Egypt lands $572M UAE-backed solar deal, expanding Gulf's clean-energy footprint Gulf companies have been increasing their investments in North African renewable energy. Egypt
Newsletter: Business & Tech World Cup spending boosts Morocco stocks This week, Morocco’s stock market surged on 2030 World Cup hype, Egypt secured its first Qatari industrial investment in sustainable aviation fuel, Yemen’s oil-rich south saw renewed conflict, and AI-driven robots are helping the UAE meet construction demands. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Morocco’s markets rise as World Cup spending fuels largest IPO in decades Shares in SGTM jumped by 10% on Dec. 16 after the construction firm raised roughly $550 million from its IPO, underscoring demand in a market that has featured few new listings in recent years. Morocco
India’s Modi eyes closer ties with Jordan, Oman during visits Modi’s two-day visit to Jordan made investments and economic cooperation a central piece of the talks with Amman. Jordan
Analysis Yemen’s oil heartland fuels new conflict as STC seeks new political power By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Newsletter: Business & Tech Syria seeks investment in new era By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
AI and cloud investments dominate Saudi Arabia's LEAP tech summit Amazon Web Services and DataVolt were among the companies that made significant cloud investments in the kingdom, which is looking to become a global technology hub. Saudi Arabia
UAE-India ties grow as DP World secures $422M for Gujarat container terminal Intiatives like the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor have seen business deals flourishing between India and the United Arab Emirates. United Arab Emirates
What does Donald Trump's latest $200 million deal with Saudi Arabia entail? The former president, who is now the presumptive nominee for the Republican Party, has long had significant business ties to Saudi Arabia via his properties and the LIV Golf league. Legacy: Gulf
Morocco turns to Turkey for weapons imports as Israel ties strain over Gaza Francisco Serrano In Lisbon, reporting on North Africa business
Egypt’s pound falls 60% amid currency float, $5B IMF deal Egypt announced that it had expanded a previously $3 billion loan program with the International Monetary Fund after the decision to float the currency was made public. Egypt
Could Etihad Airways become first Gulf airline to launch IPO? The airline reported on Wednesday that it made a net profit for 2023 and 2022 after a string of substantial losses since 2016. United Arab Emirates
Gulf Starbucks operator to lay off 2,000 amid Gaza boycotts Starbucks’ business has been significantly impacted by the Gaza war, and has faced boycott calls from pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel groups recently. Legacy: Gulf
Pro-Palestine protesters block UK arms fair sponsored by Israel’s Elbit Systems Since 2015, Britain has licensed more than $602 million worth of military exports to Israel, including components for combat aircraft, missiles, tanks, technology, small arms and ammunition, according to the Campaign Against Arms Trade group. Israel
Iran, Algeria to build closer energy, tourism ties Europe is increasingly interested in Algeria as an alternative to Russia for gas supplies, while Iran is seeking to boost its own gas output amid continued US sanctions. Iran
Turkey's annual inflation surges to 15-month high of 67% With Turkey's annual inflation at 67%, a 15-month high, analysts argue that the Central Bank will need to resume monetary tightening. Turkey
UK-Saudi deal allows kingdom to tap into Britain’s $1T tech market The kingdom spent $5.1 billion on research and development in 2022, a 32.7% from the previous year’s $3.9 billion. Saudi Arabia
New Egyptian company to raise expat funds gets $100m seed investment The project is designed to bring in much-needed foreign currency into the North African country, which is going through its worst economic crisis in more than half a century. Egypt