In a strategic leadership appointment aimed at strengthening its technological and data infrastructure, Citi has named Sara Ali as the new Head of Platforms & Data Services for the Middle East & Africa (MEA) region. This move places a seasoned executive at the helm of a critical division responsible for the bank’s digital backbone in a rapidly evolving market. In her new capacity, Ali will join the global Platforms & Data Services (PDS) organization, reporting directly to Naveed Anwar and maintaining a matrix reporting line to Rizwan Shaikh, a structure that reflects the integrated nature of her responsibilities across the bank’s operational and regional frameworks.
Ali’s appointment is a clear signal of Citi’s commitment to advancing its digital-first strategy across the MEA territory. She is being tasked with the crucial mandate of driving the bank’s strategic technology roadmap and accelerating the enhancement of its digital banking capabilities. She brings to the role an extensive and proven track record of leading large-scale platform modernization and digital transformation initiatives specifically tailored to the unique demands of the MEA market. Her deep understanding of the intricate regulatory landscapes and diverse client requirements across the region is considered a vital asset as Citi continues to expand its suite of digital offerings to better serve its global client segments.
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This promotion is a natural progression from Ali’s most recent position, where she served as the Cluster Services Technology Head for the same MEA region. In that role, she demonstrated exceptional leadership by successfully navigating a series of high-stakes, complex projects that were critical to the bank’s operational integrity and future growth. She was instrumental in steering the bank through significant and evolving regulatory changes, skillfully managing key initiatives such as the crucial migration to the ISO 20022 financial messaging standard, advancing trade digitization efforts, and implementing near real-time regulatory reporting systems. She also oversaw vital, market-mandated upgrades to essential Financial Market Infrastructures (FMIs).
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Beyond her considerable achievements in the regulatory space, Ali was also a key champion of the broader platform modernization and digital transformation agenda throughout the MEA region. Among her most notable accomplishments was her leadership in the strategic rollout of OnePay, a significant platform initiative for the bank. In a move that greatly enhanced operational efficiency, she also successfully managed the retirement and decommissioning of over 30 legacy local applications, a critical step in streamlining Citi’s technological footprint and creating a more agile and unified infrastructure. Her past performance positions her as an ideal leader to guide the bank’s next phase of digital innovation in the region.
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