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We’re continuing my conversation with Hazem Barakat, co-founder and Chairman of B Investments. On this episode, Hazem outlines their core formula for backing new ventures and why surviving a young market means being a generalist over a specialist. You can also catch Part 1 of my conversation with Hazem, where he talks about the personal turning points that shaped his life and his pivot into private equity in Egypt, in your podcast app. This episode is brought to you by EFG Hermes One, your one app for investing in more than 35 stock markets. Start investing today! (00:00) - On this episode (03:12) - The hard lessons (07:27) - Education, healthcare and agriculture (09:54) - The B Investments playbook Music ID: 5ROQ12DERYHSUUVQ

Hazem Barakat, co-founder and Chairman of B Investments, joins me on the show to talk about the personal turning points that shape how he leads and lives, and the realities of private equity in Egypt. On Part 1, we talk about moving to the US at 16, returning to work with his father in the family firm and the importance of ethics and hard work. On Part 2 coming up next week, we’ll dive into the world of private equity and investor interest in sectors such as education, healthcare and agriculture. This episode is brought to you by EFG Hermes One, your one app for investing in more than 35 stock markets. Start investing today! (00:00) - On this episode... (03:10) - Moving to the US (08:58) - Working with his father (13:37) - The move to private equity (22:12) - Lightning Round Music ID: 5ROQ12DERYHSUUVQ

Award-winning anchor, journalist and author Hala Gorani returns to the show to talk about returning to field reporting and the future of journalism & independent media. Hala also catches me up on what she’s been up to since I first spoke to her in 2023, right after she had finished writing her book But You Don’t Look Arab. This episode is part of Encore, where I check-in with your favourite WIDN alumni. We’ll continue this segment with more of the show’s alumni, so stay tuned. (00:00) - Coming up (02:20) - Reporting: Truth, opinion and now Substack (24:25) - Future of independent media (37:52) - Lighting Round Music ID: 5ROQ12DERYHSUUVQ

We’re continuing my conversation with Suzanne Zeidy and Rawah Badrawi, he co-authors of a new book Egypt: Recipes and Stories from an Ancient Land. On this episode, Suzanne and Rawah tell me about their life’s pivots, marriage, children and friendship. We also talk about being the sandwich generation, and whether we can really have it all. This episode is brought to you by: EFG Hermes One: your one app for investing in more than 35 stock markets. Start investing today!Azza Fahmy Jewellery On the episode, Malak is wearing Azza Fahmy’s Fallahy Kaf Earrings, the Mamluki Kaf Bangle and the Gold Roman Chain Ring.Suzanne Zeidy is wearing Azza Fahmy’s T-Lock Necklace and Gold Rosette Necklace, the Joyful Ring and the Endearment Gold Ring Rawah Badrawi is wearing Azza Fahmy’s Mabrouka Earrings and Filigree Kaf Ring. Music ID: 5ROQ12DERYHSUUVQ

I’m joined today by Suzanne Zeidy and Rawah Badrawi, the co-authors of a new book Egypt: Recipes and Stories from an Ancient Land, which is part travelogue and part culinary journey. They also happen to be two of my closest friends! On Part 1 of our conversation, Suzanne and Rawah tell me how they came together to write this incredible book, and how they peeled away the fears and uncertainties of local communities to reveal a vibrant and rich culture not seen before by the outside world. We’ll continue the conversation in Part 2 next week, where Suzanne and Rawah tell me about their life’s trajectories and take on our signature lightning round. This episode is brought to you by: EFG Hermes One: your one app for investing in more than 35 stock markets. Start investing today!Azza Fahmy JewelleryOn the episode, Malak is wearing Azza Fahmy’s Fallahy Kaf Earrings, the Mamluki Kaf Bangle and the Gold Roman Chain Ring.Suzanne Zeidy is wearing Azza Fahmy’s T-Lock Necklace and Gold Rosette Necklace, the Joyful Ring and the Endearment Gold Ring Rawah Badrawi is wearing Azza Fahmy’s Mabrouka Earrings and Filigree Kaf Ring. Chapters:0:00 On this episode...3:08 Suzanne’s first book: Cairo Kitchen5:12 Rawah’s first book: Siwa6:56 Coming together for ‘Egypt’16:36 The magic of Sinai20:57 The book’s audience24:59 AI and the Future of Books Music ID: 5ROQ12DERYHSUUVQ

This week, I'm sitting down with my producer Chirag Desai to reflect on a whirlwind first half of the year—from interviewing iconic figures and taking the show international to the importance of reclaiming our narrative.  We talk about what drives the show, the magic of the MENA region, and what it truly means to create space for our own stories. This episode is brought to you by: EFG Hermes One: your one app for investing in more than 35 stock markets. Start investing today!Azza Fahmy JewelleryChapters:0:00 Coming up...1:44 WIDN goes international4:30 Reclaiming our narrative13:25 An updated lightning round18:12 What's next for MalakMusic ID: 5ROQ12DERYHSUUVQ

This week, we're continuing the conversation with Karim Mekhtigian and Mohamed Fares, where they tell me about their design philosophy, and their new destination in Downtown Cairo, Tamara Haus, which is where we recorded the episode. Karim & Fares, alongside Emy Hussein, are the visionary architects behind Cairo's premier design firm, Alchemy Architecture. Together, they have spent years shaping the architectural landscape in Egypt, setting new standards of quality, style and craftsmanship.  On our previous episode, we talked about how they joined forces to create a partnership that spans two decades. This episode is brought to you by EFG Hermes One, your one app for investing in more than 35 stock markets. Start investing today! (00:00) - Coming up (03:43) - Local aesthetics, global influence (14:57) - Building the Alchemy ecosystem (18:00) - Tamara Haus Music ID: 5ROQ12DERYHSUUVQ

This week, I’m sitting down with Karim Mekhtigian and Mohamed Fares, two of the visionary architects behind Cairo’s premier design firm, Alchemy alongside Emy Hussein. Together, they have spent years shaping the architectural landscape in Egypt, setting new standards of quality, style and craftsmanship. In the first of two episodes, we talk about how they each came to architecture and design, and then joined forces to create a partnership that spans two decades. On part two next week, Karim & Fares tell me about their design philosophy, and how they built a brand that became a movement. Our conversation took place at Tamara Haus, a new destination by Alchemy Experience, in the heart of Downtown Cairo. This episode is brought to you by EFG Hermes One, your one app for investing in more than 35 stock markets. Start investing today! (00:00) - On this episode (01:41) - Karim’s cosmopolitan childhood (03:46) - Fares’ sporting upbringing (12:01) - Meeting of minds (17:14) - Drawing by hand vs AI (22:34) - Building Alchemy (27:38) - Lightning Round Music ID: 5ROQ12DERYHSUUVQ

Ramy Adeeb, founder & managing partner of 1984 Ventures, is back for an Encore episode to talk about what he’s been upto since 2023. He talks about why he’s excited about AI in legacy sectors but worried about unemployment. He also takes on our signature lightning round. This episode is part of Encore, where I check-in with some of your favourite WIDN alumni. We’ll continue this segment with more of the show’s alumni, so stay tuned. (00:00) - Coming up... (08:10) - Who captures value? (15:47) - AI, wars and regulation (27:15) - Guiding the Next Generation (30:26) - Small companies taking on Big Tech (34:38) - Ramy's mentor (40:49) - Lightning Round

We’re continuing my conversation with Dina H. Sherif, talking about the shift from aid to agency, AI and regulation, and entrepreneurship as a national competitiveness strategy. Dina has served as the Executive Director of the MIT Kuo Sharper Center for Prosperity and Entrepreneurship since 2019. You can catch the first part of our conversation in your podcast app or on our website. I’ll be back next week with an Encore episode with founder of 1984 Ventures, Ramy Adeeb on everything he’s been up to since 2023. This episode is brought to you by: EFG Hermes One: your one app for investing in more than 35 stock markets. Start investing today!Azza Fahmy JewelleryOn the episode, Malak is wearing Azza Fahmy’s Lotus Choker, Lotus Bouquet Cuff, Love Tribal Ring and the Lotus Bouquet Earrings. Dina is wearing Nizar Qabbani Necklace, Bouquet of Blessings Earrings and the Filigree Kaf Ring. (00:00) - Coming up (01:16) - From aid to agency (11:17) - The importance of entrepreneurship (14:35) - The sovereignty question of AI (23:08) - The Case for Regional Unity Music ID: 5ROQ12DERYHSUUVQ

I’m joined by Dina H. Sherif about entrepreneurship and ecosystem building in growth markets. Dina has served as the Executive Director of the MIT Kuo Sharper Center for Prosperity and Entrepreneurship since 2019. She also talks about her own entrepreneurship journey with Ahead of the Curve, and her personal experiences with loss. We’ll continue the conversation in Part 2 about the shift from aid to agency, AI and entrepreneurship as a national competitiveness strategy. This episode is brought to you by: EFG Hermes One: your one app for investing in more than 35 stock markets. Start investing today!Azza Fahmy JewelleryOn the episode, Malak is wearing Azza Fahmy’s Lotus Choker, Lotus Bouquet Cuff, Love Tribal Ring and the Lotus Bouquet Earrings. Dina is wearing Nizar Qabbani Necklace, Bouquet of Blessings Earringsand the Filigree Kaf Ring. (00:00) - Coming up (10:03) - Focus on growth markets (12:32) - Egypt’s entrepreneurial future (16:07) - Dina’s entrepreneurial journey (23:25) - Adult Bullying at Harvard (26:48) - Dealing with loss & illness (34:22) - The Lightning Round Music ID: 5ROQ12DERYHSUUVQ

I recently moderated a panel about how AI is being applied across different sectors like media and finance, how investors are looking at AI companies and the role of telecom in enabling AI adoption. My panelists was made up of a number of the show's alumni including Ahmed Alfi (Chairman, Sawari Ventures), Amy Mowafi (Co-founder & CEO, MO4 Network), Mounir Neamatalla (Founder & CEO, MNT Halan) and Karima El-Hakim (Partner for Africa, Plug and Play Tech Center), and Head of Cloud Software and Services for Ericsson North Middle East, Amer Sakkijha. This panel was part of our partnership with The Shift by e&, powered by The Narrative Summit. The event was a prelude to the annual Narrative Summit's gathering in Soma Bay in October.     Chapters:0:06 Summit AI Introduction 3:30 Ahmed Alfi on investment criteria  7:40 Mounir Neamatalla Fintech meets AI 12:58 Amy Mowafi on creativity in the age of AI 22:55 Amer Sakkijha on the role of telecom in AI adoption 27:00 Karim El-Hakim on private sector success Music ID: 5ROQ12DERYHSUUVQ

Today I’m bringing you a special episode with our sponsor EFG Holding. I recently interviewed Karim Moussa, Co-CEO of EFG Hermes Buy-Side, Head of Private Equity & Asset Management & CEO of Vortex Energy. Karim tells me how he got started in private equity, and how the thesis of investing with purpose led EFG to expand renewables, education and healthcare. This episode is brought to you by EFG Hermes One, your one app for investing in more than 35 stock markets. Start investing today! I’ll be back with a new guest in a couple of weeks. But before that, we’ll be airing the panel discussion on how AI will continue to impact Egypt and the region that I moderated in May. The panel was part of The Shift by e&, organised by the fantastic team at The Narrative Summit.Chapters:0:00 On this episode... 2:12 Hustling in Berlin 6:48 First Steps in Deutsche Bank 9:23 A detour to Dubai 11:29 Moving into Private Equity 17:46 Building Vortex Energy 24:01 Egypt’s renewables potential 26:56 Investing in education 35:00 Lightning Round Music ID: 5ROQ12DERYHSUUVQ

On the second part of my conversation with Youssef Salem, we’re talking about AI, energy security and the future of the region. Youssef also tells me why the younger generation needs to prepare for greater competition in the AI age and how he's working to inspire them. Youssef Salem is the CFO of ADNOC Drilling. ADNOC is the UAE’s primary oil company and 12th largest in the world in terms of production. You can also watch the first part of our conversation where we talk about his personal and professional pivots in your podcast app or our website. This episode is brought to you by EFG Hermes One, your one app for investing in more than 35 stock markets. Start investing today! (00:00) - Coming up... (05:06) - War and energy security (09:30) - Crisis management (12:27) - Building impact (14:16) - Can we integrate the Middle East (15:43) - Podcasting on faith and finance Music ID: 5ROQ12DERYHSUUVQ

I‘m delighted to be joined by Youssef Salem, CFO for ADNOC Drilling. ADNOC is the UAE’s primary oil company and 12th largest in the world in terms of production. I’ve followed Youssef for quite some time now and in addition to his many professional accomplishments, he’s a wonderful role model for the younger generation entering the corporate world. On this first of two episodes, we talk about his personal and professional pivots that brought him to where he is today, and the impact of the recent war on the UAE in particular.  We’ll continue the conversation next week on Part 2, where we talk about the oil & gas sector specifically, and how companies like ADNOC handle crisis management in times like these. This episode is brought to you by EFG Hermes One, your one app for investing in more than 35 stock markets. Start investing today! (00:00) - Coming up (09:00) - Unity and resilience (14:51) - Getting married at twenty (19:15) - From finance to the startup world (21:30) - The importance of saying ‘yes’ (24:58) - No more FOMO (30:25) - The Lightning Round Music ID: 5ROQ12DERYHSUUVQ