In this episode we explore how policy, technology, and public‑private partnerships are reshaping financial inclusion as we move deeper into 2026. Host Dan Baxter, Vice President of Corporate Communications for Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East & Africa (CEMEA), sits down with Joanne Kubba, Visa’s SVP & Head of Government Affairs for CEMEA, to unpack the frameworks, regulatory models, and emerging technologies accelerating inclusive economic growth.

Together, they dive into how financial inclusion has shifted from a philanthropic aspiration to a cornerstone of global economic stability — and what it takes to scale it responsibly. Joanne breaks down the critical role of harmonized regulation, modern infrastructure, and cross‑sector collaboration in unlocking equitable access to financial services across diverse markets.

You’ll hear how Visa is:
• Enabling digital transformation through public‑private partnerships
• Modernizing cross‑border money movement through Visa Direct and regulated, payment‑grade stablecoin settlement
• Powering AI‑enabled opportunities for MSMEs through Visa Intelligent Commerce and the Trusted Agent Protocol
• Supporting government adoption of modern payment technologies while balancing innovation, interoperability, and consumer protection
• Strengthening ecosystem resilience with tokenization, digital identity, and global policy collaboration

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For more podcasts by Visa, visit: https://km.visamiddleeast.com/en_KM/about-visa/cemea-podcast.html#1