NBK Empowers Women and Enhances Sustainable Development

Al-Watani participated in a main dialogue session at the conference titled “The Future of Women in the Economy: How Fintech, Artificial Intelligence, and Public Policy Will Shape a More Inclusive Economy,” moderated by Qadsi Rashid, the UK Ambassador to Kuwait. The bank was represented in the session by Amal Al-Duwaisan, President of Wiyaya Bank. Wiyaya also participated in the panel dedicated to youth and children, represented by Aliya Al-Sane, Deputy President – Marketing.

The conference serves as a leading platform bringing together policymakers, business leaders, experts, and academics to discuss ways to enhance women’s economic participation and their role in building a more inclusive and sustainable economy. It also aims to support dialogue on innovation, fintech, and public policies that contribute to women’s empowerment and sustainable economic growth.

Al-Watani’s participation in the “Future of Women in the Economy” session underscores its ongoing commitment to strengthening women’s role in driving economic development and digital transformation.

During the session, Al-Duwaisan discussed the rapid transformations in the labor market driven by technological advancements, highlighting the growing demand for AI-related skills. She also showcased successful models of female leadership that have contributed to advancing digital transformation within Al-Watani, emphasizing the importance of continuous investment in developing and preparing national talents for future jobs.

She affirmed that women have become key partners in leading innovation and decision-making across various sectors, stressing the need to create a supportive environment that enables them to leverage the opportunities offered by the digital economy.

She also highlighted the importance of building a digital financial system that not only focuses on innovation but also contributes to enhancing financial literacy, encouraging savings, and promoting responsible financial management.

Grounded in its belief in the importance of balancing innovation with stability, Al-Watani reaffirms its support for efforts to develop a flexible regulatory framework capable of keeping pace with the rapid developments in fintech and AI, while maintaining the highest standards of governance and customer protection.

During the session, Al-Duwaisan pointed out the importance of regulatory frameworks based on fundamental principles such as transparency, consumer protection, privacy, and cybersecurity, which create a favorable environment for responsible innovation. She also emphasized that trust will remain the decisive factor in the success and sustainability of digital transformation.

This aligns with the bank’s approach to developing its digital services within a framework based on responsibility and transparency, thereby enhancing customer trust and supporting the long-term growth of the digital economy.

Al-Watani’s participation embodies its vision that places human capital at the core of development through investment in national talents.

Al-Duwaisan stressed during the session that the rapid advancements in AI and fintech necessitate a heightened focus on investing in education, continuous development, and financial literacy, noting that building a more inclusive and sustainable economy begins with empowering individuals and equipping them with the tools they need to succeed in a changing economic environment.

She added that institutions best positioned to deliver sustainable value to society and the economy will be those that succeed in deploying technology responsibly, while keeping human capital and trust as foundational pillars of growth.

She stated: “At Weyay, we view technology as a means to empower individuals, enhance opportunities, and achieve financial inclusion, rather than as an end in itself. The future belongs to institutions that successfully balance innovation with trust, and technology with the human element, thereby delivering a positive and sustainable impact on society and the economy.”

In line with its commitment to empowering future generations and strengthening financial literacy among youth, Weyay participated in a distinguished panel discussion featuring Aliya Al-Sanea. The session was moderated by one of the child participants in the conference, a move that underscored the importance of involving emerging generations in dialogues about the future and listening to their views and aspirations regarding economic and technological issues.

The session was attended by a number of young people and students, including members of the Sabah Al-Ahmad Center for Giftedness and Creativity, alongside a group of enthusiasts interested in technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

The discussion also highlighted the bank’s role in promoting a culture of savings and early financial planning through innovative digital solutions, most notably benefits on savings accounts and expense management tools, as well as the “Jil” initiative, which aims to raise awareness and instill sound financial habits among emerging generations.

She emphasized that the future of the banking sector extends beyond providing traditional financial services to include empowering young people to build a healthy and sustainable relationship with money from an early age, thereby helping them make more informed financial decisions and better prepare for the future.

Al-Sanea affirmed that Weyay Bank continues to develop innovative banking solutions specifically designed to meet the needs and evolving aspirations of young people, driven by its belief that investing in new generations is a direct investment in the future of the economy and society.