Banking & Finance

MENA IPOs hit 18-year high, bond issuance surges 86 percent in 2024: Report

Food delivery firm Talabat raised $2 billion in its stock market debut, the largest IPO in the MENA region during 2024

Google Pay set to launch in Saudi Arabia in 2025

Google Pay will offer users a secure and easy way to make purchases in stores, apps, and online

ADQ-backed Further Ventures leads $16 million funding round in French crypto firm Dfns

Dfns aims to fund administrators, with a strategic emphasis on the EU, UK, UAE and US markets

How e-invoicing will improve business efficiency and compliance in the Middle East

It is not just about compliance, but a potential game-changer for businesses in the region

The transformative success and promising future of ADFW

The 2024 edition welcomed delegates representing highly regarded asset managers with a collective AUM of over $42.5 trillion

Amnah Ajmal on leadership, technology, and driving change beyond finance

The Mastercard EEMEA executive shares her over two-decade journey of breaking barriers and redefining leadership

Bahrain Government Treasury Bills worth $185.8 million oversubscribed by 200 percent

The issuance date for these treasury bills is set for January 15, while they are due to mature on April 16

Central Bank of Kuwait issues $660 million bond and tawarruq with 4.125 percent yield rate

Bonds fund governments by repaying principal and interest; tawarruq converts debts into tradable securities

eSAMA: Saudi Central Bank launches e-services portal to digitize services

The new platform allows individuals, government entities, and businesses to access services electronically

Halo AI secures $6 million to expand brand creator collaborations beyond Saudi Arabia

The company aims to expand into Dubai and Kuwait, targeting growth in MENA, Europe, and North America

Aldar raises $2.45 billion in sustainability-linked syndicated revolving credit facility 

Facility attracted orders from 15 prominent international and regional financial institutions

Abu Dhabi’s ADQ plans to acquire Aramex, bolster logistics holdings

Shares in Aramex opened up 14.7 percent higher at AED2.65 per share on Monday

Aldar issues $1 billion in hybrid notes, attracts strong demand

The issuance was oversubscribed by 3.8 times, with total orders exceeding $4.9 billion

How many times will US Fed cut rates in 2025?

U.S. central bank officials have raised new inflation concerns

Ten startups selected for second edition of MIT DesignX Dubai Accelerator

The program features a comprehensive curriculum crafted by MIT, which has proven successful in its first cohort

UAE banks to remain strong in 2025, earnings may decline: Report

Lower interest rates and supportive economic environment are likely to boost lending growth in 2025

Saudi Arabia leads MENA’s VC landscape with $750 million funding in 2024

Saudi Arabia set a new record with 178 VC deals last year, solidifying its position as the region's largest economy

DAE signs definitive agreement to acquire 100 percent of Nordic Aviation Capital

The transaction will be adequately capitalized and financed through internal resources and secured debt financing

ADNOC L&S issues $2 billion hybrid capital instrument to finance Navig8 acquisition, future growth

Company to utilize around $1 billion of the financing to fund the acquisition of Navig8

Egypt’s net foreign reserves surge to $47.109 billion in December 2024

At the close of August 2024, Egypt's net international reserves reached $46.597 billion

Saudi Arabia issues $12 billion triple-tranche bond, oversubscribed by three times

The total order book reached around $37 billion, which equals an oversubscription of 3 times

Saudi PIF completes $7 billion inaugural murabaha credit facility

This financing arrangement is backed by a broad consortium of 20 international and regional financial institutions

Saudi Arabia endorses 2025 annual borrowing plan with $37 billion funding target

This plan outlines key public debt developments for 2024, local market enhancements, and the 2025 funding strategy