Meet the 2026 IFC–Milken Institute Capital Market Scholars: Estifanos Melkamu Mesfin and Ahmed Arushadh

GBBC recently introduced our 2026 IFC-Milken Institute Capital Market Scholars, Ahmed Arushadh and Estifanos Melkamu Mesfin, who have been playing a hands-on role in shaping the next phase of the Global Standards Mapping Initiative (GSMI) 7.0.

Ahmed is driving capital market development in the Maldives through his work at the Capital Market Development Authority (CMDA), where he contributes to policy initiatives shaping the country’s financial future. With a background in accounting and finance, as well as early experience at the Maldives Stock Exchange, he brings hands-on market insight to advancing a growing ecosystem to GSMI 7.0.

Learn more about Ahmed and watch his interview.

Estifanos is actively shaping Ethiopia’s capital markets from the ground up, leading the licensing of key market players as Director of Licensing and Registration at the Capital Market Authority. Backed by a strong foundation in business law, at GBBC he brings a global lens to building emerging financial ecosystems to GSMI 7.0.

Learn more about Estifanos and watch his interview.

The next era of digital markets is already being built by leaders like Ahmed and Estifanos.