Foreign direct investments rose 11% y-o-y to USD 1.4 tn in 2024, though figures dipped 8% when excluding European conduit economies, according to the latest Global Investment Trends Monitor (pdf) released by UN Trade and Development. Greenfield projects fell 8% y-o-y, while their value fell 7% — though still remaining only second to their 2023 peak.

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The Middle East attracted USD 70 bn in FDI last year, marking a 13% increase y-o-y, with diversification initiatives and mega-projects in renewable energy, technology, and tourism leading the way, the Khaleej Times reports. Saudi Arabia alone recorded USD 30 bn in FDI inflows, spurred by transformative projects like the USD 500 bn Neom development, but the Middle East and GCC stand out as a whole as resilient regions, driven by diversification strategies and sustainability-focused investments.

International project finance — most critical for infrastructure projects — continued a downward trend with a 26% decline in volume and a decline of about a third in terms of value. Meanwhile, cross-border M&A activity fell 13% y-o-y, though total values increased by 2%.

Expect “moderate growth” for FDI in 2025, though not without downside risks. A toxic mashup of geopolitical tensions, inflation, and shifting trade dynamics could spur uncertainty among investors and spell trouble for global FDI flows. Still, some investors — private equity funds in particular — are expected to use up a lot of their dry powder, especially on tech firms amid the ongoing AI boom.

Prospects look good for the Middle East: The GCC region is expected to see vibrant FDI growth in 2025, fueled by improved financing conditions and an increase in mergers and acquisitions, Khaleej Times quotes the report as saying.

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THE CLOSING BELL-

The EGX30 rose 0.1% at Thursday’s close on turnover of EGP 3.7 bn (3.7% below the 90-day average). International investors were the sole net buyers. The index is up 0.9% YTD.

In the green: Eastern Company (+3.6%), Juhayna (+3.0%), and Cleopatra Hospitals (+1.5%).

In the red: Oriental Weavers (-3.2%), Egypt Kuwait Holding -EGP (-1.4%), and Sidpec (-1.2%).

CORPORATE ACTIONS-

Banque Misr will increase the bank’s authorized capital to EGP 300 bn, and its issued capital to EGP 110 bn, the state-owned lender said in a statement (pdf).

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