Author: Thea Zayek

For internationally acclaimed soprano Fatma Said, music is inseparable from identity, history, and cultural memory. Deeply influenced by Egypt’s golden artistic era, Said believes Egyptian music, cinema, poetry, and storytelling continue to shape her artistic expression, even while performing classical European opera on the world’s biggest stages. In this exclusive interview, she reflects on Egypt’s rich musical legacy, the influence of legendary artists such as and, the evolution of contemporary Egyptian music, and the role culture and education play in shaping artistic identity. Egypt’s Cultural Influence on Her Artistic Journey For Said, Egyptian culture was never simply an influence; it…

Compliance is no longer simply a regulatory obligation. It has become a strategic business enabler, according to Dr. Ranjana Gujadhur, Chief Compliance Officer of Credentia International, who believes the future of financial services lies in balancing robust regulation with innovation, digitalization, and tailored risk-based solutions. In this exclusive interview, Gujadhur discusses the evolution of compliance, Mauritius’ role as a reputable international financial center, the rise of AI-driven compliance systems, and the growing importance of customized regulatory frameworks in an increasingly digital global economy. Rethinking the Role of Compliance For Gujadhur, one of the biggest shifts taking place within financial services…

Mauritius is entering a new phase of economic transformation built around resilience, strategic reform, and long-term planning, according to Hon. Jyoti Jeetun, the Minister of Financial Services & Economic Planning, who believes the country is positioning itself to evolve from a middle-income economy into a high-income nation by 2050. In this exclusive interview, Minister Jeetun discusses Mauritius’ economic outlook, the growing importance of financial services, regulatory reform, FinTech innovation, sustainable finance, and the government’s long-term strategy for inclusive national development. Economic Resilience in a Challenging Global Environment Despite significant domestic and international pressures, Jeetun says Mauritius continues to demonstrate economic…

Mauritius has established itself as one of the world’s most trusted gateways for cross-border investment into emerging markets. Faraz Rojid, CEO of Mauritius Finance (MF), believes the island’s success has been driven not only by strong economic fundamentals but also by decades of forward-looking policymaking, legal certainty, and investor-focused reforms. In this exclusive interview, Rojid outlines how Mauritius transformed itself into a globally respected international financial center through legal modernization, institutional stability, and a strong commitment to international best practices. Building the Foundations of a Financial Centre For Rojid, the origins of Mauritius’ success date back to the 1990s, when…

Mauritius continues to strengthen its role as a trusted international financial center connecting Africa, Asia, and global markets, according to Hajrah Sakauloo, CEO of HSBC Bank Mauritius, who believes the island’s stability, openness, and evolving financial ecosystem position it for long-term growth. In this exclusive interview, Sakauloo discusses the importance of global connectivity, digital transformation, cross-border banking, and Mauritius’ growing relevance as a gateway for international investment into Africa and emerging markets. HSBC’s Global Network and Competitive Strength For Sakauloo, HSBC’s greatest advantage lies in its international connectivity and longstanding experience facilitating financial flows across global markets. “Global connectivity is…

Mauritius stands at the intersection of innovation, finance, and African growth, according to Bilal Adam, CEO of Stewart’s Investment Capital and President of the South African Chamber of Commerce in Mauritius. In this exclusive interview, Adam describes the island nation as one of Africa’s most compelling business destinations, a country combining political predictability, safety, financial sophistication, and emerging technological ambition. Stability, Safety and Predictability For Adam, Mauritius’ appeal begins with stability. Having first arrived from South Africa in 2007 for what was meant to be a short six-month stay, he instead built a life and career on the island over…

From the expanding skyline of Cairo to the shores of the Red Sea and the Mediterranean coast, Egypt is entering a new phase of transformation driven by infrastructure, investment, sustainability, and innovation. With a population of approximately 115 million and one of the largest economies in the MENA region and Africa, the country continues positioning itself as a strategic gateway connecting Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Today, Egypt investment and infrastructure growth is reshaping industries ranging from real estate and tourism to energy, logistics, technology, and manufacturing. “We have the ecosystem that works. We have the location, the…

As Africa accelerates its economic transformation, Mauritius is positioning itself as one of the continent’s most resilient and internationally connected economies. Supported by political stability, strategic reforms, and a business-friendly environment, the island nation continues expanding its influence across finance, technology, tourism, healthcare, and sustainability. With an ambitious goal of becoming a high-income economy by 2030, Mauritius is increasingly attracting investors, entrepreneurs, and global businesses looking for stability and access to African and international markets. “Mauritius is open for business for domestic investors and international investors. We have always been a very business-friendly investing environment,” says Hon. Jyoti Jeetun, Minister…

Located in central Accra, Accra City Hotel is a four-star hotel acting as a key gateway for business, tourism, and entertainment in Ghana’s capital. From arrival, guests are welcomed with a focus on warm, efficient hospitality, reflecting the hotel’s service-driven approach to guest experience. Guest Experience and Facilities The hotel offers modern, well-equipped rooms alongside leisure amenities including a pool area and social dining spaces designed for relaxation and comfort. “We realize that customer service is key. Customers always want new experiences, so as the business is developing, we have to look at other areas to make our guests more…

Established in 1975, El Seif Engineering Contracting has grown into one of the Middle East’s leading engineering and construction firms. Over the decades, the company has played a major role in shaping the skylines of Saudi Arabia and the region through large-scale infrastructure and urban development projects. Today, El Seif continues to support the delivery of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 by deploying more than 20,000 people across its project sites while maintaining a strong focus on innovation, sustainability, and community impact. Supporting Vision 2030 Through Landmark Projects El Seif is currently is contributing to several of Saudi Arabia’s most ambitious…