Guest host Chris Wiese, CFA, Managing Director of Education at CFA Institute, sits down with Nerina Visser, CFA, President’s Council Representative for the Middle East and Africa, during the CFA Institute LIVE 2025 conference. Their conversation spans the dynamic investment environment across the region and the evolving role of CFA Institute in supporting professionals navigating local and global challenges. Nerina discusses the structural realities shaping participation in the profession—including currency volatility, affordability, and access—and highlights new ways of thinking about program value relative to income levels. She also shares her advocacy for gender diversity through Women in ETFs South Africa and reflects on initiatives designed to ensure lasting, inclusive progress in the industry. Additional insights include strategies to overcome persistent misconceptions around ETFs, the role of transparency and education in investor decision-making, and a forward-looking vision for integrating African capital markets into the global investment ecosystem through regulatory alignment and regional cooperation. Tune in for perspective on unlocking talent, expanding access, and promoting resilience across frontier and emerging markets.