During the Finomics 2025 stock-market simulation competition at Onsi Sawiris School of Business, Business Forward sat down with Olfat Amer, head of Beltone Academy – the academic arm of Beltone Financial Holding – to explore the future of financial education and the strategic value of partnerships with leading business institutions.

Amer brings an extensive background in talent development and financial education. Under her leadership, the Academy built alliances with top universities and financial institutions, positioning itself  as a bridge between corporate and academic excellence in the financial sector.

Here are the main takeaways from our conversation with her:

1. How does Beltone Academy aim to shape the future of financial education? You offer a variety of educational services from executive education to mentoring for certificate examinations, what makes your approach distinctive in the region?

At Beltone Academy, we aim to shape the future of financial education by bridging the gap between academic theory and practical, industry-relevant skills. Our mission is to create a generation of finance professionals who are not only well-versed in global best practices but also equipped to navigate the unique challenges of regional and emerging markets. We focus on delivering high-impact, up-to-date content that reflects the latest developments in finance, investment, and risk management. By doing so, we empower professionals at all career stages to drive innovation, ensure regulatory compliance, and contribute meaningfully to economic growth in the region.

What truly sets us apart is our learner-centric, outcome-driven approach. We go beyond traditional instruction by offering a blended model of education—combining expert-led live sessions, personalized mentoring, hands-on case studies, and digital learning resources. Our faculty includes industry practitioners and certified experts who bring real-world insights into the classroom. Additionally, we tailor our programs to reflect regional regulatory frameworks and market dynamics, ensuring relevance and applicability.

Moreover, our mentoring for professional certifications is structured not just around passing exams but around building foundational competencies that endure beyond certification. We also emphasize behavioral skills, ethical decision-making, and strategic thinking—qualities that are often overlooked but essential for leadership in finance.

This holistic, localized, and practical approach is what makes our academy a pioneer in financial education in the region.

2. As Head of Beltone Academy, what guiding principles shape your leadership and the direction you set for the Academy?

As Head of Beltone Academy, my leadership is guided by four core principles: relevance, excellence, inclusivity, and impact.

• Relevance: The financial industry is constantly evolving, and so must education. I ensure that our programs stay ahead of the curve by aligning them with current market needs, regulatory updates, and global trends. We actively engage with industry stakeholders to make our offerings both practical and forward-looking.
• Excellence: I believe in setting high standards—not just for our learners, but for our subject-matter expertise (SMEs), content, and delivery methods. We continuously invest in the quality of our trainers, materials, and learning technologies to provide a best-in-class educational experience.
• Inclusivity: One of my key priorities is to make financial education accessible and empowering for a diverse audience—whether they’re students entering the field, mid-career professionals, or senior executives. We design learning pathways that accommodate different learning styles, backgrounds, and career goals.
• Impact: Ultimately, education should drive real-world outcomes. I lead with a results-oriented mindset—ensuring that our learners are not only gaining knowledge but are also equipped to apply it in ways that add value to their organizations and the broader economy.

These principles help me steer the Academy with clarity and purpose, fostering a culture of continuous learning, innovation, and meaningful contribution to the financial services sector.

3. What do you believe are the most critical skills the next generation of finance professionals will need, and how is the Academy preparing learners – both seasoned professionals and entry level participants – to develop them?

The finance profession is evolving rapidly, and the next generation of professionals will need a blend of technical expertise, analytical thinking, digital literacy, and soft skills to thrive.

The most critical skills include:

• Digital Technological Competence – As fintech, AI, blockchain, and data analytics reshape the industry, professionals must understand and apply these technologies in decision-making and operations.
• Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving – The ability to analyze complex data, assess risks, and make sound strategic decisions will be a core differentiator.
• Regulatory and Ethical Awareness – With increasing scrutiny and evolving regulations, professionals must navigate compliance with integrity and foresight.
• Communication and Collaboration – Whether presenting insights, working in cross-functional teams, or leading projects, strong interpersonal skills are essential.
• Adaptability and Lifelong Learning – The pace of change in finance requires an ongoing commitment to learning and a mindset open to innovation.

How the Academy Prepares Learners:

Our Academy takes a holistic and tiered approach to cater to both entry-level participants and experienced professionals:

• For entry-level learners, we build strong technical foundations in accounting, financial analysis, and investment principles, while incorporating hands-on tools like Excel modeling, data visualization, and basic coding for finance.
• For seasoned professionals, we focus on advanced topics such as strategic finance, risk management, fintech integration, and leadership development. We also provide exposure to global case studies and simulations that reflect real-world challenges.
• Across all levels, we emphasize experiential learning—through case studies, industry projects, mentorship, and interactive workshops—to ensure learners apply their knowledge in practical settings.
• Our partnerships with certification bodies also help participants gain globally recognized credentials while deepening their subject-matter expertise.

Ultimately, we aim to develop well-rounded finance professionals who are not just technically proficient, but also agile, ethical, and ready to lead in a rapidly transforming world.

4. How do you see the needs of financial literacy evolving in the MENA region, and how are you working to address these changes?

Financial literacy in the MENA region is undergoing a significant shift. Traditionally, the focus was on basic personal finance and corporate accounting, but today, the region is experiencing rapid economic diversification, digital transformation, and increased regulatory sophistication. As a result, the need for broader, deeper, and more specialized financial knowledge is more critical than ever.

We’re seeing key shifts in financial literacy needs across three dimensions:

• From Awareness to Application – It’s no longer enough to know financial concepts; individuals and institutions need to apply them to real-world scenarios—from budgeting and saving to investment and risk management.
• From Traditional Finance to Digital Finance – With the rise of fintech, digital banking, and blockchain-based assets, financial literacy now includes understanding digital wallets, cybersecurity, and decentralized finance.
• From Individual Focus to Ecosystem Understanding – Professionals need to understand how macroeconomic trends, ESG factors, regulatory changes, and geopolitical shifts impact financial systems and decisions.

How we’re addressing these changes:

• Customized Programs for Diverse Audiences: We design learning pathways for various segments—from youth and entrepreneurs to banking professionals and policymakers. Each program reflects the learner’s context and regional dynamics.
• Focus on Digital and Inclusive Finance: We integrate modules on digital transformation, fintech, and inclusive finance to help participants adapt to the future of financial services in the region.
• Partnerships with Local and Global Stakeholders: We collaborate with financial institutions, regulators, and global education providers to ensure our content is both regionally relevant and globally benchmarked.
• Outreach and Awareness Campaigns: Beyond formal training, we also engage in community education initiatives, webinars, and thought leadership to promote financial literacy across broader society.

Our goal is to not only raise the level of financial competence in the MENA region but also to empower individuals and institutions to make informed, confident, and responsible financial decisions that support long-term economic growth.

5. What is the importance of collaborations between financial institutions and business schools, and what impact can they have on bridging education with industry needs?

Collaborations between financial institutions and business schools are crucial for aligning academic education with real-world industry demands. These partnerships create a two-way bridge—business schools gain insight into current market practices, while financial institutions benefit from cutting-edge research and talent development.

Key reasons why these collaborations are important:

• Relevance of Curriculum: Financial institutions can provide direct input into course design, ensuring that programs reflect current industry trends, regulatory changes, and technological developments. This helps close the gap between theory and practice.
• Talent Pipeline Development: Business schools are key sources of future talent. Collaborations allow financial institutions to engage with students early, shape their competencies, and even identify high-potential recruits through internships, projects, and competitions.
• Real-World Exposure for Students: Joint initiatives like case studies, guest lectures, mentorship programs, and industry immersion give students a firsthand understanding of financial operations, risk management, and client services—skills that are difficult to gain through textbooks alone.
• Research and Innovation: Partnering with business schools enables financial institutions to access academic research that can support innovation in areas like fintech, sustainable finance, or regulatory compliance.
• Upskilling and Executive Education: For working professionals, collaborations support continuous learning. Business schools can deliver tailored executive education programs, co-developed with industry partners, to address specific capability gaps within financial institutions.

The impact of these collaborations is transformative—they create a more agile, skilled, and future-ready workforce, while fostering a culture of lifelong learning. In a fast-changing financial landscape, this synergy is not just beneficial, it’s essential for sustainable growth and competitiveness.