MENA M&A activity surges in Q1 2025 with $46bn in deals: EY

MENA M&A activity surges in Q1 2025 with $46bn in deals: EY

The MENA deal markets remained resilient despite lack of clarity on two fronts: the impact of monetary policy on cost of capital and the ongoing tariff and trade discussion, said EY

ADGM FSRA fines 23 entities for tax regualtion breach Image ADGM

ADGM’s FSRA fines 23 entities for international tax regulation breach

The CRS and FATCA frameworks are part of international efforts to enhance tax transparency and combat global tax evasion

Dubai issues new guidelines to ensure accountability in public finances

Dubai issues new guidelines to ensure accountability in public finances

The decision applies to all employees and senior officials — including CEOs and those in higher executive positions — within entities falling under the authority’s jurisdiction

The co-head of Investment Banking at EFG Hermes shares the outlook for IPOs and other key investment trends across the region

EFG Hermes’ Karim Meleka sees IPO, infrastructure momentum in MENA amid reforms

The co-head of Investment Banking at EFG Hermes shares the outlook for IPOs and other key investment trends across the region

EFG Holding posts resilient Q1 '25 results despite FX impact

EFG Holding posts resilient Q1 ’25 results despite FX impact

Adjusted for foreign exchange effects, revenues grew 31 per cent YoY, underscoring strong operational momentum across its core businesses

UAE's MoIAT inks deals with banks for Dhs40bn to boost industrial growth

UAE’s MoIAT inks deals with banks for over Dhs40bn to boost industrial growth

The participating banks include First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), Emirates NBD, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB), Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB), and Wio Bank

Emirates Development Bank launches Dhs1bn growth fund to boost UAE SMEs

Emirates Development Bank launches Dhs1bn growth fund to boost UAE SMEs

By supporting high-potential SMEs in line with the UAE’s diversification agenda, EGF aims to enhance industrial capacity, stimulate job creation, and contribute to the country’s economy

Finastra to sell treasury and capital markets unit to Apax Funds

Finastra to sell treasury and capital markets unit to Apax Funds

The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2026, pending customary closing conditions and employee consultations

dirham

Dubai Holding increases Residential REIT IPO to 15% of issued unit capital

Based on revised offering size, it is seeking to raise up to Dh2.15bn ($585.45m), the company said

IPO news: United Carton Industries retail tranche oversubscribed 8.91 times

IPO news: United Carton Industries retail tranche oversubscribed 8.91 times

The final offer price was set at SAR 50 per share — the top of the previously announced price range — implying a market capitalisation of SAR2bn

Dubai Finance, DIFC sign MoU to advance cashless strategy

Dubai Finance, DIFC sign MoU to advance cashless strategy

The MoU supports innovation programmes and accelerators aimed at developing advanced, accessible, and efficient digital financial solutions

Masdar issues green bond its third issuance Image courtesy Masdar

Masdar issues $1bn green bond, brings total programme to $2.75bn

In 2024, Masdar also secured $6bn in non-recourse financing to develop more than 11 GW of clean energy capacity across 12 new projects in nine countries

China’s top investment bank CICC opens branch in Dubai’s DIFC

Chinese investment bank CICC opens branch in Dubai’s DIFC

CICC is positioning the new Dubai branch as a two-way investment banking gateway between China and the Gulf region

Building on data: How e&'s Dr Karim Bennis is powering its financial success story

Building on data: How e&’s Dr Karim Bennis is powering its financial success

e&’s group CFO shares how strategic monetisation, bold reinvestment, and financial discipline are accelerating its evolution and expansion globally

Hassana, Franklin Templeton ink $150m MoU to boost Saudi private credit market

Hassana, Franklin Templeton ink $150m MoU to boost Saudi private credit market

Hassana, which manages more than SAR1.2tn ($320bn in assets, is one of the region’s largest institutional investors

MENA region saw 14 IPOs valued at $2.1bn in Q1; Saudi leads the lot

MENA region saw 14 IPOs valued at $2.1bn in Q1; Saudi leads the lot

The pipeline for 2025 remains promising with at least 21 companies have announced intentions to go public, the report stated

Botim, Mbank partner to issue Jaywan prepaid card

Botim, Mbank partner to issue Jaywan prepaid card

The agreement enables Botim, powered by PayBy, to issue Jaywan prepaid cards directly to its users via its app

Dubai Holding sets offer price range for Dubai Residential REIT IPO Image of Bluewaters

Dubai Residential REIT sets IPO price range, eyes up to Dhs1.79bn raise

The offer price range has been set between Dhs1.07 and Dhs1.10 per unit, implying a market capitalisation of between Dhs13.9bn and Dhs14.3bn

Digital assets : A look into crypto’s institutional future

The question everyone’s asking: What does the future of digital asset custody look like?

 Embracing AI: The key to unlocking the future of banking and finance

 Embracing AI: The key to unlocking the future of banking and finance

The journey toward an AI-enabled future requires a commitment to ethical practices, robust risk management and a proactive approach to navigating the evolving regulatory landscape

IHC and BlackRock partner to launch reinsurance platform at ADGM

IHC, BlackRock, Lunate partner to launch global reinsurance platform  

The new global reinsurance platform to be headquartered in ADGM to serve global markets with focus on accelerating growth of insurance and capital markets ecosystem in Middle East and Asia 

Mubadala invests in Avanse

Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund Mubadala’s assets jump 9% in 2024

Mubadala’s deployed capital grew by 33.7 per cent in 2024 from the previous year to Dh119bn

Good news for UAE companies: Corporate tax penalties waived

The FTA clarified that this exemption applies only to the first tax period of the taxable person

ADNOC Murban issues $1.5bn sukuk in debut offering

ADNOC Murban issues $1.5bn sukuk in debut offering

The $1.5bn sukuk, issued on the International Securities Market of the London Stock Exchange, matures on May 6, 2035

DMCC launches SPV and holding company licences

DMCC launches SPV and holding company licences

New licensing categories offer greater flexibility for asset management, investment holding and regional oversight

stablecoin

Trump’s stablecoin chosen for $2bn Abu Dhabi investment in Binance

The investment deal between MGX and Binance utilised USD1, a World Liberty-issued stablecoin on the Binance blockchain

crypto

Crypto industry descends on Dubai as Trump euphoria recedes

Cryptocurrency prices surged to a record high after his election win, but have fallen this year

IMF trims 2025 Middle East, North Africa growth forecast to 2.6% as global risks mount

IMF trims 2025 MENA growth forecast to 2.6% as global risks mount

The MENA non-oil importers are now expected to see real GDP growth of 3.4 per cent in 2025, versus an earlier forecast of 3.6 per cent

Abu Dhabi's IHC, ADQ, FAB launch stablecoin image Getty Images For illustrative purposes

Abu Dhabi: IHC, ADQ, FAB launch dirham-backed stablecoin

The stablecoin is intended for use across a wide range of applications, from individual consumer payments to advanced digital use cases such as AI and machine-to-machine transactions

UAE’s FAB profit beats estimates on strong growth in non-funded income

The results come as FAB undergoes a restructuring aimed at strengthening its business in the Gulf and boosting shareholder return