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AI + Innovation (MENA) 
Infrastructure 
No blinking in the buildout
Plus: Al Nassr vs. Al Wasl match postponed
Monday, 26 October 2026
Not blinking
Regional momentum for building Gulf AI infrastructure remains unbroken, even as Houthi attacks persist. That resilience is a major win for Saudi Arabia and the UAE as they push aggressively to position their economies at the center of the global AI boom. giga-campus in Neom’s Oxagon, with capacity phasing in starting in late 2027.
Today at a glance
News
M&A Watch
IPO WATCH
CMA wants banks to guarantee IPOs and investors to fund their bids
The rules aim to close the gap between headline oversubscription…
THIS MORNING: Almatar eyes Tadawul IPO in 2027
Plus: Ceer’s first EVs will be unveiled next week
Gigaprojects
Sabah Barakat takes over New Murabba as Mukaab plans advance
New Murabba names Sabah Barakat as acting CEO replacing Michael…
War jitters hit Saudi tenders as March awards slump
Only 25 major contracts worth USD 11.8 bn were awarded during the month
Newsmakers
Globant’s MENA CEO on SPL, FIFA’s digital transformation
“Globant has successfully delivered Qiddiya's main digital assets for Seven, Aquarabia, and Six Flags”
My morning routine
Coffee With: Yusef Alyusef, managing director at Alvarez & Marsal Saudi Arabia
Yusef Alyusef is a managing director and partner at Alvarez & Marsal in Riyadh, where he leads work…
Regulation
Legislation Watch
New Statistics Law centralizes authority, strengthens data confidentiality
The legislation introduces fines up to SAR 500k for data…
Regulation Watch
CMA wants private funds to disclose what they hold and what they made on the way out
The sharpest new demands land on private equity and venture…
Cabinet Watch
Cabinet ties land-transfer registration to settling White Land fees
PLUS: Aramco offers more crude for loading outside the Strait…
Royal Court
New governors, deputy ministers appointed in latest royal decrees
Jazan gets a new governor — Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz…
Startup Watch
Saudi student turns USD 133 wedding gig into USD 300k startup
Its pitch to companies is a guest database that remembers who came, what they ate and what they care about
King Abdulaziz Int’l Airport Terminal Four is now operational
Plus: WSM is going public with its sukuk program
Saudi Exchange clears Albilad Capital as market maker for three ETFs
Plus: 2P renews, tops up shariah-compliant facility with BSF
Lifestyle
PIF’s Seven is courting new IP partners as its Saudi rollout grows
The PIF-owned operator is sizing each destination to local returns, with Tabuk getting less than a third of what Riyadh will, as it prepares to open at least two more this year
Your guide to Saudi’s coolest winter wonders
Light shows, heritage nights, mega concerts, and world-class sports are set to define Saudi’s…
EVIQ to roll out EV charging solutions for Lotus owners. PLUS: Riyadh Season signs up top Youtuber MrBeast
ALSO: Al Etihad Cooperative Ins. maintains Moody’s rating
