Rabat – Casablanca Finance City’s Deputy CEO, Lamia Merzouki, has been elected President of the World Alliance of International Financial Centres (WAIFC), marking a significant achievement for Morocco’s growing role in the global financial landscape.
Merzouki’s appointment, announced after the WAIFC’s Annual General Meeting in Tokyo on October 15, positions her to begin her term in January 2025, alongside Hubertus Väth, CEO of Frankfurt Main Finance, who was elected vice-chairman.
Merzouki will succeed Keiichi Aritomo, CEO of Tokyo FinCity, who has played an important role in advancing Tokyo’s status as a leading financial hub.
Aritomo, an executive director and co-founder of the Japan International Asset Management Centre, has been a significant figure in global financial strategy, leveraging his extensive experience at McKinsey & Company and Deloitte to promote Tokyo’s financial sector.
With her new leadership role, Merzouki is poised to bring fresh insights to WAIFC, drawing from her extensive experience in both Moroccan and international finance.
As vice-chair of the Alliance for the past two years, she has been instrumental in leading initiatives aimed at boosting the competitiveness and attractiveness of international financial centers.
Since joining Casablanca Finance City (CFC), Merzouki has overseen several key projects aimed at making CFC a gateway for financial services in Africa.
Under her leadership, CFC has attracted over 200 companies and has forged partnerships with 15 major international financial centers.
Known for her commitment to sustainable finance, Merzouki also serves as co-chair of the UNDP Financial Centres for Sustainability (FC4S), underlying her influence in promoting green finance.
Her impressive background includes key roles in Morocco’s largest private group, AKWA, where she directed strategy for seven years. She has also worked on the Green Morocco Plan and held leadership roles in various organizations, including Afriquia Gaz.
A graduate of ESSEC Business School and Harvard Business School, Merzouki’s international experience spans consulting, corporate strategy, and sustainability.
WAIFC, a non-profit association headquartered in Brussels, represents major international financial centers and fosters cooperation between them.
Since its founding in 2018, the alliance has expanded its membership to include financial hubs like London, Dubai, and Lagos. WAIFC’s projects focus on green investment, financial technology, and supporting small and medium-sized enterprises.
