Good morning, friends. In addition to United Bank officially arriving on the EGX, Apple Pay is also making its debut, with the service beginning to be rolled out by private and public banks alike. Today is a day of firsts, but also of important M&A news, infrastructure updates, encouraging inflation data, and much more.

BUT FIRST, you may rejoice: Apple Pay has come to Egypt. The service has rolled out to many cards from several issuing banks. Others are expected to launch support for Apple Pay in the coming days and weeks.

Want to add your card? Some banks’ mobile apps will prompt you to add a card the next time you log in. (Make sure you have the latest version of the app installed.) Don’t sweat it if you’re not prompted or you dismissed the prompt without acting — adding your card is easy:

  • Open the “Wallet” app
  • Tap the “+” symbol at the top right
  • Choose “Debit or Credit Card”
  • Tap “Continue”
  • Add your card by scanning it or tapping “Enter Card Details Manually”
  • Accept the terms and conditions
  • Wait for an OTP verification via SMS

And then you should be good to go. We’ve successfully added both credit cards and debit cards without issue.

Want to pay for your coffee this morning by Apple Pay? Just double-click the power button and put your phone up to the POS machine.

Apple Pay and eSIMs in less than a week? Kinda feels like we’re starting to catch up on a decade of technological progress… (Apple Pay launched in October 2014, for those of you keeping track at home.)

MEANWHILE- United Media Services, the state-owned media giant, has entered analliance with our friends at Tarek Nour Communications (TNC), with Tarek Nour stepping in as chairman. Television broadcaster El Mehwar is also part of the restructuring. The alliance said in a statement yesterday that it aims to “develop a forward-looking strategy to improve the media industry.”

Others from the private sector are joining Tarek on UMS’ board, including our friends Sherif El-Kholy from Actis (who EnterpriseAM readers will know from his frequent appearances on our stage and in our pages) as well as TNC co-CEO Ahmed Tarek. Also joining the newly reconstituted board: Saif El Wazery, Mohamed El Saadi, Tamer Morsi, Amr El Feky, and Amro Al Khayyat.

Private-sector in the driver’s seat? We’re still reporting this one out and expect to have more to say soon, but color us interested (and hopeful for reasons to be optimistic). Private-sector involvement in UMS has the potentially to be a fundamentally good thing. Tarek Nour invented the modern Egyptian advertising market, and TNC has proven adept over the years at managing multiple forms of industry and technology shifts in advertising, communications, broadcast, and TV production. Stay tuned.

WEATHER- The sun is out in Cairo today, with a high of 22°C and a low of 13°C, according to our favorite weather app.

It’s overcast and a tad warmer in Alexandria, with a high of 23°C and a low of 11°C.

Like yesterday, heavy fog is forecast for nearly the whole country, so take care on the roads.

** DID YOU KNOW that we now cover Saudi Arabia and the UAE?

** Were you forwarded this email? Tap or click here to get your own copy delivered every weekday before 7am Cairo time — without charge.

WATCH THIS SPACE-

Egypt’s largest solar power plant will officially open this Saturday, with Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly and other officials set to head south to the 560 MW Abydos plant in Kom Ombo for an opening ceremony, Al Mal reports, citing unnamed Electricity Ministry officials. The project built by AMEA Power is already feeding the national grid from at least October, according to unconfirmed reports, and will supply power to 256k homes under a 25-year offtake agreement with the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company.

Remember: The government wants to see 3-4 GW-worth of renewable energy projects go live and start feeding the national grid by next summer to fill the energy supply gap. This push is part of a broader plan to secure the country's energy needs amid declining natural gas production and expanding electricity interconnection projects to enable exports to surrounding countries. Egypt plans to source 42% of its energy from renewables by 2030.

HAPPENING TOMORROW-

Attention, handicraft fans: The annual MSMEDA-organized Turathna kicks off tomorrow at the Egypt International Exhibition Center, running until 21 December, according to a statement from the agency. The exhibition is set to host 1k+ exhibitors representing crafts and heritage arts from across the country.

CIRCLE YOUR CALENDAR-

The Egypt Economic Summit will take place on 14 January, bringing together “key ministries, government leaders, and top business minds” to discuss Egypt’s position and role in the global economy, according to an announcement from the summit. The event — which will be held under the theme Redefining Economic Excellence: A Bold Vision for Egypt’s Growth — will also focus on local efforts to achieve sustainable development, long-term growth, and global competitiveness.

Check out our full calendar on the web for a comprehensive listing of upcoming news events, national holidays and news triggers.

THE BIG STORY ABROAD-

Syria is once again front and center in the news this morning, with Israeli airstrikes and incursions into the country continuing to pick up after the collapse of the Assad regime earlier this week. In just the last 48 hours, Israel conducted over 350 airstrikes that hit weapons stores, missile stores, fighter jets, navy vessels, and sites it claims could be holding chemical weapons. While over in the southwest of the country, Israel also expanded its already illegal occupation of the Golan Heights to create in confunction with its airstrikes what it terms a “sterile defence zone.” (Financial Times | Bloomberg | Reuters | Associated Press | New York Times | Guardian)

The country’s delicate political transition is also getting close attention from the world’s press, with Mohammed Al Bashir appointed as interim prime minister to lead the caretaker government until 1 March. The relatively unknown figure outside Idlib — where headed a comparatively miniscule rebel-held administration — now has a monumental task ahead of him as he tries to navigate the complexities of a post-Assad Syria. (Reuters | Guardian)

While over in the US, President-elect Donald Trump is doubling down on deregulation with a pledge to fast-track permits for investors committing USD 1 bn or more to US projects. While some hail it as a boon for large-scale infrastructure and manufacturing, critics argue it sidelines smaller projects and risks undermining environmental protections. (Financial Times)

*** It’s Hardhat day — your weekly briefing of all things infrastructure in Egypt: Enterprise’s industry vertical focuses each Wednesday on infrastructure, covering everything from energy, water, transportation, and urban development, as well as social infrastructure such as health and education.

In today’s issue: We dive into Egypt’s National Smart Cities Strategy and how it can change how we go about urban development.

Tags: