Rob Downes

Head of Digital Assets, CIB Africa, Absa Group

Rob Downes has 25 years’ experience in Financial Services in Europe and Africa, leading large scale transformation programmes in Retail, Bancassurance and Corporate Banking. Rob currently leads Digital Assets for Absa CIB to create products and services that leverage blockchain technology and is a regular contributor to industry discussions on how Digital Assets are shaping the future of financial services.

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Forum Stage

Forum Stage (Ground Floor)

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Mon, 15 Sep | 8:55 AM - 9:05 AM

Welcome to the Global SME Finance Forum 2025

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Cláudia ConceiçãoRegional Director for Southern Africa, International Finance Corporation

Sharanjit LeylChancellor, Bath Spa University

Forum Stage

Forum Stage (Ground Floor)

Open

Mon, 15 Sep | 9:05 AM - 9:20 AM

Official Inauguration of the Global SME Finance Forum

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Ashor SarupenDeputy Minister of Finance, South Africa

Aliou MaïgaRegional Industry Director, Financial Institutions Group, Africa, International Finance Corporation

Cláudia ConceiçãoRegional Director for Southern Africa, International Finance Corporation

Ethiopis TafaraRegional Vice President, Africa, International Finance Corporation

Jane SitholeDeputy Minister of Small Business Development, Republic of South Africa

Ravi MenonChairman of the Board of Directors, Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN); Ambassador (Climate Action), Singapore & Former Managing Director, Monetary Authority of Singapore, Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN)