S2E01 - Akshay Chopra, Head of Innovation & Product Design @ Visa CEMEA

This week, we are delighted to welcome Akshay Chopra, Head of Innovation & Product Design at Visa, CEMEA. Based in Dubai, Akshay covers the CEMEA Region, which comprises over 90 distinct markets in Central Europe, Middle East & Africa. Akshay joins us to share his unique and fascinating insights of payments and innovation across these regions, with a focus on the Middle East.

Please find below the episode summary:

• 1:16 - Welcome & how have you been?
• 3:36 - Akshay’s role at Visa
• 9:10 - Design thinking principles & innovation labs
• 13:30 - Initial Impressions of the Middle East
• 17:33 - Exciting advances in the Middle East
• 22:56 - Russia, Central Europe & Africa - leaders in innovation
• 21:43 - Visa Innovation Department
• 32:28 - Fintech in the Middle East
• 36:03 - What we can look forward to?
• 40.48 - Quickfire question round