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Overwhelmed

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WHAT WE’RE TRACKING TONIGHT

Valu starts trading

Good afternoon, everyone, and congratulations on making it halfway through a shorter-than-usual work week. While the regional and international news cycles remain focused on the latest developments between Iran and Israel, at home, we’re celebrating Valu’s trading debut on the EGX.

THE BIG STORY TODAY-

#1- Valu shares are now being publicly traded on the EGX: U Consumer Finance — which owns and operates the Valu brand — rang the opening bell on the EGX this morning, after listing its shares on the bourse late last month. The stock jumped the maximum 852.4% intraday, before closing up 852.4% to EGP 7.4 with no circuit breakers in place. Valu shares began trading at a reference price of EGP 0.777 under the ticker VALU.CA.

ICYMI- The long-awaited debut is a bellwether for Egypt’s capital markets, showcasing a newpath to public ownership outside traditional IPOs. EFG Holding — Valu’s corporate parent — distributed roughly 20.5% of Valu’s shares to its own shareholders as an in-kind dividend. Valu’s debut valuation stood at EGP 15.6 bn (USD 310 mn), implying a total windfall of c.EGP 3.2 bn for EFG shareholders. EFG Holding tapped its own coffers for EGP 335 mn to fund the distribution, according to a press release (pdf).

What they said: “Valu’s listing on the Egyptian Exchange is a proud and defining milestone for EFG Holding. It reflects the culmination of years of strategic investment, innovation, and unwavering belief in the power of financial technology to transform lives,” EFG Holding Group CEO Karim Awad said.


#2- Remittances from Egyptians abroad continued to rise on an annual basis in April, increasing 39% y-o-y to around USD 3 bn, according to a statement (pdf) from the Central Bank of Egypt. This marks fourteen consecutive months of y-o-y remittance growth.

Remittances also soared to new heights in the first ten months of the current fiscal year, with Egyptians abroad sending in some USD 29.4 bn during the period, up 77.1% on an annual basis.


[wwtt4] Sahel – what was once Egypt's summer escape has become an economic hub, social ecosystem, and regional travel hotspot. And we’re going to help you decode its rapid evolution with EnterpriseAM Destination Sahel.

In a special four-part summer series we’re taking the insights you’ve come to expect of us seaside. Think everything from Ras El Hekma's impact and investment opportunities to exclusive interviews with key players. And it wouldn’t be Sahel season without a sprinkling of what’s shaking up socially.

Expect us in your inbox tomorrow.

See you, Sahel-side.


THE BIG STORY ABROAD-

No end in sight to the Israel-Iran war: Tensions are on the rise as Iran vowed retaliation and continued launching missile attacks on Israel in response to earlier US strikes on its nuclear sites. Meanwhile, Israel has continued targeting Iranian military infrastructure, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledging to proceed with operations in both Iran and Gaza.

What are Trump’s plans for Iran? US President Donald Trump floated the idea of a regime change in Iran, saying “If the current Iranian regime is unable to make Iran great again, why wouldn’t there be a regime change?” (Bloomberg | Reuters | CNN | AP | New York Times | The Guardian)

☀ TOMORROW’S WEATHER- Cairo is in for a sunny day tomorrow, with the mercury set to peak at 35°C throughout the day before cooling down to 20°C at night. Cooler weather is expected across the North Coast, with temperatures peaking at 26°C before dropping to 23°C at night, according to our favorite weather app.

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FOR YOUR COMMUTE

How much news is too much news?

Too many notifications. A growing number of smartphone users have reported feeling overwhelmed by mobile notifications — particularly ones from news aggregators and publishers, according to the Reuters Institute Digital News Report 2025 (pdf).

Is no news good news? Some 79% of Reuters’ survey respondents said they do not receive any news alerts, with 43% noting that they have actively disabled them due to sheer quantity and perceived usefulness, according to the report. A number of respondents said their decision was based on the emotionally distressing nature of the news alerts received, with others claiming their frustrations were with certain publishers promoting clickbait headlines.

How many notifications are we talking about? The report found that many publishers have become cautious about the quantity of push notifications sent out, with most enforcing strict limits in fear that users may unsubscribe or uninstall their apps. Not all publishers have displayed the same control, however. BBC news was found to push an average of 8.3 notifications a day, New York Times 10, India’s NDTV 29.1, with Israel’s Jerusalem Post pushing a staggeringly high average of 38.7 notifications a day.

The battle for lockscreen real estate. Television and print media have both “declined substantially” as primary news sources for most audiences, replaced by online and social media, according to the report. Yet this means the battle has now moved to users’ lockscreens — and publishers aren’t quite sure what to do. Reign in the notifications and risk losing your audience? Or double down and risk them unsubscribing? There might be a middle ground.

The report recommends tailoring custom notifications for each user, citing The Financial Times’ personalized notification system that users can opt for based on their interests. “Moving away from using push alerts as a blunt instrument and providing more personal choice and control could yet help publishers sustainably grow engagement on their critical mobile platforms,” the report reads.

If traditional news outlets are dipping, and netizens are silencing their notifications, where are people getting news? In the UK, online media still reigns supreme. In Australia and Brazil, podcasts have become a primary news source, and in Denmark, Facebook proves the primary social media platform for news. In France, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube are the most popular sources, driven by the younger generations — a pattern shared across most of the countries spotlighted in the study.

A sign of things to come. In India,18% of individuals surveyed said that AI chatbots were amongst their primary news sources. As search engines and other online platforms integrate real-time news, AI chatbots are increasingly becoming more popular as a primary on-demand source. While the percentage of users opting for an AI-first news search remains relatively low at 7% weekly, the number is much higher — at 15% — among individuals under the age of 25. Reuters, however, notes that the majority of audiences remain skeptical of news provided by AI chatbots.

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Ears to the Ground

A psychiatrist’s musings

👂A psychiatrist’s musings on self, society, and — sometimes — philosophy. Since its launch in November 2020, “ Kanabet Al Sabt ” has allowed Saudi psychiatrist Afnan Al Ghamdi to build a considerable audience across the region. The podcast seeks to enrich its listeners with a slew of psychological and social topics.

The podcast is diverse, with its episodes tackling everything from attachment and loss, all the way to adaptation and healing through writing. Al Ghamdi expertly deconstructs complex psychological concepts, and delves deep into our shared human experience through a psychiatric lens. The host also makes it a point to calmly right a few wrongs, correcting common misconceptions in mental health — such as passion, parenting, and more.

Cinematic psychoanalysis. Recent episodes have begun featuring famous cinematic works — dissecting them through Al Ghamdi’s lens. Through an analysis of the 2014 drama “Whiplash”, she discusses the pursuit of perfectionism, what happens when passion turns into obsession, and what respecting other people’s boundaries entails.

On childhood trauma. In one particular episode, Al Ghamdi dissects the traumas we carry from our childhoods. Split in two sections, the first addresses parents and offers guidance on how to properly communicate with their children, detailing what constitutes verbal, psychological and physical abuse, and how their effects may be realized. The second part of the episode addresses adults suffering from childhood trauma, telling them how to recognize the symptoms, and seek professional help.

Kanabet Al Sabt invites self-reflection. Al Ghamdi’s psychiatric background offers a professional perspective to myriad concepts that have long been misunderstood. If self help is your cup of tea, this podcast will prove to be a worthy digital companion.

WHERE TO LISTEN- You can listen to Kanabet Al Sabt on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Anghami | Deezer | Amazon Music | YouTube | YouTube Music.

This publication is proudly sponsored by

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Sports

Al Ahly’s last chance

âšœ Catching up with the Club World Cup. Spain’s Real Madrid secured victory over Mexico’s Pachuca, getting one step closer to qualification. The second Group H match saw Saudi’s Al Hilal FC and Austria’s Salzburg leave the field with a scoreless draw, leaving Al Hilal with a chance to qualify for the next round in the final matchday.

Group G’s Manchester City and Juventus secure qualification. Italy’s Juventus beat Morocco's Wydad 4-1 and Manchester City squashed UAE’s Al Ain 6-0.


Al Ahly’s last chance. The Egyptian club will go head to head with Portugal’s Porto at 4am at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Al Ahly’s first match ended in a scoreless draw and lost its second match with zero goals to show. Al Ahly is currently at the bottom of Group A standing with one point, tied with Porto in third place on goal difference.

Unless Al Ahly wins, it’s over. A draw or a loss means official elimination for Al Ahly, whereas a draw between the US Inter Miami and Brazilian Palmeiras — set to face off at 4am at the Hard Rock Stadium in Florida — means both Al Ahly and Porto would be eliminated, leaving Inter Miami and Palmeiras to qualify.

Also happening today: Spain’s AtlĂ©tico Madrid faces Brazil’s Botafogo at 10pm at the Rose Bowl stadium in California. AtlĂ©tico is currently in third place in Group B with three points, level with PSG — who is in second place on goal difference. Botafogo is currently in the lead with six points. PSG and the Seattle Sounders will also face off at 10pm at the Lumen Field Stadium in Seattle, Washington.

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OUT AND ABOUT

Cairokee lights up Cairo International Stadium

MARK YOUR CALENDAR-

đŸŽ€The Cairokee Empire rises once more, this time at the Cairo International Stadium. On Saturday, 28 June, the band promises over a decade’s worth of iconic music at the largest venue in Africa. You can grab your tickets through Tazkarti.

HAPPENING THIS WEEK-

Alexa, play “Shake Your Groove Thing.” On Tuesday, 24 June, Cairo-based dancer and actress Badra will be performing at The Grand Theatre in New Cairo. You can secure your spot by contacting The Grand Theatre through its official Instagram account.

The ‘90s are calling, and on Friday, 27 June, we’re picking up. Egyptian band Cassette ‘90s will be performing live at Zamalek’s El-Sawy Culturewheel, and you best believe they’ll be doubling down on nostalgia. This motley crew of ‘90s aficionados knows how to keep an audience on their feet, so if a trip a few decades back sounds like a fun time, secure your spot through El-Sawy Culturewheel’s website.

Spending the weekend in Cairo? How does an afternoon of kayaking and painting sound? On Friday, 27 June, Boards and Boats is hosting a Kayak and Paint workshop in collaboration with Artsy Egypt at Mountain View Hyde Park. Reach out to Boards and Boats through Instagram to secure your spot.

If you play your cards right, you might just walk home victorious. On Friday, 27 June, Maadi’s Darb 15 will be hosting quite the competitive game night in collaboration with game gurus Playful Batta. Ready for battle? You can secure your spot through the link in Darb 15’s Instagram bio.

HAPPENING LATER-

Lose yourself in the last of Beethoven’s symphonies at the Cairo Opera House. On Saturday, 28 June, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 will reverberate throughout the Main Hall as Maestro Ahmed El Saedi guides his orchestra through the most influential of symphonic works. Tickets can be purchased through Tazkarti.

Egyptian rock band “Medic” is celebrating its 20th anniversary at Downtown Cairo’s Rawabet Art Space on Saturday, 28 June. Founded in 2005, the progressive rock and metal band has been causing a ruckus — the good kind — all over the country — and for their 20th anniversary show, they’re going all out. Tickets can be purchased through TicketsmarchĂ©.

Calling on all directioners: Egyptian One Direction tribute band 1D Rewind will be taking us back to the good old days when the band was still together at El Sawy Culturewheel on Sunday, 29 June. Feel like reliving some midnight memories? Secure your spot through El Sawy Culturewheel’s website.

In the mood for a chaotic comedy night? On Tuesday, 1 July, stand-up comedy group TheGoats will be taking over Cairo Jazz Club 610. Mohamed Moula, Mohamed Halim, Marwan Fares, and Marwan El Moslemany will be dishing out unfiltered jokes, with DJ Andy Cheiko bringing the beat. You can secure your spot through CJC 610’s website.

Freshen up your linen shirts and pack up your shades, because Egyptian megastar Amr Diab will be kicking off Sahel season at Sol Beach Marassi on Friday, 4 July. Joining the Hadaba will be German electronic dance music producer and singer Monolink, and Copenhagen-based experimental pop trio WhoMadeWho. You can grab your tickets from TicketsmarchĂ©. Just don’t forget your sunblock.

Need a dash of folklore in your life? Reconnect with your Egyptian roots at Theatro Arkan on Thursday, 10 July, as the all-Egyptian, all-women band Tablet el Sitt take the stage. Tickets are available through Ticketsmarché.

Ready to face a quadruple threat? On Friday, 11 July at Marina’s Roman Theatre, iconicpop stars Mohamed Fouad, Ehab Tawfik, Hamid El Shaeri, and Hesham Abbas will be bringing the heat to the North Coast as part of the Tiatro Romano Summer 2025 Festival. Oh, you’re humming 2000s hits already? Head to Ticketsmarchù to secure your spot.

Did that trip to Ibiza not make it out of the group chat? Well, you’re in luck. ParadiseIbiza — one of the Mediterranean island’s most celebrated party series — is marching to the beat of its own EDM drum all the way to the North Coast’s Solare in Ras El Hekma on Friday, 11 July. The line up includes Welsh DJ Jamie Jones (the brains behind Paradise), US DJ Seth Troxler, UK’s East End Dubs, Danish-Filipino Manda Moor, and Egypt’s own Awadly. Tickets are yet to be announced, however we’d suggest keeping an eye out on Paradise Ibiza’s website.

This summer, New Alamein city will be playing host to two landmark art events. Announced by the Egyptian Prime Ministry, the second edition of contemporary exhibitionArt Space will kick off on Saturday, 19 July and wrap up Tuesday, 30 September, as Sahel season comes to a close. Throughout its duration, the exhibition will feature a slew of visual art installations, interactive workshops, and multidisciplinary exhibitions, including the Egypt Sculpture Symposium, which takes place from Wednesday, 6 August till Saturday, 30 August, hosting 30 of the world’s most renowned sculptors.

The Martinez Brothers will be giving the North Coast’s Sol Beach a taste of what New York City’s nightlife scene has to offer on Friday, 1 August. The DJ duo — and brothers from the same mother — will be joined by Lebanese DJ and producer Rolbac, so you know things will be heating up quite fast. You can grab your tickets from TicketsmarchĂ©.

Get caffeinated and grab your polaroid camera, because on Friday 8 August, &ME — one fifth of Keinemusik — will be bringing the beats all through the night until sunrise at North Coast’s Sol Beach. Promising to have you dancing till the sun’s up, the German EDM DJ and producer will be going solo this time around. Tickets can be purchased through TicketsmarchĂ©.

In the mood to party by the Pyramids? On Friday, 19 December, world-famous Dutch DJ and Producer Tiësto is coming back to Egypt for a solo show at the Giza Plateau. Once voted “The Greatest DJ of All Time,” Tiësto will surely make this upcoming show one to remember. Tickets are available on Ticket Egypt.

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GO WITH THE FLOW

What the markets are doing on 23 June 2025

The EGX30 rose 1.2% at today’s close on turnover of EGP 5 bn (4.7% above the 90-day average). Local investors were the sole net buyers. The index is up 5.6% YTD.

In the green: Alexandria Mineral Oils (+7.9%), EFG Holding (+7.2%), and Beltone Holding (+5.0%).

In the red: Abu Qir Fertilizers (-0.9%), CIB (-0.9%), and GB Corp (-0.6%).


JUNE

23 June (Monday): Omar Khairat at The Cairo Opera House.

23 June - 9 July (Monday - Wednesday): DJ Bootcamp at Townhall by Kamelizer.

24 June (Tuesday): Studio El Etnin at CJC 610.

24 June (Tuesday): Badra at The Grand Theatre.

26 June (Thursday): Jeff Dunham at the New Capital’s Drama Hall.

27 June (Friday): Medhat Saleh at Cairo Opera House.

27 June (Friday): Kayak and Paint at Mountain View Hyde Park.

27 June (Friday): Cassette ‘90s at El-Sawy Culturewheel.

27 June (Friday): Game night at Darb 15.

28 June (Saturday): Beethoven’s 9th Symphony at The Cairo Opera House.

28 June (Saturday): Cairokee Empire concert at Cairo International Stadium.

28 June (Saturday): Medic 20th Anniversary Concert at Rawabet Art Space.

29 June (Sunday): 1D Rewind at El Sawy Culturewheel.

JULY

1 July (Tuesday): The Goats at CJC 610.

4 July (Friday): Amr Diab, Monolinkand WhoMadeWho at Sol Beach Marassi.

10 July (Thursday): Tablet El Sitt at Theatro Arkan.

11 July (Friday): Paradise Ibiza at Solare Ras Al Hekma.

11 July (Friday): Mohamed Fouad, Ehab Tawfik, Hamid El Shaeri, and Hesham Abbas at the Roman Theatre.

19 July - 30 September (Saturday - Tuesday): Art Space at New Alamein.

AUGUST

1 August (Friday): The Martinez Brothers at Sol Beach.

6-30 August (Wednesday - Saturday): Egypt Sculpture Symposium at New Alamein.

8 August (Friday): &ME at Sol Beach.

OCTOBER

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

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

DECEMBER

19 December (Friday): DJ Tiësto at the Giza Plateau.

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