Interview with Kareem Abdel-Rahman, Head of Global Transaction Banking | QNB, Egypt 

Seamless Xtra’s Paula Hallentuch interviews Kareem Abdel-Rahman, Head of Global Transaction Banking, QNB, Egypt 

 

Kareem Abdel-Rahman is the Head of Global Transaction Banking at QNB-Egypt, with 19 years of experience in trade finance, corporate banking, and financial innovation. Known for pioneering tools like the GT TREND Analysis and leading initiatives such as the Export Academy, Kareem blends deep technical expertise with a passion for education and digital transformation in banking. Kareem recently spoke at our Seamless Middle East 2025 event.

 

Reimagining cross-border trade: how innovation and infrastructure can drive regional growth 

1. In your Seamless Middle East presentation, you proposed a unified B2B e-commerce platform connecting exporters, banks, logistics providers, and insurers across MENA–Africa. What core features must it include to be truly transformative, and how can it foster trust among participants?

When I shared this idea, I was not describing a digital platform in the traditional sense. What I proposed was a regional infrastructure for trade. A system that connects all players involved in cross-border trade, not just exporters and banks, but also logistics, insurers, customs, and relevant government agencies. 

To be truly transformative, this platform needs to act as a one-stop shop. It should cover everything from onboarding businesses and verifying their identity and credibility, to managing documentation, shipping updates, insurance, financing, and settlement. It must be easy to use, multilingual, and available in local contexts. 

One of the biggest challenges in regional trade is trust. Many SMEs hesitate to trade beyond their borders because they simply don’t know who they are dealing with. That’s why verification is key. If the platform includes a transparent onboarding system with digital KYB tools, verified credentials, and perhaps a rating mechanism based on trade history and behavior, it would help participants feel more confident and reduce risk. 

Of course, the success of this transformation depends heavily on the role of governments. If a few leading governments adopt the platform and embed it in their export, import, and customs operations, they can act as the initial nucleus that gives the system momentum. Over time, others will join once they see it working. Governments will also benefit from improved trade visibility, data, and better support for their exporters. 

The real value lies in making regional trade easier, faster, and more secure for everyone involved. This platform must become part of the trade infrastructure, not just a digital tool. 

 

2. You mentioned integrating regional trade agreements with technologies like blockchain and AI. What real-world use cases do you see as most viable in the near term, particularly for cross-border payments and trade finance?

If we want to unlock the true value of regional trade agreements, we need to make them easier to use and monitor. Technology can do that. Today, even when agreements exist on paper, businesses often find it too complex or unclear to benefit from them. A smart digital layer could simplify the process and automate rules of origin, documentation checks, and eligibility for tariff reductions. 

In the near term, I see three practical use cases. 

First, cross-border payments. Many small exporters still suffer from delays, high costs, and a lack of transparency when it comes to getting paid. If regional trade platforms are connected with regulated, efficient payment rails, transactions can become much faster and more predictable. That alone would boost confidence and cash flow. 

Second, digital documentation. The majority of global trade now happens without traditional instruments like letters of credit. That means exporters and importers rely heavily on trust and data. Blockchain can help by ensuring that documents like invoices, bills of lading, and insurance certificates are secure, tamper-proof, and traceable. It also enables better collaboration among the ecosystem players, including banks and customs authorities. 

Third, risk assessment and financing. AI can analyze trade behavior, shipping patterns, and partner credibility, allowing banks and fintechs to offer smarter, faster credit decisions. For example, a business with regular export patterns and good delivery history could be eligible for invoice financing or supply chain finance with minimal paperwork. 

Ultimately, the goal is not to introduce technology for its own sake, but to remove pain points, close the financing gap, and make trade more inclusive across the region. 

 

3. What role should banks and fintechs play in powering this regional digital trade ecosystem — especially when it comes to enabling credit access, secure transactions, and scalable infrastructure?

Banks and fintechs each bring essential capabilities. Banks have the experience, regulatory foundation, and financial strength to handle trade risks and large volumes. Fintechs bring agility, innovation, and the ability to design simple user experiences. But the real impact comes when they work together. 

Banks can play a stronger role in enabling access to working capital and credit, using trade data rather than traditional financial statements alone. A business that consistently delivers goods and gets paid on time should not be excluded from financing just because it lacks collateral or audited statements. 

Fintechs, on the other hand, can simplify everything from onboarding to document submission and transaction tracking. They can also integrate with logistics providers, customs systems, and insurance players to provide a more unified experience. 

For this ecosystem to scale, we also need shared infrastructure. That means APIs, standardized documents, and common protocols. Governments, again, have an important role to play here, both in providing foundational infrastructure and in acting as early adopters. 

This is not just about digitizing trade finance. It is about creating a new regional trade model that supports real economic growth. If we get it right, we can reduce trade deficits, empower SMEs, and open new markets across MENA and Africa. 

 

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