MANUFACTURING-

#1- Japan Tobacco International (JTI) plans to invest up to EUR 5 mn to add a new cigarette production line in 1Q 2026 as part of its expansion strategy, General Manager Mariana Salib told Asharq Business. The company is negotiating with the General Authority for Investment and Freezones to acquire land adjacent to the Nakhla Tobacco Company to expand production for export.

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#2- The Arab Organization for Industrialization (AOI) signed an MoU with China’s Norinco to manufacture defense systems, aiming to localize technology and expand local production capabilities, according to a statement.

EXPANSION

Agricultural commodities outfit Cairo 3A is heading into the Iraqi market after signing an MoU with IVI Holding Limited to develop an integrated poultry project in Baghdad — marking the start of what both sides describe as a long-term strategic partnership, according to a statement seen by EnterpriseAM. The first phase will see USD 160 mn invested over five years to build out the full poultry value chain, from feed and broiler production to processing, with the aim of boosting food security, creating jobs, and supplying high-quality products to the local market.

FINTECH-

Cairo-born investment platform Thndr has obtained asset-management and portfolio-management licenses from the Financial Regulatory Authority, which the company says will clear the way for it to design and directly manage its own retail investment products rather than rely solely on institutional managers, the company said in a statement (pdf).

What's next? With the new licenses in hand, Thndr will begin rolling out its own line of low-cost, digitally managed funds starting 2026 — built specifically for retail users seeking simple, goal-based investment tools.

REAL ESTATE-

Madinet Masr tapped Group Construction to build EGP 1.2 bn worth of homes in its Sarai mixed-use project in East Cairo, the developer said in a statement (pdf). Group Construction will build 80 residential buildings in Sarai’s Rai Views project, with work slated for completion by the end of 2027.

ENERGY-

Ireland’s Azorom will determine the cost of power exchanged under the Egypt–Saudi Arabia electricity interconnection project, after being selected for the talk by the Electricity Ministry, Asharq Business reports, citing an unnamed official. The study is expected to take about six months, with results to be reviewed by both countries before finalizing the pricing. The official agreement with Azorom is set to be signed before the end of December.

AVIATION-

The Arab Organization for Industrialization signed seven agreements with Abu Dhabi Aviation Group and its subsidiaries, according to a statement. The agreements cover joint manufacturing in the aviation sector, industrial and marketing integration, as well as technical, logistical, and maintenance services.

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