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WHAT WE’RE TRACKING TONIGHT

Talabat acquires 100% of Instashop

Hello all you wonderful people, and happy Thursday. We have a relatively brisk issue for you to close out the work week, with all the latest on Talabat’s acquisition of Instashop, the best ads to watch this Ramadan season, and the food industry’s Machiavellian plans to develop foods that circumvent the effects of weight-loss drugs like Ozempic.

THE BIG STORY TODAY

DFM-listed Talabat acquired 100% of Dubai-based on-demand grocery delivery marketplace Instashop in a related-party transaction from its Berlin-based parent company and majority shareholder Delivery Hero as part of a restructuring push, it said in a statement (pdf). Instashop will continue to operate as an independent brand, under Talabat’s grocery and retail vertical. The sale and purchase agreement was first announced in September 2024, according to the statement.

The cash-based transaction was valued at USD 32 mn which was financed by Talabat’s internal reserves, with the amount reflecting Instashop’s capital amount rather than its fair value, the statement reads.

Good news for Talabat’s public shareholders? The purchase price is a discount from the valuation price (USD 360 mn) at which Delivery Hero bought Instashop back in 2020. This could be viewed favorably by the public shareholders of Talabat which took a 20% stake to market in USD 2 bn IPO in December 2024. It’s noteworthy that the valuation amount was paid by Delivery Hero through an initial payment of USD 270 mn, while the remaining amount was tied to Instashop’s future performance through an earnout clause.

THE BIG STORY ABROAD

The EU’s 27 national leaders are meeting in Brussels today alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to pledge support for Ukraine and plans to ramp up European defense spending, following US President Donald Trump’s suspension of military aid to Kyiv earlier this week. The meeting aims to offer political backing to several European Commission proposals unveiled earlier this week that could see EUR 800 bn mobilized for regional defense, including a EUR 150 bn fund earmarked for member-country defense borrowing.

** CATCH UP QUICK on the top stories from today’s EnterpriseAM:

  • Egypt’s inflation is expected to have cooled significantly in February, with analysts only divided over just how far the month’s annual headline urban inflation reading will fall.
  • A whole lot of Cypriot gas will be coming our way by the end of the decade: Egypt’s liquefied in facilities will start receiving 400 mn cubic feet per day (mcf/d) from Cyprus’ Cronos gas field starting mid-2027 and another 500 mcf\d of gas from the country’s Aphrodite field by 2030.
  • Al Ismaelia targets USD 100 mn in fresh funding:Ismailia for Real Estate Investment is looking to boost its EGP 385 mn capital by USD 50-100 mn through a regional funding round in 2H 2025.

☀️ TOMORROW’S WEATHER- Things are starting to warm up in the capital, with tomorrow’s mercury set to rise to 23°C before dipping to a chilly low of 13°C at night, according to our favorite weather app.

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FOR YOUR COMMUTE

The food industry’s not going down without a fight

💊 Food manufacturers are experimenting with formulas that will circumvent the effects of Ozempic and other appetite suppressants. The rise of GLP-1 drugs — originally used to treat type 2 diabetes — are now being used commercially to curb appetites, cut cravings, and push towards simpler meals, leading to weight loss in consumers. Their viral popularity means that more and more people are losing interest in junk food, creating a major shift in the food industry.

Where’d all the snackers go? For decades, Big Food has been designing products that would keep people snacking, reports the New York Times. But now — with 7 mn people already on GLP-1s in America (24 mn predicted by 2035), the demand for these goods is taking a hit. Walmart’s CEO mentioned a drop in sales for baked goods and snacks with customers on GLP-1s generally adding less food into their carts.

Now, companies are looking for ways to maintain their grip on consumer appetites by experimenting with formulas that undercut the effects of GLP-1s. Instead of focusing on promoting large meals, Big Food is focusing on making snacks more addictive, banking on the idea that if people eat less overall, they may still consume small portions throughout the day. Other companies are exploring new ingredient combinations to enhance cravings despite lower hunger levels.

Could it work? Nicole Avena, a professor of neuroscience at Mount Sinai, believes that Big Food has the power to engineer compounds that would reduce the effect of GLP-1 drugs by making foods seem more rewarding, causing consumers to crave them then eat them regardless of the appetite suppressing drug.

You’re being a little dramatic. Lars Fruergaard Jorgensen, CEO of Novo Nordisk — the makers of Ozempic and Wegovy — told Bloomberg that he believed the industrial reaction to reduced appetites were “a bit hyped.” He explained that they were only just scratching the surface in terms of how many people could be treated, and that the scaling takes time. He encouraged food companies to follow the trend, highlighting that “change brings opportunity.”

But they’re not giving up without a fight. Rather than embracing the trend, companies are reformulating products and shifting marketing strategies all to ensure that consumers keep eating — whether they’re on the drug or not.

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ON THE TUBE TONIGHT

Family is forever… So is the search for a good housekeeper

📺 Ashghal Shaqa Gedan is another round of funny takes on family life. This season, Hamdy (Hesham Maged) and Yasmine (Asmaa Galal) are juggling four kids, demanding careers, and — still — the never-ending search for a reliable housekeeper. It’s just as stressful as it sounds, but it’s never been funnier to watch.

The show picks up with Hamdy and Yasmine navigating parenthood, with the sleepless nights that don’t end, and the responsibilities that only keep multiplying. Hamdy struggles to keep up at work while Yasmine makes the bold decision to return to the professional world. Their differences lead to some of the funniest moments, especially with their meddling mothers-in-law. Meanwhile, the housekeeper dilemma that carries over from last year’s installment remains a hilarious (and painfully relatable) subplot.

What continues making it a fan favourite: Its ability to craft humor that serves the plot rather than relying on random, disconnected or on-trend jokes make it a hit. Of course, much of the show’s charm still rests on Maged and Galal’s effortless chemistry. Maged’s deadpan delivery makes Hamdy’s frustration hilarious, while Galal’s sharp timing keeps the chaos in check. And even though he might be a supporting act, the highlight remains Moustafa Gharieb, whose humor and screen presence light up every scene he’s in, making even the most normal moments wildly entertaining.

Verdict: If season one was about adjusting to marriage and its accompaniments, season two proves that surviving it is an entirely different challenge. If you missed out on the first season, here's a little recap to get the gist of things.

WHERE TO WATCH- You can watch the second season on Shahid, or catch the trailer on YouTube (runtime: 2:15).

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Sports

Europa League Round of 16 + Egypt Cup and Premier League on the weekend

The first-leg Round of 16 matches for the UEFA Europa League and the Europa Conference group stage kick off today. Here are the most exciting matches:

  • Real Sociedad vs. Manchester United – Europa League (7:45pm)
  • AZ Alkmaar vs. Tottenham Hotspur – Europa League (7:45pm)
  • Fenerbahçe vs. Rangers – Europa League (7:45pm)
  • Copenhagen vs. Chelsea – Europa Conference League (7:45pm)
  • Roma vs. Athletic Bilbao – Europa League (10:00pm)
  • Ajax vs. Eintracht Frankfurt – Europa League (10:00pm)
  • Viktoria Plzeň vs. Lazio – Europa League (10:00pm)

The Egypt Cup Round of 16 will continue on Friday and Saturday with four matches kicking off at 9:30pm. The most prominent matches include El Zamalek against Modern Future on Friday, and Pyramids — currently in the lead — against Al Mokawloon Al Arab on Saturday. The other matches are The National Bank against Al Masry on Friday and Ghazl El Mahalla against Pharco on Saturday.

All eyes on Super Saturday: Matchweek 28 of the Premier League begins on Saturday with six matches, starting with Nottingham Forest against Manchester City at 2:30pm.

League leaders Liverpool will host last-placed Southampton at 5pm. Fresh off their Champions League victory against PSG, the Reds aim to maintain their place at the top of the Premier League — where they currently stand with 67 points.

Other matches on Saturday:

  • Crystal Palace vs. Ipswich Town (5:00pm)
  • Brighton vs. Fulham (5:00pm)
  • Brentford vs. Aston Villa (7:30pm)
  • Wolves vs. Everton (10:00pm)

Barcelona hosts Osasuna in La Liga’s 27th round on Saturday at 10pm. The Blaugrana lead the table, standing one point ahead of Atlético Madrid and three ahead of Real Madrid. They aim to secure a strong victory and avenge their previous 2-4 defeat.

Top matches across Europe this Saturday:

  • Borussia Dortmund vs. Augsburg – Bundesliga (4:30pm)
  • Bayer Leverkusen vs. Werder Bremen – Bundesliga (4:30pm)
  • Bayern Munich vs. Bochum – Bundesliga (4:30pm)
  • Deportivo Alavés vs. Villarreal – La Liga (5:15pm)
  • Rennes vs. Paris Saint-Germain – Ligue 1 (6:00pm)
  • Lecce vs. AC Milan – Serie A (7:00pm)
  • Valencia vs. Real Valladolid – La Liga (7:30]pm)
  • Inter Milan vs. Monza – Serie A (9:45pm)

This publication is proudly sponsored by

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OUT AND ABOUT

Layalina, take two

MARK YOUR CALENDAR-

🎪 Layalina’s day two has more in store. Massar Egbari will be performing in Layalina’s Ramadan tents for the second day at El Baron Palace tonight at 10pm. You can grab tickets for the event on Ticketsmarche.

HAPPENING THIS WEEK-

Another night to remember with Layalina. Hala Rushdy and Mohamed Adaweyah will be performing at the Baron and Pyramids tents tomorrow at 10pm. You can grab tickets to see Hala Rushdy at El Baron Palace and Mohamed Adaweyah at the Pyramids from Ticketsmarche.

El Leila El Kebira is offering you good food and good music with Saad Al Oud, taking place in Sheikh Zayed tomorrow at 10:30pm. You can find tickets on Passport.

Give back this Ramadan: This Ramadan Majarrah’s Community and Lebaladna are organizing a packing event to give out 2k Ramadan Boxes for those in need today and Saturday, 8 March, from 11am to 4pm. Fill out the form in their Instagram bio to join the packing.

The Hekayatna Helwa Ramadan tent is bringing in some comedy segments. Egyptian comedian Mohamed Helmy is set to take the stage on Saturday, 8 March at Hyde Out New Cairo. You can find tickets on Ticketsmarche.

Suhoor to the tune of Massar Egbari’s classics. The Hekayatna Helwa Ramadan tent is back this year starting tomorrow from 10pm to offer you delicious meals prepared by Ashraf Abdilbakyi’s Tante restaurant at Hyde Out in New Cairo. You can find tickets every night until Wednesday, 12 March on Ticketsmarche.

Fasting all day? Now it’s time to feast… on laughter. WKND CMDY is hosting a Ramadan Onstage event, serving up a night of sharp jokes and big laughs at Rawabet Art Space on Saturday, 8 March, at 10pm. Catch Kamatcho, Jimmy, Ahmed Hassan, Hamza Bahaa, and Amgad Elshawshy live for a post-iftar comedy fix. Book your tickets through TicketsMarche.

HAPPENING LATER-

El-Hadra ensemble hosts a Sufi Night at the Cairo Opera House. As part of the Ramadan Nights program, El-Hadra Sufi ensemble will present an evening of spiritual chants and dhikr in the Open Air Theatre at Cairo Opera House on Monday, 10 March from 9:30pm. Get your tickets on Tazkarti.

Ramadan Nights continue at the Opera. Wael El Fashny and his band will take the stage with Arabic melodies in the Small Hall at Cairo Opera House on Tuesday, 11 March from 9:30pm. Tickets are available on Tazkarti.

Unwind under the Ramadan night sky with a brush in one hand and a paddle in the other. The special Ramadan edition of Pottery Painting & Kayaking is happening on Thursday, 13 March, and Thursday, 20 March, at 9pm at Mountain View Hyde Park. Book your spot through their page on Instagram.

Amidst the Ramadan celebrations, don't forget to celebrate Mother’s Day. Make Mother’s Day special this year with a special night of music by Tablet El Sitt at Theatro Arkan on Friday, 21 March from 9pm. Tickets are available on Ticketsmarche.

Spend a Ramadan night with Medhat Saleh on the Cairo Opera House Main Stage. The concert will take place on Friday, 21 March at 9:30pm. Tickets are available on Tazkarti.

Tamer Ashour on the ZED stage. Get ready to see Tamer Ashour on the bigstage at ZED Park in Sheikh Zayed City on Friday, 25 April starting at 8pm. Tickets are available on Tazkarti.

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GO WITH THE FLOW

What the markets are doing on 6 March 2025

The EGX30 rose 0.3% at today’s close on turnover of EGP 3.1 bn (12.1% below the 90-day average). Local investors were the sole net buyers. The index is up 4.1% YTD.

In the green: Emaar Misr (+5.7%), EFG Holding (+3.9%) and Credit Agricole (+1.7%).

In the red: Orascom Development (-1.9%), Rameda Pharma (-1.9%) and E-finance (-1.6%).

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LIFESTYLE

The best Ramadan ads of 2025

The holy month of Ramadan is a time for togetherness, reflection, and generosity — and for brands, a chance to connect with audiences on a deeper level. Each year, companies across different industries craft commercials that blend emotion, nostalgia, humor, and social responsibility, vying for icon status, and becoming a topic of conversation around iftar tables and social media alike.

Whether it’s the warmth of family gatherings, the nostalgia of childhood memories, or the joy of giving back, relatability is crucial — the most memorable ads reflect cultural authenticity. They spark discussions online through catchy jingles, classic Egyptian sense of humor, or powerful social messages that linger in people’s hearts.

MEANINGFUL ADS: These commercials transcend marketing to inspire, spread positivity, and reinforce social values. These ads resonate deeply with audiences and encourage positive change and community ties.

#1- VODAFONE: Vodafone's ad (watch, runtime: 2:52) serves as a refreshing reminder to embrace life’s spontaneous moments. With its simple yet powerful message “Let’s Live,” the commercial captures everyday people caught up in their routines — until a Vodafone notification encourages them to break free. A private tutor surprises his students with an ice cream outing, a father makes the bold decision to purchase a motorcycle, and movie theatre employees turn their cleanup shift into a private screening.

The star power: Mohamed Salah and Nancy Ajram both appear with their daughters, symbolizing the joy found in life’s little moments and sharing them with the ones you love.

#2- NBE: The National Bank of Egypt delivers 2025’s most nostalgic and culturally rich commercial (watch, runtime: 3:02), celebrating Egyptian heritage. Despite their different musical styles, Wegz and Hamaki come together to deliver a seamless performance, bridging generations through music and culture. The ad features AI-generated visuals that bring Egypt’s legacy to life, with icons like Souad Hosny and Mohamed Abdelwahab appearing alongside pharaonic sites — a celebration of the country’s artistic and historical achievements.

EMOTIONAL ADS: These commercials tug at the heartstrings through powerful storytelling, capturing the essence of Ramadan and reminding the audience of what truly matters.

#1- ORANGE: The power of showing up for the ones you love takes center stage. The emotional journey (watch, runtime: 3:26) begins with Ahmed Daoud and Salwa Mohamed Ali as son and mother. When Daoud is unable to make it to the iftar due to work, disappointing his mother, instead of letting go, he makes efforts and sacrifices to attend. Throughout the ad, we witness various relationships — family, friendship, and romance — each showcasing vulnerability, effort, and reconciliation. Whether it’s making the first move, being the bigger person, or simply showing that they care, the ad highlights the importance of investing in relationships with those who matter most.

#2- WE: Togetherness shines through in this commercial (watch, runtime: 2:29) starring Tamer Hosny, who also provides the vocals for their song. Beginning with a wedding full of family and friends, the ad takes viewers through heartfelt moments — a father celebrating his daughter’s success , grandparents meeting their grandchild for the first time, friends supporting each other professionally, and Hosny attending a child’s birthday party. Each scene underscores the importance of having loved ones present during life’s most significant milestones.

#3- ELARABY: This heartfelt tribute (watch, runtime: 1:37) celebrates mothers’ constant and unwavering love and support, especially during Ramadan. Perfectly timed for Mother’s Day, the ad merges both celebrations, highlighting the vital role mothers play in making Ramadan special — hosting, nurturing, feeding, and bringing joy to every gathering. It features beloved social media personalities like Ali Sakhr, Fatima Badawy, Aly Osman, Alicia Iannacone, and Farah Haridy, who sing about their appreciation for their mothers.

FUN ADS: Not all Ramadan commercials are serious — some bring much-needed humor to the season through witty storytelling, clever references, or unique characters.

#1- B LABAN: The popular dessert shop brings whimsy and comedy with El Halawlawany (watch,runtime: 1:05). Comedian Mohamed Tharwat introduces a mystical dessert maestro who magically transforms everything he touches into desserts. With witty dialogue, playful exaggerations, and clever wordplay about the popular dessert sawabe‘ Zeinab, the ad unveils B Laban’s latest creation, the Ramadan Book, which features four new desserts.

But they didn’t stop there. In a bonus commercial (watch, runtime: 1:26), Akram Hosny stars in a mock press conference where the brand “apologizes” to fans for their exceptionally good products. Surprisingly, the ad cleverly omits showcasing any desserts at all, relying on relatability and humor to wink at their popularity.

#2- WADI DEGLA DEVELOPMENTS: This hilarious yet heartwarming take on friendship (watch, runtime: 2:03) stars the ever-charismatic Maged El Kedwany as he goes to extreme lengths to celebrate his friend Emad’s birthday — despite Emad’s constant attempts to avoid the fuss. Kedwany’s relentless enthusiasm is pure comedy, making it impossible for viewers not to laugh along. Just when viewers think Emad has had enough, we see that their friendship is mutually appreciated. The ad ends on a high note, and a special performance by Mahmoud El Esseily.

#3- LIPTON: Lipton transforms a simple concept into a comedic situation by playing on the idea that preparing Lipton tea inadvertently invites a gathering (watch, runtime: 0:44). Each scene follows the same pattern: someone casually making a cup of tea, only to turn around and find a crowd suddenly assembled behind them. The deadpan delivery drives the humor home while cleverly embodying Ramadan’s spirit of togetherness and shared moments.


MARCH

6-8 March (Thursday-Saturday): Ramadan packing at Majarrah.

7 March (Friday): Hala Rushdy and Mohamed Adaweyah at Layalina Ramadan Tent.

8 March (Saturday): Saad Al Oud at El Leila El Kebeera Ramadan Tent.

10 March (Monday): Sufi Night at Cairo Opera House.

11 March (Tuesday): Wael El Fashny at Cairo Opera House.

21 March (Friday): Mother’s Day

21 March (Friday): Tablet El Sitt at Theatro Arkan.

21 March (Friday): Medhat Saleh at the Cairo Opera House.

APRIL

1 April (Tuesday): Annual Flower Exhibition at the Agricultural Museum.

2 April (Wednesday): Cairokee at CUBIX, El Gouna.

25 April (Friday): Tamer Ashour concert at ZED Park, Sheikh Zayed.

MAY

21-31 May (Wednesday-Saturday): Disney On Ice at Cairo International Stadium

30 May (Friday): Adam Port at the New Administrative Capital’s Green River.

OCTOBER

16-24 October (Thursday-Friday): Gouna Film Festival.

30 October - 22 November (Thursday-Saturday): Forever is Now at the Great Pyramids of Giza.

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