Accelerating commitment to sustainable finance, Ghada Hammouda has been elected Chairperson of the Sustainability Committee of the Arab Federation of Capital Markets (AFCM). Hammouda, Group Chief Sustainability and Marketing Officer at Qalaa Holdings, is widely recognized as one of Egypt’s foremost sustainability leaders. With over three decades of cross-sector experience in both developed and emerging markets, she brings a results-driven approach to ESG leadership rooted in strategic planning, market development, and responsible brand building.
Her election comes at a critical moment, as global markets reassess environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategies in the face of climate risks, economic shifts, and growing demand for responsible investment.
“As some global actors retreat from sustainability commitments, our region has a unique opportunity to lead with purpose—driving long-term resilience, responsible investment, and inclusive economic growth,” Hammouda said in a statement following her election.
With decades of experience in sustainability leadership, Hammouda emphasized that sustainability is no longer a peripheral concern but a strategic imperative that underpins market stability, investor confidence, and long-term value creation.
“ESG principles enhance transparency, reduce systemic risk, and direct quality capital flows toward resilient economies,” she added. “We must choose to do what is right—not just what is easy.”
A Career Grounded in Purpose and Global Expertise
A certified board director by both the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Egypt’s Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA), Hammouda currently serves on the Sustainability Committees of both the Egyptian Exchange (EGX) and the Arab Federation of Exchanges (AFE). She is also a licensed Global Climate Reality Leader and a vocal advocate for climate action and corporate responsibility.
Hammouda holds a BA in Business Administration and Mass Communications from the American University in Cairo, as well as a licence-de-droit from Cairo University’s School of Law. She has completed ESG training programs for private equity funds by FMO & DEG in Nairobi, Kenya, and holds a Leadership for Directors certification from 2018.
After early work in capacity building at Egypt’s National Council for Childhood and Motherhood and the Industrial Modernization Centre (IMC), Hammouda joined Qalaa Holdings in 2008. There, she spearheaded the company’s public listing and led its expansion into Africa in pioneering sectors such as solid waste management and river transportation, while building Qalaa’s sustainability and responsible investing platforms from the ground up.
Her earlier career spanned senior roles at global blue-chip firms including IBM, AT&T International, Mars, Philip Morris, Procter & Gamble, Reciprocal Inc., and Ogilvy & Mather. She has served on the boards of both U.S. and regional organizations and was a co-chair of the African Venture Capital Association’s Advocacy Committee and the Women in Business Committee at the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt.
Steering Responsible Investment
The Arab Federation of Capital Markets, representing exchanges and financial regulators across 17 Arab countries, has made sustainable finance a top priority. Under Hammouda’s leadership, the AFCM Sustainability Committee will focus on integrating ESG frameworks, fostering regulatory alignment, and scaling up green and social investments across the region.
As Chairperson of the AFCM Sustainability Committee, Hammouda’s new role signals not only a commitment to green finance but a broader vision for inclusive, transparent, and innovation-driven economic development in the Arab world.
