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Another Saudi school is changing hands: Al Masar Al ShamilEducation inked a non-binding MoU to acquire 60% of Al Qalam Educational Trading, according to a Tadawul disclosure. The MoU — which runs until 30 September, extendable — covers due diligence and a negotiation phase spanning commercial, legal, and tax assessments. No financial advisors have been appointed yet.
Saudi private education is consolidating: EFG Hermes has deployed over USD 100 mn across six Saudi schools in roughly a year through its Saudi Education Fund, Ashmore closed its second school acquisition in April, and Maarif absorbed Ibn Khaldoun in May 2025.
A fashion district for Riyadh?
Sidra Capital and Four Directions signed a SAR 450 mn MoU to develop Riyadh’s Fashion District — a mixed-use project in Riyadh combining a luxury hotel, office spaces, residential and retail units, and an events venue. This signing follows an MoU in January between Four Directions and the Fashion Commission for the district.
REMEMBER- Saudi Arabia's fashion sector is starting to attract real capital. In April, Merak Capital and the Cultural Development Fund launched the ZYA fund — the Kingdom's first private equity fund dedicated to fashion.
Miahona’s first Uzbek contract
Miahona secures USD 105 mn Uzbek contract: Miahona signed a USD 105 mn (c. SAR 395 mn) public-private partnership with the Uzbek water utility Uzsuvtaminot to operate and maintain the Zomin Water Treatment Plant in Jizzakh for 25 years, according to a Tadawul disclosure.
The details: The partnership covers enhancement works, long-term operations, and maintenance services for the 50k cbm / day facility. Both the contract value and start date hinge on a government decree under Uzbek law — operations are pencilled in for 1Q 2027.
Why it matters: The agreement converts an MoU signed with Uzbekistan’s Investment Ministry in June 2025 into Miahona’s first contracted position in the country. It also adds a long-term revenue stream outside the Kingdom at a time when the company is simultaneously expanding domestically. Miahona is set to acquire Al Manhal Water Factory for up to SAR 102.7 mn and it joined a consortium bidding for the SAR 3 bn Arana Independent Sewage Treatment Plant in Makkah in December.
