyper‑personalized financial experiences built on trust and agility.

You will hear how Visa is:
• Expanding stablecoin settlement and enabling 7‑day‑a‑week cross‑border movement
• Building the trust framework for agentic commerce and next‑gen AI‑protected payments
• Fighting evolving fraud threats through biometrics, Visa Protect AI models, and Passkeys
• Powering the era beyond OTPs, manual guest checkout, and friction-heavy online purchases
• Accelerating financial inclusion through local partnerships across Africa, Central Asia, and South Asia
• Helping banks and merchants unlock “Segment of One” personalization with modular, data-rich systems

A forward-looking, insight-packed conversation for anyone interested in the future of payments — and how innovation, trust, and inclusion will shape the next wave of digital commerce in 2026 and beyond.

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Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3NSt0Lz
Spotify: https://bit.ly/3YNIz9S
YouTube: https://bit.ly/4qCTEa8
For more podcasts by Visa, visit: https://km.visamiddleeast.com/en_KM/about-visa/cemea-podcast.html#1

In this episode of Visa Spotlights, Reem Asaad, Visa’s SVP & Head of Client Services for Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (CEMEA), joins host Dan Baxter, Visa’s Vice President and Head of Corporate Communications for CEMEA, for a deep dive into how Visa is redefining client partnership in a fast-moving digital payments ecosystem.

Reem shares how Client Services supports every stage of the client journey – from pre‑launch readiness and implementation to long-term optimization through advisory, managed services, and continuous performance reviews. She discusses how her team stays ahead of rapid innovation, why agility matters more than ever, and how Visa ensures clients can adopt new capabilities securely and confidently.

The conversation also explores the transformative role of AI in payments, from predictive systems to new frontiers like agentic commerce. Reem highlights Visa’s investments in AI infrastructure, the rise of intelligent commerce, and how tools like Visa’s AI Onboarding Buddy are reshaping internal efficiency and client-facing value.

The discussion further highlights how Client Services partners closely with sales, product, and global teams to deliver unified client experiences – and why proactive engagement is essential for building trust and unlocking long-term success.
For more podcasts by Visa, visit: https://km.visamiddleeast.com/en_KM/about-visa/cemea-podcast.html#1

In the latest episode of Visa Spotlights, Walter Lironi, Visa’s Head of Value-Added Services for Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (CEMEA), sits down with James Mirfin, Global Head of Risk and Identity Solutions at Visa, to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the fraud landscape — and what it means for the future of trust in payments.
For more podcasts by Visa, visit: https://km.visamiddleeast.com/en_KM/about-visa/cemea-podcast.html#1

As digital transformation accelerates across Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (CEMEA), financial institutions face increasing pressure to modernize—reshaping their operations to become more agile, customer-centric, and innovation-ready.

In the latest episode of Visa Spotlights, Walter Lironi, Head of Value-Added Services for Visa in CEMEA, was joined by Vishal Dalal, CEO of Pismo. Together they unpack how Visa’s acquisition of Pismo is enabling banks and fintechs to leapfrog legacy constraints and build resilient, future-ready platforms that meet the demands of a digital-first world. 
For more podcasts by Visa, visit: https://km.visamiddleeast.com/en_KM/about-visa/cemea-podcast.html#1