Fadi Al Faqih
Building Financial Institutions. Transforming Markets.
Creating Sustainable Long-Term Value.
Fadi Al Faqih is a banking, investment, and financial services executive with 30+ years of leadership experience across the Middle East, Africa, and selected international markets. He has led financial institutions through transformation, regulatory reform, digital modernisation, governance enhancement, and strategic growth, with a particular focus on emerging and frontier markets.
Selected
Institutional Milestones
Led institutional reform, sanctions compliance and restructuring programmes across banking, investment and financial services.
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2011
U.S. Sanctions Engagement
Led Bank of Khartoum's strategic engagement that culminated in the lifting of U.S. sanctions restrictions affecting the bank in 2011, supporting its reintegration into international banking networks.
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2010—2017
IIRA Fiduciary Rating
Under his leadership, Bank of Khartoum obtained and maintained an IIRA fiduciary rating of AA-(sd)/A1(sd), with a stable outlook, and underwent EY-led compliance audits.
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2026
DIAC Arbitration Appointment
Appointed in 2026 to the Reserve List of Arbitrators of the Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC).
A Career
Defined by
Transformation
From senior roles within global institutions including ANZ Grindlays, Standard Chartered, and Citigroup, Fadi developed a foundation spanning finance, operations, risk, compliance, technology, and institutional management before progressing into transformational CEO leadership.
Full BiographyFadi Salim Al Faqih is a Jordanian banking, investment and financial services executive with nearly three decades of senior leadership across the Middle East, Africa and selected European markets, with a particular focus on emerging and frontier economies. His career spans Standard Chartered Bank, Citigroup, Dubai Islamic Bank, Bank of Khartoum, International Development Bank – Iraq, Power International Holding, and Estithmar Capital.
Where Expertise
Meets Impact
Banking & Financial Services
Sharia-compliant financial strategy, sukuk structuring, and Islamic banking governance across emerging markets.
Investment & Capital Allocation
Core banking modernization, digital roadmaps, and customer experience overhaul for established financial institutions.
Institutional Transformation
Startup mentorship, fintech ecosystem development, and advisory through DIFC FinTech Hive, Trice and Aurum Finance.
Digital Banking & Fintech
Growth planning, market expansion, institutional transformation, and Board-level advisory across the region.
Islamic Finance
Cross-border banking solutions, trade digitization, risk management, and correspondent banking relationships.
Governance & Board Leadership
Microfinance programs, profit-sharing partnerships, and expanding financial inclusion in underserved markets.
Rebuilding Institutions
From the Inside Out
Fadi’s leadership experience has frequently involved institutions operating through periods of significant change – regulatory reform, market disruption, governance transformation, sanctions-related complexity, digital modernisation, or strategic repositioning. His approach combines governance, regulatory credibility, commercial strategy, technology, people, and execution to build institutions capable of delivering sustainable performance.
Governance & Control Environments
Strengthening governance frameworks, internal control environments, and AML/CFT and sanctions-compliance capabilities.
Sanctions Compliance & Regulatory Engagement
Managing institutional positioning and compliance within applicable U.S., EU and UN sanctions frameworks.
Correspondent Banking Relationships
Reinstating international correspondent banking relationships for sanctions-sensitive institutions operating under heightened compliance requirements.
Business Model Restructuring
Rebuilding institutions to be compliant with regulatory requirements and internationally credible, while restoring commercial viability and sustainable profitability.
Executive
Track Record
Chief Executive Officer
Appointed Group Chief Executive Officer of Estithmar Capital to lead the development of a multi-sector platform spanning banking, insurance, fintech, advisory, and strategic investments.
Chief Executive Officer
Led the institutional reform and modernization of Iraq's International Development Bank, driving institutional growth and regional positioning.
Founder, Elavin · Co-Founder, Trice · Founder, Aurum Finance
Founded Elavin, a Dubai-based financial consultancy. Co-founded Trice, a digital trade-finance platform developed in partnership with Azentio Software. Founded Aurum Finance, a UK-based fintech venture focused on electronic money and digital payments.
Chief Executive Officer
Led the institutional reform of Sudan's largest bank. Led the strategic engagement that culminated in the lifting of U.S. sanctions restrictions affecting the bank in 2011, supporting its reintegration into international banking networks. 2010–2017: 8x profit growth, 6x deposit expansion and 7x financing growth; 27% CAGR. Obtained and maintained an IIRA fiduciary rating of AA-(sd)/A1(sd) with a stable outlook.
Chief Financial Officer
Ensured financial compliance with U.S. and local accounting standards; contributed to Basel II implementation on the Central Bank of Jordan committee.
Senior Banking Roles
Senior positions across major banks — building foundational expertise in both conventional and Islamic banking in Jordan and the wider region.
Estithmar
Capital
At Estithmar Capital, Fadi leads the development of an integrated financial services and investment platform across regulated financial services and strategic investments. His mandate combines institutional development, disciplined capital allocation, portfolio governance, strategic partnerships, and the creation of scalable businesses across regional and international markets.
Banking and Financial Services Investments
Capital Allocation and Portfolio Oversight
Governance of Regulated Financial Institutions
Cross-Border Institutional Development
Industry Awards &
Recognition
Islamic Banker of the Year
Recognized at the World Islamic Banking Conference for transformational leadership in Islamic finance and exceptional results at BOK.
Banking CEO of the Year, Africa
Awarded at WIBC Bahrain in recognition of outstanding performance and strategic growth steered during his tenure.
Islamic Banker of the Year
First recognition of consistent excellence in Islamic banking leadership, establishing his reputation on the global stage.
Speaking
& Media
Speaking at the world's premier Islamic finance and banking conferences, bringing a practitioner's perspective to the most pressing challenges in emerging market finance.
View All“Islamic banking has the potential to be the most impactful financial model for emerging markets — not despite its principles, but because of them.”
Executive
Insights
Digital Banking in Emerging Markets: Lessons from Sudan
How Bank of Khartoum navigated sanctions, currency volatility, and a full digital transformation simultaneously — and what it means for banks operating under constraint.
Read MoreThe Future of Islamic Banking in Emerging Markets
How Sharia-compliant finance can drive inclusive growth across underserved economies.
Read MoreAI in Financial Services: A Practitioner’s View
Separating hype from reality in the application of AI across core banking and customer experience.
Read MoreStrategic Enquiries
For board, investment, media, speaking, and strategic financial services enquiries, please use the contact form below.