Middle East and Africa Conference 2026

February 2026

We were pleased to welcome delegates to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, for the Russell Bedford Middle East & Africa Conference 2026.

Ahead of the conference, Stephen Hamlet, CEO of Russell Bedford International, and Kathryn Davis, Associate Director of Network Engagement, visited our host firm, Russell Bedford (Dubai) Limited, where they met with leaders Stephen Banks, John Donnelly and Mark Mallari to gain further insight into the firm’s work and regional experience.

The conference opened with a welcome dinner overlooking the golden sands of Palm Jumeirah, giving delegates the opportunity to reconnect and strengthen relationships with our members from across the region.

The conference programme began with introductions from Global Board Directors, Stephen Banks and Daniel Ryba, and an update from CEO Stephen Hamlet on network developments. This was followed by a series of practice interviews, enabling firms to discuss growth, challenges and market developments within a regional and global context.

We were delighted to welcome Hanadi Khalife of ICAEW and Naweed Lalani of the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), who joined our Director of Professional Standards, Helen Bimbassis, for a thought-provoking panel discussion on audit quality, technology and talent in a new regulatory era.

The conversation explored the future of the accounting profession, the importance of quality against the backdrop of current challenges, and how embracing AI can help firms unlock their potential.

The conference agenda also featured practical discussions on productivity tools in the MEA region, roundtable sessions exploring solutions to today’s prevailing challenges, and regional and sub-regional developments.

The conference concluded with a dinner at Khyber restaurant, where delegates celebrated the event’s success whilst enjoying views of Dubai’s skyline.

Reflecting on the event, CEO Stephen Hamlet commented: “It was an honour to once again bring our Middle East & Africa region together in Dubai. The quality of discussion, collaboration and shared ambition throughout the conference clearly demonstrated the strength of our network and our collective focus on driving sustainable progress across the region.”

We would like to extend our gratitude to every delegate, speaker, and participant for their contributions, energy and openness throughout the conference.

Russell Bedford International members can visit the event page to access speaker presentations and photos from this year’s conference.