Building the architecture of financial inclusion in Yemen and across the Arab region.
Avisionarybankingleaderanddevelopmentfinanceexpert,Mr.Al-LaifoundedAl-AmalMicrofinanceBank—Yemen’sfirstmicrofinancebank—andhasledittobecomearegionalmodelforinnovationandimpact.
His leadership spans the Central Bank of Yemen, the Social Fund for Development, and regional networks such as Sanabel and the Union of Arab Banks, where he has advanced responsible finance, governance and SME development. He continues to champion ESG principles, digital transformation and climate-resilient finance to empower low-income communities and strengthen financial ecosystems across the Arab region.
Microfinance, agent banking and mobile financial services reaching rural and underserved communities.
Risk-based supervision, prudential regulation and board leadership in Yemen, Jordan and the Arab region.
Green banking, E&S risk management and climate-smart lending aligned with international standards.
Al-Amal Microfinance Bank, supervised by the Central Bank of Yemen, 2008.
Integrating microfinance into the Arab banking system.
Dedicated to donor and institutional cooperation in the microfinance sector.
Al-Amal Foundation (Reyadah), uniting financial and non-financial services.
Founded and built the first microfinance bank in Yemen and MENA. Leads strategy, fundraising, governance and the digital transformation roadmap, and has attracted partners including Kiva, Silatech, UNICEF, MEPI, the EU and EAA.
Led the bank’s restructuring and modernisation to restore financial stability and operational efficiency, and directed the development of e-money and fintech services.
Coordinated the rollout of risk-based supervision across the Yemeni banking system and led the development of new prudential regulations and capacity-building programmes.
Designed the funding and monitoring mechanisms for Yemen’s MFI sector and strengthened its sustainability and outreach alongside international donors.
Examined commercial and specialised banks for soundness, compliance and risk management, assessing capital adequacy and internal controls against Basel guidelines.
Board and chair roles spanning Yemen, Jordan, Syria, Sudan, Sierra Leone and the wider Arab region.
Contributed to drafting and issuance within the Central Bank’s Banking Supervision Sector.
Led the formulation of both national strategies as Head of SMED at the Social Fund for Development.
Founded the national network and its 8-year strategy, with national standards for certifying trainers and consultants.
Authored a pioneering strategic framework for inclusive finance, in partnership with the public and private sectors.
An advocate at COP28 (2023) and COP29 (2024) for climate-resilient microfinance and green lending, leading AMB’s transition toward ESG-integrated banking.
Green banking principles, renewable energy investment and resource efficiency.
E&S considerations embedded across all banking operations.
E&S risk management and a due-diligence checklist for every project.
Readiness assessment and alignment with international climate finance standards.
ESG, gender and waste-management policies, with staff training.
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