Connecting Technology
Capital & Global Markets
Where connectivity becomes conviction
Dr. Manal Rifki is Director of Strategy & International Business Development at Rakuten Mobile, part of Rakuten Group, one of Japan's leading technology conglomerates. She leads international growth initiatives through strategic partnerships and M&A, with a focus on the convergence of connectivity, fintech, and digital ecosystems.
She is also a Partner at IVC Fund, a global venture investment platform with more than 200 investments across fintech, digital assets, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies. Her work spans private-market innovation, cross-border capital flows, tokenization, and digital financial infrastructure, with a particular interest in strengthening connections between MENA and Asian markets.
Through both her corporate and investment work, Dr. Manal brings together technology, capital, and international markets. She works closely with investors, founders, institutions, and policymakers to identify emerging opportunities and build partnerships across regions.
Dr. Manal also serves as the Japan Ambassador for the MENA Fintech Association, contributing to the development of stronger ties between the MENA and Asian fintech and investment ecosystems. She is a visiting lecturer in digital assets, fintech, and innovation, and regularly contributes to discussions on the evolution of financial markets and the role of technology in shaping their future.
