The UN Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) is hosting its Regional Roundtable on Sustainable Finance for Africa and the Middle East on May 6-7, 2025, in Marrakech, Morocco. This key event, open to UNEP FI members and non-members, will play a crucial role in shaping the sustainable finance agenda, driving the transition toward a greener, more just economy, and securing a sustainable future for the region.

As part of UNEP FI’s biennial series of five major regional events on sustainable finance in 2025, the Africa and Middle East Roundtable will highlight innovative responses to emerging global trends in sustainable finance and responsible banking and insurance practices. The event will bring together finance professionals to discuss critical sustainability issues, including climate mitigation and adaptation, nature-positive finance, just transition and financial inclusion, sustainability policy and regulation, real economy transition, carbon trading, and carbon finance, among others.

Register here to join in person or access event recordings afterward. View the event FAQs below.

Are you a Moroccan financial institution interested in participating in a Climate Mitigation Workshop hosted by UNEP FI as part of the Africa & Middle East Regional Roundtable 2025? If so, please get in touch with us at: roundtable@unepfi.org

Showcase your leadership and partner with us

Partnering with UNEP FI on a Regional Roundtable offers a unique opportunity to demonstrate your commitment to advancing the sustainable finance agenda globally. It also enhances your brand’s visibility among the global finance community, UNEP FI members, and key stakeholders. Please contact Melissa Angel for more information.

Contact us for any questions or comments at: roundtable@unepfi.org

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Regional Roundtable Africa & Middle East 2025?
The Regional Roundtable (RRT) on Sustainable Finance Africa & Middle East 2025 is part of UNEP FI’s biennial series of events, bringing together finance professionals, policymakers, and industry leaders to discuss and shape the sustainable finance agenda in the region. The event will focus on critical sustainability topics, including climate mitigation and adaptation, nature-positive finance, just transition and financial inclusion, sustainability policy and regulation, real economy transition, carbon trading, and carbon finance, among others. The Roundtable aims to drive meaningful dialogue and action toward a greener and more just economy in Africa and the Middle East.

When and where will the event take place?
The event is scheduled for May 6th to 7th, 2025 in Marrakech, Morocco.

Who should attend?
The Roundtable is open to financial institutions, regulators, policymakers, sustainability experts, and other stakeholders engaged in sustainable finance in Africa and the Middle East.

Can I join online?
The Regional Roundtables are in-person events. However, session recordings will be uploaded online shortly after the event.

Is registration required?
Yes, registration is required to attend the event. Please note that space is limited, so it is recommended to register early.

Is there a registration fee?
This year, the Roundtables are free of charge. However, kindly note that submitting your registration does not guarantee approval to attend. You will receive a confirmation email once your registration has been approved.

How do I register?
Please register here. Your registration will be confirmed by email.

I’ve registered to attend in-person. Do I have to pay for anything else?
Participants traveling to Marrakech are responsible for their own travel arrangements and related costs, including transportation, visa (if applicable), food, and accommodation.

Does UNEP FI cover travel or accommodation costs for attendees or speakers?
UNEP FI does not provide financial support for travel or accommodation. All attendees and speakers are expected to cover their own costs.

Do I need a visa to attend?
A visa is required for some nationalities.

Please visit this page to find out if you need a visa for Morocco and whether you can apply online or in person. The e-Visa platform is available here, and you can also refer to the Moroccan Consulate website for more information.

Additionally, ensure that your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay in Morocco. It is recommended that you check the specific entry requirements with the Moroccan consulate or embassy in your country to confirm.

Participants are responsible for arranging and covering their own travel expenses, including visas. Unfortunately, UNEP FI unable to assist with visa applications.

Please be aware that visa approvals are solely at the discretion of Moroccan authorities, and event registration does not guarantee entry into Morocco. We recommend checking visa requirements well in advance and applying as early as possible.

What is the best way to travel around Marrakech?
The best way to get around Marrakech is by taxi, with regulated fares: 70 dirhams during the day and 100 dirhams at night for trips to and from the airport. To ensure a fair price, use official taxis—typically red—and make sure they have a meter or agree on a fare before starting your ride. Be mindful that some drivers may try to overcharge tourists.
Most hotels provide taxi services, and there is an official taxi counter inside the airport where you can arrange a ride.
Marrakech is also a walkable city, with the Old Town approximately 30 minutes away on foot. The area is very safe for tourists, though the weather in May can be quite hot, so staying hydrated and dressing accordingly is recommended.

For more details, visit Marrakech’s official tourism website.

 

Will there be interpretation services available?
Real-time interpretation between French and English will be available at the Climate Mitigation Workshop on May 8th.

Are you a Moroccan financial institution interested in participating in a Climate Mitigation Workshop hosted by UNEP FI as part of the Africa & Middle East Regional Roundtable 2025? If so, please get in touch with us at: roundtable@unepfi.org

Will there be Wi-Fi at the venue?
Yes, free Wi-Fi will be available at the venue.

What other practical information should I keep in mind?
The local currency in Marrakech is the Moroccan Dirham (MAD). Credit cards are widely accepted, but carrying some cash (Advice to use local currency cash, especially for Taxis, in Markets and small shops )is recommended for smaller transactions.

In May, Marrakech experiences warm and pleasant weather, with daytime temperatures ranging from 20°C to 30°C (68°F–86°F). It is suggested to drink plenty of water during the day. Evenings can be cooler, so it is advisable to bring an extra layer. Rain is rare, and the city enjoys plenty of sunshine.

Morocco operates on 220V/50 Hz electricity. The standard plug types used are C and E (two-round pin plugs). Travelers may need an adapter.

SIM cards are available in the airport and everywhere in the city

Emergency services and useful numbers

  • Police: 190 
  • Ambulance: 150  
  • Fire: 150  
  • Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK) Information Desk: +212 524 43 79 10
  • Tourist Police: +212 524 38 46 01 0r +212 524 88 86 80 (toll-free number, accessible 24 hours a day, is available to tourists in Morocco)
  • Roadside Assistance: 177

Who can I contact regarding further questions?
For any additional questions, please contact roundtable@unepfi.org with the subject line: FAQ_AME2025.


Day 1   |  6 May 2025
Time Session 
8:30 Registration and opening of UNEP FI Regional Roundtable Africa and Middle East
9:00 Opening and keynotes

  • Eric Usher, Head, UNEP FI
  • Rose Mwebaza, Director, UNEP Regional Office for Africa (ROA)
9:20 High-level dialogue: Regional collaboration to support sustainability goals

  • Mahmoud Mohieldin, UN Special Envoy on Financing the 2030 Agenda
  • ​Louise Gardiner, Senior Operations Officer, Financial Institutions Group, IFC | Climate Finance Lead, Eastern and Southern Africa
  • Moderator: Eric Usher, Head, UNEP FI
10:00 Plenary panel: Accelerating the real economy transition in Africa and Middle East

  • Gloria Zvaravanhu, CEO, Old Mutual
  • Hany Bahy, CFO and Head of Corporate Finance, Sekem Group
  • Ourèye Sakho Eklo, Deputy Director General for Innovation and Financing, West African Development Bank (BOAD)
  • Moderator: Nuran Ashraf Atef, Africa and Middle East Regional Lead, UNEP FI
10:50 Break
11:20 Plenary panel: Advancing action on climate adaptation and resilience

  • Ali Haider, Senior Climate Finance Specialist, Global Green Growth Institute
  • Charles Nhemachena, Regional Director for Africa, Global Center on Adaptation
  • Philip Lopokoiyit, CEO, ICEA LION Group  
  • Yusuf Bodiat, Head of Finance and Investment, African Risk Capacity
  • Moderator: Diana Diaz, Climate Adaptation Specialist, UNEP FI
12:20 Plenary panel: Unlocking private finance for the Sustainable Development Goals

  • Hamid Tawfiki, CEO, CDG Capital and Deputy CEO, CDG Group
  • Nabil Badr, Deputy Director of Banking Supervision Department, Bank Al-Maghrib
  • Moderator: Maria Eugenia Sosa Taborda, Membership and Regional Co-ordination Manager, UNEP FI
    12:50 Lunch
    13:40 Plenary panel: V20 SIF: Financing & insuring MSMEs for climate adaptation & resilience

    • Daniel Udeme Joseph, CEO, Farm Monitor
    • Nungari Mwangi, Strategy, Program Development & Partnerships Lead, Agri-SME Development and Innovative Financing, African Development Bank Group (AfDB)
    • Solène Favre, Global Director of Insurance, VisionFund International
    • Moderator: Diana Chepngeno, Africa and Middle East Coordinator, V20 Sustainable Insurance Facility, UNEP FI
    Deep dive sessions   Deep dive sessions 
    14:50 Portfolio analysis and materiality assessment for banks

    • Mohamed Saeed, Sustainable Finance Business Head, Arab African International Bank (AAIB)
    • Najwa Mouhaouri, Head of Climate Finance Regulation Department, Bank Al-Maghrib
    • Salma Chemsi, Head of Agricultural Expertise and Sustainable Development Pole, Crédit Agricole du Maroc
    • Samuel Tiriongo, Director of Research and Policy, Kenya Bankers Association
    • Suzan Hamdy, Chief Sustainability and Sustainability Officer, Banque Misr
    • Moderator: Costanza Ghera, Content Manager for SDGs and Impact, UNEP FI
    Nairobi Declaration: Embedding sustainability into African insurance markets

    • Amine Ryane, Director of International Development & Partnerships, SCR (CDG Group)
    • Emeka Akwiwu, Executive Director – Technical Operations, Continental Re
    • Liz Booth, CEO, Managing Editor, Africa Ahead & Steering Committee Member, Nairobi Declaration on Sustainable Insurance
    • Patience Mashaire Marwiro, CEO, Emeritus Reinsurance Company
    • Philip Lopokoiyit, CEO, ICEA LION Group
    • Moderator: Iara De Sousa, Africa Implementation Coordinator, PSI Initiative, UNEP FI
    15:50 Break  
    16:20 Healthy and inclusive economies: the role of banks

    • Roselyne Njino, Senior Sustainability Specialist, Kenya Bankers Association
    • Tonna Ezema, Head of Sustainable Banking, Fidelity Bank
    • Moderator: Laura Diaz Zea, Social Impact Lead for Banks, UNEP FI 
    Insuring a resilient nature-positive future

    • Caroline Wakesho Sonje, ESG Specialist, ICEA LION Group
    • Noleen Moyo, Head of Sustainability, Data Management and Analytics, ZimRe
    • Christine Arandi, ESG Specialist, Britam Holdings Plc
    • Moderator: Iara De Sousa, Africa Implementation Coordinator, PSI Initiative, UNEP FI
    17:20 Workshop for banks: Principles for Responsible Banking framework updates and discussion

    • Judith Sidi Odhiambo, Group Head Corporate Affairs, KCB Group
    • Mohamed Saeed, Sustainable Finance Business Head, Arab African International Bank (AAIB)
    • Nana Yaa Afriyie Ofori-Koree, Head of Partnerships, Sustainability & CSR, Fidelity Bank Ghana
    • Moderator: Johanna Dichtl, Implementation Guidance Lead, Banking, UNEP FI
    Workshop for banks and insurers: Nature in the boardroom
    18:30 End of Day 1

     

    Day 2  |  7 May 2025
    Time Session
    8:30 Registration and Opening of Day 2 of the Regional Roundtable for Africa and Middle East
    9:00 Opening remarks
    9:10 Keynote
    9:20 Plenary panel: Regulatory developments promoting sustainable finance

    • Lily Burge, Policy Manager, Climate Bonds Initiative
    • Samuel Tiriongo, Director of Research and Policy, Kenya Bankers Association
    • Walid Ali, General Manager, Sustainability Department, Central Bank of Egypt
    • Yasser Mounsif, Director of Issuers, Moroccan Capital Market Authority
    • Moderator: Amal Benaissa, Director, Sustainability Advocacy, Bank of Africa – BMCE Group
    10:10 High-level dialogue: Advancing carbon markets in Africa and Middle East

    • Eslam Mahdy, Associate Director of Sustainability, Guidehouse & Africa and Middle East Regional Lead, PCAF
    • Mohammed Rachid, Institutional Affairs Director, Casablanca Finance City Authority
    • Moderator: Gaston Kwa Fosah, Africa & Middle East Regional Associate, UNEP FI
    10:40 Break
    Deep dive sessions   Deep dive sessions 
    11:10 Engaging banking clients and customers for a sustainable future

    • Boitumelo Sethlatswe, Head of Sustainability, Standard Bank Group
    • Shargiil Bashir, Chief Sustainability Officer and Executive Vice President, First Abu Dhabi Bank
    • Suzan Hamdy, Chief Sustainability Officer and Chief Sustainable Finance Officer, Banque Misr
    • Moderator: Johanna Dichtl, Implementation Guidance Lead, Banking, UNEP FI
    Unlocking circular economy finance

    • Bezawit Eshetu, Regional Coordinator for East Africa, African Circular Economy. Network
    • Sane Lahlou, Country Representative Morocco, UNIDO
    • Zouhair Bou-Sokri, Member of the FI Banking Team, EBRD
    • Moderator: Nuran Ashraf Atef, Africa and Middle East Regional Lead, UNEP FI
    12:10 Lunch  
    13:00 Supporting a just and inclusive transition in Africa and Middle East

    • Badri Seetharaman. Director of Middle East and North Africa Region, StepChange
    • Mamoun Tahri-Joutei, Central Director, Business Intelligence & Sustainability, Bank Of Africa – BMCE Group
    • Walid Machrouh, National Project Coordinator (CNP), the Green4Youth Project, ILO
    • Yusuf Bodiat, Head of Finance, African Risk Capacity
    • Moderator: Laura Diaz Zea, Social Impact Lead for Banks, UNEP FI 
    How finance can develop and scale up nature-based solutions

    • Chiyedza Heri, Founder, Ubuntu Alliance
    • Hassan Aftab Sheikh, Career Development Fellowship in Nature Finance, University of Oxford
    • Henda Sebai, Head of Risk Management Department, Tunis Re
    • Noleen Moyo, Head of Sustainability, Data Management and Analytics, ZimRe
    • Moderator: Romie Goedicke den Hertog, Co-Lead, Nature, UNEP FI
    14:00 Workshop for banks: Navigating the climate mitigation journey: A practical workshop for banks

    • Boitumelo Sethlatswe, Head of Sustainability, Standard Bank Group
    • Eslam Mahdy, Associate Director of Sustainability, Guidehouse & Africa and Middle East Regional Lead, PCAF
    • Ghizlaine Nourlil, Financing Mobilization and Sustainability Group Director, CDG Group
    • Shargiil Bashir, Chief Sustainability Officer and Executive Vice President, First Abu Dhabi Bank
    • Moderator: Youssef Boumaiz, Climate Coordinator for Africa & Middle East, UNEP FI
    Workshop for insurers: Advancing Sustainable Insurance in Africa & the Middle East: PSI Focus Areas

    • Monday Utomwen, Chief Risk officer, Waica Reinsurance Corporation
    • Sesilia Nkoshi, Senior Underwriter for Non-life Reinsurance, Namibia National Reinsurance Corporation
    • Moderator: Iara De Sousa, Africa Implementation Coordinator, PSI Initiative, UNEP FI
    15:30 Break
    16:00 UNEP FI Members’ engagement forum for Africa and Middle East (UNEP FI members only)
    Theme: Unlocking opportunities – The business case for financing agriculture

    • Alessandra Garbero, Lead Regional Economist for NEN Region, IFAD
    • Moderators: Nuran Ashraf Atef, Africa and Middle East Regional Lead, UNEP FI, and Gaston Kwa Fosah, Africa & Middle East Regional Associate, UNEP FI
    Outreach for banks and insurance on PSI and PRB (presentations and networking)
    17:15 End of Day 2

    Partner

     

    Showcase your leadership and partner with us

    Partnering with UNEP FI on a Regional Roundtable offers a unique opportunity to demonstrate your commitment to advancing the sustainable finance agenda globally. It also enhances your brand’s visibility among the global finance community, UNEP FI members, and key stakeholders. Please contact Melissa Angel for more information.