In a region rapidly transforming into a hub of digital innovation, Dr. Abbas Sharif Alaskari stands at the crossroads of financial tradition and technological disruption. As a seasoned academic and trusted advisor to emerging fintech ventures, Dr. Alaskari brings a rare blend of deep institutional knowledge and visionary thinking to the future of Middle Eastern finance.
With more than two decades of experience in trade finance, a PhD focused on regional trade corridors, and ongoing involvement with startups at Abu Dhabi’s Hub71, Dr. Alaskari is helping shape the contours of a smarter, fairer, and more inclusive fintech ecosystem.
A Scholar Meets Startups
As Professor of International Trade Finance at Khalifa University, Dr. Alaskari’s research has long focused on the mechanics of global trade, currency systems, and cross-border payment infrastructure. But his passion lies in application: “Theory means little if it doesn’t translate into practical innovation,” he often says.
This philosophy led him to actively mentor fintech startups tackling some of the region’s most pressing challenges — from inefficient remittance systems to opaque trade documentation and lack of SME financing.
His role at Hub71 allows him to work closely with innovators who are building Sharia-compliant digital banking tools, AI-based fraud detection for trade finance, and blockchain-powered customs documentation systems — technologies that promise to overhaul how trade and finance are conducted in the GCC.
Ethics at the Core of Innovation
Unlike many voices in the tech world, Dr. Alaskari insists that ethics must drive innovation, especially in regions where regulation is still catching up to technology. He advocates for:
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Transparent and compliant digital finance platforms
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Culturally and religiously aligned solutions, especially in Islamic banking
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Inclusive access to fintech for micro and small enterprises, often left behind by traditional finance
“Technology should not be neutral,” he emphasizes. “It should serve justice and progress, not just efficiency.”
Building the Infrastructure of Trust
Beyond startup mentoring, Dr. Alaskari’s insights influence regional policy development. His advisory work includes helping UAE ministries craft frameworks for regtech, sandbox licensing, and digital identity systems — critical elements in building public trust in new financial platforms.
In his book “Currency Currents,” he explored the delicate interplay between risk, reform, and regulation in Islamic trade finance — issues that remain central to the current fintech debate in the Middle East.
A Vision for the Region
Dr. Alaskari envisions a Middle East where fintech not only enhances trade and finance but also empowers underbanked communities, boosts youth entrepreneurship, and strengthens intra-regional cooperation.
He believes the UAE, with its forward-thinking leadership and investment in smart cities, is uniquely positioned to become a global model for ethical fintech development.
“We have the history, the capital, and now the talent,” he says. “What we need is a framework that aligns innovation with impact.”
The Road Ahead
As the Middle East embraces a new era of digital finance, leaders like Dr. Abbas Sharif Alaskari are essential guides. His work bridges the worlds of academia, policy, and entrepreneurship, ensuring that fintech doesn’t just disrupt — it uplifts, includes, and transforms.
With his eyes on the future and feet firmly grounded in principle, Dr. Alaskari is helping ensure that the region’s fintech evolution is not only cutting-edge — but conscious.
