In this interview, Daniel Sansano, the youngest investment banker in the MENA region discussed the crucial role investment banks play in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) by driving economic growth through capital raising, infrastructure financing and mergers and acquisitions. Sansano emphasized the importance of supporting SMEs, promoting economic diversification and embracing digital transformation. He highlights investment opportunities in fintech, digital healthcare and cyber security. Lastly, Sansano motivates aspiring professionals to pursue their goals with determination and grit.
Daniel Sansano’s Journey
We started the interview by asking, “Explain your background.”
Daniel Sansano replied, “I am Daniel Sansano the youngest investment banker in the MENA region. My first career was at Bank of America, I served as an investment banking analyst where I was responsible for assisting in mergers and acquisitions to high-end companies. I am also experienced at drafting financial models and investment proposals. After my contract at Bank of America, I then worked at JP Mogan Chase & Co. where I became the first Asian from a developing nation that became an investment banking analyst.
I am a Project Management Professional (PMP), a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) and a Certified Strategy and Competitive Analyst (CSCA). I also took online courses from Ivy League universities across the United States and some universities in Europe. I am currently taking the “CLIMB” program from Harvard Business School Executive Education to improve my leadership skills in business and finance. Recently, I also obtained my Series 79 license.”
Building Trust and Confidence
The Arabia Times: How do investment banks play a crucial role in driving economic growth and development in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region?
Daniel Sansano replied, “The investment banks play a crucial role in driving economic growth in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) through capital raising, financing of infrastructure projects and promoting the mergers and acquisitions process. They help companies to grow and innovate by facilitating access to funds via equity and debt markets as well as providing advice on strategic M&A deals that strengthen corporations and support the economic diversification stream. This includes financing large-scale infrastructure projects and encouraging public-private partnerships to create the critical infrastructures needed to sustain the growth in the region.
Additionally, investment banking helps diversify the economy, for example, providing advisory services to the non-oil sectors on investments and offering Shariah-compliant financial products that attract local as well as international investments. In working with sovereign funds and governments, they can provide strategic advisory services meant to enhance the management of assets and the approaches towards strategic global investment. From financial innovation to job opportunities, investments banks help create dynamic financial flows while positioning the GCC for long-term economic resilience and development.“
Risk Management
The Arabia Times: What advisory services do investment banks provide GCC governments, corporations, and individuals?
Daniel Sansano replied, “Investment banks provide a wide range of advisory services to governments, corporations and individuals in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). For governments, they offer crucial guidance on privatization strategies, managing sovereign wealth funds and debt issuance through bonds or sukuk. They also play an essential role in helping governments with economic diversification efforts, advising on investments in non-oil sectors such as technology, healthcare and infrastructure development which is crucial to reducing reliance on oil revenues. For corporations, investment banks provide expertise in mergers and acquisitions (M&A), capital raising and strategic business planning. They help companies’ access equity and debt markets, structure deals and manage risks while also offering advice on corporate restructuring and long-term growth strategies. High-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) benefit from tailored services such as wealth management, estate planning and impact investing to ensure their assets are managed efficiently and aligned with their financial goals. These services are keys in driving economic growth and ensuring the financial success of both public and private sector entities in the region.“
Driving Economic Growth
The Arabia Times: What role does investment banking play in supporting the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the GCC, and how can this sector further contribute to economic diversification?
Daniel Sansano replied, “Investment banking is one of the most crucial sectors in helping the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the GCC region by providing access to capital, strategic advisory, and M&A facilitation. Investment banks help SMEs in the process of structuring available financing solutions and educating venture capital, private equity and debt financing alternatives. Investment banks offer capital-raising avenues to SMEs by either getting listed on the public markets or private placements of expansion, innovation and market entry. They also offer advisory services to SMEs and implement long-term growth strategies while improving operational efficiency.
The encouragement of the SME sector is driven by investment banking to promote economic diversification in the GCC. The SMEs are necessary for the development of various sectors, including technology, retail, manufacturing and other services.
Digital Transformation
The Arabia Times: How has the recent focus on digital transformation and fintech in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) impacted investment banking services in the region?
Daniel Sansano replied, “The digital transformation and fintech in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has significantly reshaped investment banking by making services more efficient, accessible, and innovative. Technologies like blockchain, artificial intelligence (AI), and big data analytics are helping investment banks streamline operations, reduce costs, and offer more personalized services. For example, the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) has embraced blockchain for secure and transparent digital securities trading, allowing investment banks to offer faster, more secure settlement of trades and new products like tokenized assets. AI and big data also play a crucial role in delivering data-driven advisory services, providing clients with real-time market insights and customized financial strategies.
Additionally, fintech collaborations are becoming common, with banks partnering with startups to develop digital platforms that improve client access to investment products. For instance, the Saudi Investment Bank has worked with fintech firms to streamline SME and individual client onboarding, improving accessibility to capital-raising options. Digital platforms for capital raising, such as those introduced in the UAE are helping SMEs raise funds through equity crowdfunding or debt financing, supporting both business growth and economic diversification. The digital advancements are not only enhancing investment banking services but also aligning with the GCC’s broader goals of fostering innovation and economic resilience.“
The Allure of a Growing Market
The Arabia Times: What factors make the Gulf region an attractive destination for international investors, particularly considering the economic diversification initiatives like Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030?
Daniel Sansano replied, “International investors mainly see the region because of new dimensions of economic diversification in place through projects such as Saudi’s Vision 2030, which is about gradually pulling out from oil dependence to concentrate on sectors like tech, tourism, health services, and renewable energy. For example, Saudi’s NEOM project $500 billion futuristic smart city continues to attract global investment interest, across infrastructure, renewable energy and artificial intelligence. It also includes tourism expansion plans such as the Red Sea Development and other ventures which present sizeable investment opportunities in hospitality, real estate and entertainment.
A strategic location at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa also enhances the attractiveness of the Gulf region to investors. The UAE has become a leading global center for trade and finance, exemplified by the Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA). JAFZA serves as a primary gateway to emerging markets in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia. In addition to its geographical advantage, the region has undertaken major regulatory reforms to attract foreign investment. For instance, laws that permit 100% foreign ownership have been introduced by Saudi Arabia, smoothed out the business environment, and free zones have been created in the UAE and other GCC countries with a variety of tax incentives and easy procedures for international companies.
Other sovereign wealth funds across the region, for instance Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF) and Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), also top the list in driving domestic and international investments. The Gulf region’s investment advantage is further bolstered with super colossal infrastructural projects and an increasing emphasis on renewable energy. Qatar’s World Cup-related infrastructure and Dubai’s Expo 2020 has already attracted international investment in the real estate, construction and hospitality sectors, while renewable energy opportunities appear through projects such as the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park.“
Catalysts for Global Investment
The Arabia Times: How do the sovereign wealth funds of GCC countries, such as the UAE’s Mubadala or Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, contribute to the region’s appeal as a global investment hub?
Daniel Sansano replied, “Sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) such as the UAE’s Mubadala Investment Company, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and Qatar’s investments in its stock exchange play a critical role in positioning the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) as a leading global investment hub. These funds are essential for managing and diversifying the region’s wealth by investing in various non-oil sectors. In Saudi Arabia, PIF’s role in Vision 2030 is a key example as it has made major investments in technology, tourism and infrastructure. Similarly, Qatar has actively worked on enhancing the Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE), positioning it as a modern and a competitive platform that attracts international investors that will strengthen the country’s capital markets.
Globally, GCC sovereign wealth funds are expanding their influence through strategic investments and partnerships, further bolstering the region’s appeal. PIF’s investments in companies like Uber, Lucid Motors and Blackstone show Saudi Arabia’s intent to be a leader in sectors like technology and finance. Mubadala’s partnerships in Virgin Galactic and SoftBank’s Vision Fund showcase the UAE’s growing role in the global technology space. At the same time, Qatar has made significant strides in modernizing its stock exchange that attracts international listings to enhance liquidity in the market. The mentioned global investments not only provide financial returns but also elevate the GCC’s profile on the world stage and fostering deeper economic ties with multinational corporations.
In addition to boosting global partnerships, SWFs and platforms like the Qatar Stock Exchange are critical in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) to the Gulf region. Saudi’s PIF funded the development of major projects such as The Red Sea Project and Neom in Saudi Arabia while UAE’s efforts in renewable energy initiatives like Masdar City in Abu Dhabi have opened new avenues for international investment. Qatar has also positioned its stock exchange as a key gateway for foreign investors seeking access to the region’s dynamic markets particularly as the QSE becomes increasingly aligned with global standards. Together, the sovereign wealth funds and financial platforms are playing a transformative role in making the GCC a more diverse, resilient and attractive destination for global investors.“
Digital Transformation in the GCC
The Arabia Times: How is the GCC region embracing digital technologies, and what are the investment opportunities in the digital economy?
Daniel Sansano replied, “The GCC region is swiftly adopting digital technologies as part of its broader economic diversification and innovation strategy. Countries like Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar are investing heavily in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, cloud computing and smart city initiatives. Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, for example, includes projects like NEOM, a high-tech mega city powered by AI and renewable energy. Furthermore, Dubai is establishing itself as a global hub for blockchain and digital finance through its Dubai Blockchain Strategy. These efforts are laying the groundwork for a robust digital economy attracting international tech companies, startups and investors to the region.
Investment opportunities in the GCC’s digital economy are vast, especially in sectors like fintech, e-commerce, digital healthcare and cybersecurity. The fintech industry is booming with startups focusing on digital payments, blockchain and innovative financial solutions supported by a tech-savvy population and government initiatives. E-commerce is rapidly growing due to increased internet usage and the shift toward online shopping. Digital healthcare is gaining traction with telemedicine and AI-driven diagnostic solutions receiving significant attention. In addition, digital infrastructure expands by introducing cloud computing and cybersecurity is becoming a critical area for investment, offering opportunities to secure the region’s digital assets. These developments are shaping the GCC into a dynamic landscape for investors interested in the region’s fast-growing digital economy.“
The Secret Sauce
Lastly, we asked, “Since your first media appearance have been dubbed as “MENA’s Finance Bright Star” as well as “MENA’s youngest Investment Banker”, with your growing fans on LinkedIn and Instagram. What message can you share with your followers who aspire to be like you?”
“To all my followers who dream of making it big in finance or any field, remember this: stay sharp, keep grinding, and tackle every challenge head-on. Just like in anime, where every battle brings the hero closer to their goal, your journey will have ups and downs, but perseverance and determination will power you through and believe in yourself. Remember what Naruto said” Hard work is worthless to those who don’t believe in themselves. Believe it”—embrace that mindset, because stepping out of your comfort zone is where you’ll find real growth.
Believe in your potential and surround yourself with people who can push you to be the best. You need to keep striving to level up every day. Like every great protagonist, keep your eyes on the prize and never back down no matter how tough it gets. Remember this Japanese phrase “Shinzo wo sasageyo” which means dedicate your heart or persevere. With passion, grit and a “never give up” attitude, you’ll not only achieve your goals but also inspire others along the way. Your success story is waiting to be written, so go all out—plus ultra-style!” Daniel Sansano Concluded
Connect with Daniel Sansano on LinkedIn and Instagram
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