Natixis celebrates 20 years in Dubai International Financial Centre, underscoring deep commitment to the Middle East

Natixis is pleased to commemorate its 20th anniversary in Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), in the presence of His Excellency (H.E.) Arif Amiri, Chief Executive Officer, DIFC Authority, Mr. Jean-Christophe Paris, Consul General of France in Dubai, Nicolas Namias, CEO of BPCE and Bruno Le Saint, CEO, Asia Pacific & Middle East, Natixis Corporate & Investment Banking, Adel Afiouni, Senior Country Manager, Group Regional Head Middle East, Turkey & Central Asia, Natixis Corporate & Investment Banking, and Wassim Nasrallah, Head of Middle East, Africa, and Central Asia, Natixis Investment Managers.

The Middle East is a key strategic region for Natixis and its parent company Groupe BPCE, characterized by its dynamic market evolution and substantial investment potential. Reaching the significant milestone of 20 years of presence in Dubai affirms the Group’s strong commitment to continue growing its presence and capabilities within the Middle East, Turkey & Central Asia region through its international business lines Natixis Corporate & Investment Banking (Natixis CIB) and Natixis Investment Managers (Natixis IM).

Since 2006, Natixis has operated corporate, investment banking, and asset management activities out of DIFC, the leading global financial center in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region, regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA). Over the past two decades, DIFC has provided a platform for Natixis to expand its regional capabilities, deepen relationships with institutional and corporate clients, and capture growing trade and investment flows across international markets.

From DIFC, Natixis serves its corporate and institutional clients in the region, leveraging its world-class regulatory environment and dynamic ecosystem. It directs its specialized financial solutions toward supporting sustainable economic growth and Islamic finance in the region, capturing trade and investment flows shifting across these high-growth international corridors.

Salmaan Jaffery, Chief Business Development Officer at DIFC Authority, said: “Natixis has been part of DIFC’s growth story since its early years,and we are proud of the longstanding relationship we have built together. We congratulate the Natixis team on this significant milestone and look forward to its continued success.”

Natixis CIB's areas of expertise are closely aligned with the development and diversification ambitions of the economies of the Middle East, including in sectors like energy, infrastructure, telecom and tech, food and agriculture, and metals and mining. It is therefore a land of opportunity for product lines across Global Markets, Global Trade, Investment Banking and Real Assets, where Natixis CIB is supporting sovereign wealth funds, banks, financial sponsors and corporates.

In 2026, Natixis CIB adapted its organization to integrate Asia Pacific and the Middle East in a unified platform, driven by the expanding corridor of investment, trade and capital markets between the two regions. The move accelerates the bank’s Middle East development, seizes synergies with Asia’s growing ties to the region, and better serves the sophisticated needs of its clients.

Adel Afiouni, Senior Country Manager, Group Regional Head Middle East, Turkey & Central Asia, Natixis CIB said: “As we celebrate our 20th anniversary in Dubai, our focus is on building a robust regional franchise that deepens our client relationships by delivering tailor-made product offerings in alignment with the economic development of the Middle East."

Natixis IM is a multi-affiliate organization made up of over 15 independent investment firms, serving a wide range of clients around the world, from the largest institutions and sovereign wealth funds to the smallest individual accounts. What defines Natixis IM as a firm is active management. In the Middle East, Africa, and Central Asia (MEACA) the firm is focused on delivering its capabilities and solutions to regional capital pools and partnering with those entities to help the region deliver on its strategic growth ambitions.

Wassim Nasrallah, Head of Middle East, Africa, and Central Asia, Natixis IM added: “The MEACA region remains a critical growth driver for our firm. Through active solutions from our leading affiliate managers, our team continues to address the unique needs of institutional investors and asset owners. As we mark this important milestone, we look forward to driving further success in the years to come.”