Global digital operator VEON Ltd. and Nutshell Group have announced a strategic partnership for THE GLOBAL CONNECT, a new international platform designed to bring together policymakers, global investors, corporate leaders, and academia to advance cross-border investment, digital transformation, and long-term economic cooperation across emerging and frontier economies. The partnership was formalized through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Nutshell Group, VEON Limited, and JazzWorld at VEON’s global headquarters in Dubai, on the sidelines of the World Governments Summit.
The signing ceremony was attended by senior government representatives and leadership from VEON and Nutshell Group, including Bilal Azhar Kayani, Minister of State for Finance and Railways and Head of the Prime Minister’s Delivery Unit, Government of Pakistan; H. E. Shafqat Ali Khan, Ambassador of Pakistan to the United Arab Emirates; Augie K. Fabela II, Founder and Chairman of VEON; Brandon Lewis, Board Member of VEON; Kaan Terzioglu, Global CEO of VEON; Muhammad Azfar Ahsan, Founder and Chairman of Nutshell Group; Aamir Hafiz Ibrahim, CEO of JazzWorld and Member of the VEON Group Executive Committee; Usman Yousuf, Director, Nutshell Group; Rabia Ahmad, Director and CEO, Nutshell Group; Unaizah Saeed Ali, Chief Operating Officer, Middle East, Nutshell Group; Hande Asik, Chief Communications and Strategy Officer, VEON; Khaled Nasser, Director Government Relations, VEON; and Zaheer Mehdi, Chief Corporate and Regulatory Affairs Officer, JazzWorld.
Commenting on the initiative, Founder and Chairman of Nutshell Group Muhammad Azfar Ahsan stated: “THE GLOBAL CONNECT is built on a simple but critical principle: countries like Pakistan and other emerging economies do not lack potential; they lack structured platforms that turn intent into execution. Our goal is to connect global capital, technology, and markets with credible opportunities, fostering long-term partnerships, continuity, and trust.”
The inaugural meeting of THE GLOBAL CONNECT will be held in Islamabad in May 2026, bringing together leaders from more than 25 countries to advance economic cooperation, promote cross-border investment, and develop practical pathways for sustainable and inclusive growth.
Headquartered in Islamabad, THE GLOBAL CONNECT is establishing a strategic presence across key global economic centers, including Riyadh and Abu Dhabi in the Middle East; Tashkent and Astana in Central Asia; Cairo and Nairobi in Africa; Beijing and Hong Kong in China; Washington, New York, and Toronto in the Americas; as well as Istanbul and London. This growing global footprint will enable deeper connectivity among investors, businesses, policymakers, and institutions, strengthening economic linkages across regions.