DEBT-

USD 500 mn loan for FinMin greenlit by the presidency: The Finance Ministry has secured a USD 500 mn loan from Deutsche Bank and Bank ABC, according to a presidential decree. The loan is backed by the Arab Investment and Export Credit Guarantee Corporation. The loan has been in the works since 2023 — back then it was reported that it would be used to renovate classrooms, upgrade hospitals under the Decent Life initiative, and go towards the universal health ins. system.

(Tap or click the headline above to read this story with all of the links to our background as well as external sources.)

HOSPITALITY-

#1- Travco to add 5k hotel rooms: Travco Properties, the real estate arm of Egyptian travel giant Travco, plans to invest EGP 50 bn to build 5k hotel units on the North Coast over the next five years, Managing Director Omar Abdel Ghaffar told Asharq Business. Travco has already sold 1k units to Egyptian expats and a smaller number to other Arab and foreign nationals.

#2- Paragon, Boulevard partner on Marsa Alam tourism project: Egyptian real estate developer Paragon Developments inked an MoU with Boulevard for Tourism Development to set up a mixed-use tourism and hospitality project in Marsa Alam, according to a press release (pdf). The development will span 1 mn sqm, with the first phase covering 300k sqm in the Marsa Wazar-Quseir sector. The project will feature a 300-key Hilton-branded hotel resort and spa, along with a specialized diving center connected to a 100-key hotel for marine sports enthusiasts. Future phases will include serviced apartments, villas, and townhouses.

** We sat down with Bedeir Rizk, CEO of Paragon Developments, last month for our My Morning Routine column.

IPO-

2PointZero could list on the ADX this year: Abu Dhabi conglomerate International Holding Company’s investment arm 2PointZero is gearing up to go public on the ADX this year, CEO Mariam Almheiri said yesterday without providing further details.

About 2PointZero: Established last year, 2PointZero is expected to have an AED 100 bn asset base with a portfolio stacked with regional heavyweights, including Beltone Holding and Lunate.

CAPITAL MARKETS-

Al Baraka Capital is gearing up to launch three new funds in 2H 2025, starting with a fixed-income fund worth EGP 50 mn, Managing Director and CEO Sarah Hosni told Al Borsa. The company will follow up with two additional funds, one focused on shariah-compliant equities tied to the EGX33 index, and another offering a balanced investment strategy, valued at EGP 50 mn each.

RETAIL-

Frasers partners with GMG to expand Sports Direct into Egypt and the Gulf: UK retailer Frasers Group inked a ten-year partnership with GMG to open its sportswear Sports Direct stores across Egypt and the Gulf, according to a statement. The agreement aims to see Sports Direct open 50 stores over the next five years, with the first five outlets set to launch within the first year.

E-COMMERCE-

Paysky launches e-commerce platform for Ugandan market: Local digital payment platform Paysky and the fintech arm of South African telecom giant MTN are collaborating to launch a new application, Market by MoMo, to enhance the online shopping experience for Ugandan merchants and consumers, according to a statement (pdf).

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