Treasury Priorities for Multinational Corporations - Middle East and Africa

Treasury Priorities for Multinational Corporations | 33 Strategic Drivers and Benefits The adoption of real-time treasury is not merely a technological upgrade; it is a strategic response to the demands of the modern economy. The primary drivers, as identified by MEA treasury professionals, are the need for instant payment capabilities (15%) and real- time liquidity solutions (9%). By embracing real-time treasury, organizations can unlock significant benefits: • Enhanced Visibility and Control: Gaining a real-time, global view of cash positions is the most critical advantage, allowing treasurers to manage liquidity proactively rather than reactively. • OptimizedWorking Capital: By concentrating cash and deploying liquidity more efficiently, companies can reduce idle balances, lower borrowing costs, and improve returns on surplus cash. • Improved Risk Management: Instant visibility helps in managing counterparty risk and mitigating the impact of market volatility by enabling faster responses. • Increased Operational Efficiency: Automating data aggregation and payment processes frees up treasury teams frommanual, low-value tasks, allowing them to focus on strategic analysis and collaboration with the business. The journey to a fully real-time treasury requires investment in technology and a commitment to building a robust data infrastructure. However, the payoff is a transformed treasury function – one that is more agile, efficient, and strategically vital to the enterprise than ever before. The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Treasury The data reveals that a half of organizations currently have no plans to explore or implement AI solutions. However, this lack of current interest is anticipated to shift dramatically as the pervasive and transformative nature of AI adoption becomes increasingly inevitable across industries. We expect the number of organizations initially resistant or undecided to decrease over time as they recognize the necessity and benefits of integrating AI into their operations. H alf of organizations currently have no plans to explore or implement AI solutions in treasury. It is crucial to acknowledge that this survey was conducted in Q3 2025, with questions formulated even earlier. Given the unprecedented speed of AI adoption, technological advancements, intensifying competition, and the strategic prioritization of AI by CEOs globally, the insights derived from this survey may have already evolved. This rapid pace is precisely why challenges that were significant just a year or two ago, such as backend data issues hindering AI implementation, can now be actively addressed by advanced AI solutions that not only cleanse and structure data, but also proactively suggest improvements, thereby accelerating the path to AI integration. The Inevitable Rise of AI in Treasury While the survey shows that nearly half (49.41%) of organizations have no immediate plans to implement AI, this reflects a temporary viewpoint , not a final decision. In our view, the widespread adoption of AI in treasury is inevitable due to its rapid evolution and clear benefits. Explored or Implemented AI Solutions No, and we have no plans to explore and implement AI solutions at the moment No, but we are considering exploring and implement AI solutions Yes 49% 15% 36%