AI, WhatsApp, and the Rise of Conversational Commerce with Fares Akkad, Regional Director, MEA, Meta

In a region powered by ambition and a young, digital-first population, the future of commerce is being reshaped in real time. In this episode of Access Tomorrow, Leila Serhan sits down with Meta’s Fares Akkad to unpack how AI, open platforms, and messaging are lowering barriers for entrepreneurs and SMEs across the Middle East.From “chat as the new shop” to the democratization of AI, the conversation explores how businesses of any size can scale faster, connect deeper, and compete globally—often with just a smartphone.As technologies evolve, one thing is clear: access is expanding, and opportunity is becoming more inclusive than ever.Listen to the full episode to explore what’s next for payments, platforms, and the region’s digital economy.For more podcasts by Visa, visit: https://km.visamiddleeast.com/en_KM/about-visa/cemea-podcast.html#1