The GFDI Podcast

CEOs, ministers, and business leaders

Featured interviews

Tomasz Bardziłowski CEO, Warsaw Stock Exchange

In this episode, Tomasz Bardziłowski, Chief Executive Officer of the Warsaw Stock Exchange, discusses the exchange’s role in strengthening Poland’s capital markets, supporting business growth, attracting international investment and advancing the country’s position as a leading financial hub in Central and Eastern Europe.

Dariusz Mazurkiewicz, CEO, Blik

In this episode, Dariusz Mazurkiewicz, Chief Executive Officer of BLIK, discusses the evolution of Poland’s digital payments ecosystem, the company’s growth strategy, innovation in financial technology, international expansion and the opportunities shaping the future of cashless payments.

Wojciech Balczun, Minister of State Assets, Poland

In this episode, H.E. Wojciech Balczun, Minister of State Assets of the Republic of Poland, discusses the government’s vision for strengthening state-owned enterprises, attracting foreign direct investment, advancing strategic industries and reinforcing Poland’s position as one of Europe’s most dynamic investment destinations.

Ewald Raben, founder, Raben Group

In this episode, Ewald Raben, Chief Executive Officer of Raben Group, discusses the company’s growth strategy, Poland’s evolving logistics sector, investment opportunities, digital transformation, sustainability initiatives and the country’s role as a leading European logistics hub.

Sakif Shamim, Managing Director, Labaid Cancer Hospital

In this episode, the Managing Director of Labaid Cancer Hospital, Sakif Shamim, outlines how scale, accreditation, artificial intelligence and new capital growth plans are shaping the hospital’s trajectory.

Moshiur Rahman, Managing Director, Paragon Group

In this interview, Managing Director Moshiur Rahman discusses Paragon Group’s investment strategy, export expansion, their renewable energy pipeline and joint venture opportunities, particularly with the UAE.

Roman Lineytsev, Founder, Grand Games

In this exclusive interview, Roman Lineytsev, Founder of Grand Games, discusses the platform’s revenue and scaling trajectory, the launch of a second title to reach new user segments, and the strategic role of investors and partners.

Almas Abaideldinov, CEO, Eastcomtrans

In this interview, Almas Abaideldinov, General Manager and CEO of Eastcomtrans, discusses Kazakhstan’s evolving logistics infrastructure, private sector execution in railway transport and the country’s positioning as a transit and production hub.

Aray Bekembayev, Country Manager, inDrive

Here, Country Manager Aray Bekembayev outlines how inDrive has grown, and why Kazakhstan sits at the centre of its operating model

Aselle Tasmagambetova, Founder, CAIER

In this interview, Founder of CAIER, Aselle Tasmagambetova, outlines the commercialisation of environmental technologies, the rise of ESG capital allocation and large-scale regional water infrastructure planning.

Abdallah Sallam, President and ceo, Madinet Masr

In this episode, President and CEO Abdallah Sallam outlines how a sixty-seven-year-old legacy developer was repositioned into a high-growth platform and the longer-term ambition to become a Global Five Hundred company.

Eng. Amr El Batrik, CEO, Orascom IP

In this episode, Amr El Batrik, CEO of Orascom Industrial Parks (Orascom IP), examines the group’s industrial pipeline, export-oriented zones, regulatory facilitation frameworks and the role of green hydrogen and eco-industrial standards in reshaping Egypt’s competitiveness for international capital.

Dr Hassan El Kalla, Founder and Chairman, CIRA Education

In this episode, Dr Hassan El Kalla explains how education and healthcare sit at the center of CIRA’s capital allocation and how Gulf partnerships are accelerating regional expansion.

Mohamed Aly, CEO and managing director, ADIB-Egypt

In this interview, Mohamed Aly discusses the development of Egypt’s sovereign Sukuk market, ADIB’s rapid financial growth, the bank’s role in channeling UAE capital into the country and its major investments in digital infrastructure.

Mohamed Amer, CEO, El Gouna, Red Sea

This episode examines El Gouna’s mixed-use development model, its investor proposition anchored in currency risk mitigation, the role of UAE capital flows and how infrastructure expansion in business parks, marinas and branded residences supports long-term asset value accretion.

Eng. Mohamed Mahlab, CEO, Rowad Modern Engineering

Here, the CEO of Rowad Modern Engineering outlines how the company’s long-standing relationships with Emirati clients paved the way for its UAE market entry and explains how the company is positioning itself within national infrastructure and energy pipelines through partnerships with global engineering groups.

Philip Tieku, Chief Executive Officer, Star Oil

In this episode, Philip Tieku, CEO of Star Oil, examines how operational discipline, digital infrastructure and downstream integration are reshaping capital deployment and partnership opportunities in Ghana’s fuel retail market.

Kwaku Osei Sarpong, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Cipa Holdings

In this interview, Kwaku Osei Sarpong explores the founding purpose of CIPA Holdings, the company’s pan-African expansion, evolving climate finance models and the growing opportunities for Gulf investors.

Ramesh Sadhwani, Managing Director, Melcom

In this interview, Ramesh Sadwani discusses how he has led the group as managing director since 1997, overseeing its expansion from a small family business into a nationwide retail and industrial platform.

Raymond Adiepena, Founder and Group CEO, The Seabird GROUP Limited

In this interview, Raymond Adiepena outlines the company’s regional expansion strategy and listing ambitions, and explains why Ghana’s stability and legal framework are increasingly central to investors looking for scalable African platforms.

Zia Ijaz, President and CEO, Askari Bank

In this interview, President and CEO of Askari Bank, Zia Ijaz, explores how institutional reform, balance sheet strength, and regulatory alignment are positioning the bank as a platform for long-term investment connectivity between Pakistan and the UAE.

Karim Teli, CEO, IGLOO Pakistan

IGLOO Pakistan CEO, Karim Teli, describes how the company has transformed beyond its original identity, evolving from a local love brand into an integrated food and FMCG platform.

Ahsan M. Saleem, CEO and Managing Director, Crescent Steel and Allied Products Limited

Ahsan M. Saleem, CEO and Managing Director of Crescent Steel, discusses how the company competes on global standards, and why Pakistan’s investment case is shaped by a rare mix of market size and outsized returns.

Anwar Moin, CEO, Biafo Industries

In this exclusive interview, CEO of Biafo Industries Anwar Moin explains the company’s role in Pakistan’s energy and infrastructure economy, its growing relevance to the mining sector and how regulatory reform and Gulf partnerships are shaping investor opportunity.

Mohammed Zaki Bashir, CEO, Gul Ahmed Textile Mills Limited

In this interview with Mohammed Zaki Bashir, the CEO of Gul Ahmed Textile Mills Limited discusses the company’s market leadership, international expansion and its central role in driving long-term competitiveness in Pakistan.

Bastien Blanc, CEO, Hospitality Division Hashoo Group

In this interview, CEO Bastien Blanc discusses how the group is pushing asset-light expansion, global partnerships and new markets across the GCC.

Ahmed Hayat Lak, Managing Director and CEO, OGDC

In this interview with Ahmed Hayat Lak, Managing Director and CEO of Oil & Gas Development Company (OGDC), he outlines OGDC’s leadership role in Pakistan’s energy security, its diversification roadmap and opportunities for global investors.

Mikheil Khidureli, CEO, Enterprise Georgia

Mikheil Khidureli, CEO of Enterprise Georgia, discusses how the institution has grown into the country’s principal agency for investment, export and business development, strengthening Georgia’s position as a competitive destination for foreign investors.

Akaki Saghirashvili, First Deputy Director, Business Association of Georgia

Akaki Saghirashvili, First Deputy Director of Business Association of Georgia (BAG), reveals how the institution continues to strengthen the bridge between enterprise and government, and between Georgia and the wider world.

Avtandil Kasradze, Chairman, GITA

Avtandil Kasradze discusses GITA's role in transforming Georgia's innovation ecosystem, from building the country's first tech parks to connecting startups with global investors, and shaping policies that embed innovation across all sectors of the economy.

Archil Gachechiladze, CEO, Bank of Georgia

Bank of Georgia’s CEO outlines the bank’s evolution over the past 15 years, highlighting its sustained focus on customer experience, market visibility and regional growth.

Besik Bugianishvili, Chairman & CEO, Development Fund of Georgia

In this interview, Besik Bugianishvili talks about how the Development Fund of Georgia has undergone major restructuring, improved governance and expanded cooperation with domestic and international financial partners.

Irakli Nadareishvili, Deputy Minister of Economy & Sustainable Development

Irakli Nadareishvili, Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, discusses how the nation is fostering an innovation-driven economy, empowering SMEs and deepening cooperation with the UAE through new trade and investment frameworks.

Maka Botchorishvili, Minister of Foreign Affairs

Georgia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maka Botchorishvili, explores the country’s strategic objectives, its role in the Middle Corridor and the foundations of its long-term economic resilience.

Irakli Kobakhidze, Prime Minister of Georgia

In this interview, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze discusses Georgia’s economic trajectory, infrastructure projects and growing partnership with the United Arab Emirates.

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