Advisors

Afiq Johar

Advisor, Innovation & Startup Ecosystem

Malaysia

Afiq is an experienced leader with over 15 years spent in both the public & private sector across Southeast Asia and Kazakhstan. Over the last 8 years, he has worked on startup ecosystem & digital development with government innovation agencies as well as launching entrepreneurship ventures, and brings deep experience in corporate & growth strategy.

Afiq began his career in corporate finance and management consulting, having worked with PwC, Accenture and Bain & Company, covering various industries and clients across Southeast Asia.

In 2014, he was a founding member of the Malaysian Global Innovation & Creativity Centre (MaGIC), where he held the role of Executive Director & Acting CEO. In MaGIC, Afiq had been driving corporate innovation and digital transformation activities at a national level, working with various levels of government, corporates, technology partners and startups. He also sat on the Cyberjaya Smart City Council, the National IOT Council, NBOS Council, and was a member of the TN50 Youth Circle.

After MaGIC, Afiq was a member of the Fintech Advisory Council and Chief Fintech Officer at the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) in Kazakhstan. He was responsible for setting the strategy and positioning Kazakhstan as the regional fintech hub through the launch of new fintech initiatives as well as partnerships with other global fintech hubs.

After the AIFC, Afiq was a a Government Affairs Advisor with Grab Malaysia supporting digitalisation initiatives with the Government, and is currently the CEO of Durian Capital Berhad, Malaysia’s 1st licensed durian investment company and an Advisor with Gobi Partners.