S2E01 - Akshay Chopra, Head of Innovation & Product Design @ Visa CEMEA Emerging Markets Growth Leaders

This week, we are delighted to welcome Akshay Chopra, Head of Innovation & Product Design at Visa, CEMEA. Based in Dubai, Akshay covers the CEMEA Region, which comprises over 90 distinct markets in Central Europe, Middle East & Africa. Akshay joins us to share his unique and fascinating insights of payments and innovation across these regions, with a focus on the Middle East.

Please find below the episode summary:


1:16 - Welcome & how have you been?
3:36 - Akshay’s role at Visa
9:10 - Design thinking principles & innovation labs
13:30 - Initial Impressions of the Middle East
17:33 - Exciting advances in the Middle East
22:56 - Russia, Central Europe & Africa - leaders in innovation
21:43 - Visa Innovation Department
32:28 - Fintech in the Middle East
36:03 - What we can look forward to?
40.48 - Quickfire question round