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Relm, an insurance solutions provider, has expanded into the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region in Q3 2024 and sees significant opportunities in the area. At the Dubai FinTech Summit 2025, Joseph Ziolkowski, CEO and founder of Relm, discussed with Richie Santosdiaz from The Fintech Times about digitizing innovative insurance solutions. Ziolkowski emphasized the UAE's innovation across blockchain, digital assets, fintech, and AI.

The insurance industry, valued at $6 trillion, faces stagnation due to traditional risks. Relm aims to differentiate itself by contributing to solutions for complex risks in innovative markets, particularly in the UAE. Ziolkowski noted the importance of physical presence and engagement with innovative companies in the region.

Insurtech innovations are transforming the global insurance industry, with the MENA region historically having low insurance penetration. Ziolkowski highlighted the role of regulation in insurance adoption, stating that regulators often require minimum insurance limits for firms to become authorized entities. He also pointed out that contracts in the global business world increasingly require minimum insurance limits for trading partners.

The adoption of technologies like AI and deeptech is pushing organizations to adopt sophisticated risk management and transfer strategies. Ziolkowski believes that we are heading towards a digital financial future, with the UAE being a forward-thinking region.

Dubai's Innovation Hub exemplifies the region's enablement of a digital financial future. Ziolkowski noted that Dubai and the UAE offer regulatory clarity, a concentration of innovative companies, and a solid flow of investor capital. He sees insurance as crucial for sustainable development and a significant opportunity for Relm to be part of local innovation in Dubai.

Relm intends to expand beyond the UAE, recognizing the extensive opportunities within the MENA region. With an office in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and regulation by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), Relm aims to maximize the accessibility of its products and solutions for companies pushing innovation across the region, aligning with the Dubai Fintech Summit’s theme of fintech for all.