M&A-

#1- Egypt’s Logic Holding nabs majority stake in Nexel: Cairo-born management consulting group Logic Holding acquired a majority stake in homegrown advisory firm Nexel Partners for an undisclosed sum, according to a press release (pdf). While the exact size of Logic’s stake in Nexel was not disclosed, the acquisition plays right into the company’s growth plans across key markets in the region. Nexel also has offices in Riyadh and Cairo.

Eyeing Saudi + GCC growth: “Logic will prioritize expanding its Saudi Arabian footprint, capitalizing on the Kingdom’s rapid digitalization, before scaling across the Gulf,” the release read.

#2- Canada-based healthcare tech outfit Treatment.com AI inked a binding letter of intent to fully take over UAE-based online mental health platform Alea Health through a cash-and-stock transaction, according to a press release. Treatment AI will pay USD 315k on three installments tied to the progress of the transaction, while issuing common shares valued at USD 100k, to the selling shareholders.

The rationale: Treatment’s acquisition of Alea Health marks its entry into the Middle East, and allows it to expand its mental health offerings and strengthen its expertise in AI-driven healthcare solutions, according to the statement. The company plans to integrate Alea’s platform into its Global Library of Medicine (GLM) AI healthcare engine, the statement added.

INVESTMENT-

Lunate launches end-of-service investment fund: Abu Dhabi-based alternative asset manager Lunate has launched the Ghaf Benefits scheme, which allows private sector employees to put their end-of-service gratuity into an investment fund to generate returns, it said in a press release. ADQ has signed an MoU with Lunate to explore adopting the scheme, which aims to attract more international talent to the Emirates, the press release said.

The program targets the country’s 85% expatriate population, as current pension schemes only apply to Emirati citizens and GCC nationals, The National quotes Lunate’s managing partner Seif Fikry as saying. Lunate, along with Daman Investments, received approval last year to launch the fund, after the UAE cabinet approved its Alternative End-of-Service Benefits Scheme to offer UAE-based employees end-of-service benefits and savings plans.

The options: Employers will transfer the gratuity package to the scheme, after which the employee can choose from six investment funds in which to invest, available in either conventional and Sharia-complaint options with different risk-return preferences. The low-risk fund is capital protected, while the medium risk option is invested in global fixed income and the higher risk option targets global equities and fixed income, Enterprise has learned. Both parties can add voluntary contributions on top of fixed ones.

MANUFACTURING-

#1- Mirak and Astoria are betting big on mushrooms in Abu Dhabi: Agricultural firms MirakGroup and Astoria will build an AED 180 mn mushroom production facility in Abu Dhabi, Al Khaleej reports. The project’s first phase aims to produce 39k tons of organic fertilizer and 9.9k tons of mushrooms annually, according to Mirak CEO Nejdeh Ghadimi. In its second phase, compost production will nearly double to 74k tons, while mushroom output will increase by 50% to 14.9k tons per year. The facility is expected to be fully operational by November 2026.

More details: The project covers 128 hectares in Nahl, Al Ain, with 24 hectares designated for mushroom cultivation and the remainder for other high-value crops, Mirak Chairman Najieb Khoory said. The Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority is providing the land, while the Abu Dhabi Investment Office is facilitating the project. The facility will integrate AI and automation to enhance productivity and quality, operating year-round to meet local demand and export to markets across the Middle East, North Africa, and West Asia.

#2- Sharjah + Ireland to strengthen trade ties: The Sharjah Research, Technology, and Innovation Park (SRTIP) has signed an agreement with Enterprise Ireland, the Irish state’s economic development agency, to collaborate on advanced manufacturing, sustainability, and emerging technologies, according to a press release. The partnership aims to enhance market access for businesses in both countries while accelerating research and development initiatives. As part of this collaboration, SRTIP has also expressed interest in working with Irish Manufacturing Research, Ireland’s center for digitization and robotics.

ICYMI- Enterprise Ireland and Dubai Chambers signed an MoU to boost Irish investments in tech, manufacturing, ESG, and clean tech last year.

DISPUTE WATCH-

Shuaa Capital dodges AED 22 mn payout in exec lawsuit: The Dubai Labour Court of First Instance has ruled in favor of Shuaa Capital in a lawsuit filed by a former executive seeking AED 22 mn in severance pay, Shuaa said in a to the DFM disclosure (pdf).

Background: The lawsuit was first disclosed last August when Shuaa announced it would contest the claim, arguing it lacked merit. Shareholders later voted not to absolve the former executive of liability for FY 2023.

HOSPITALITY-

Dubai to build Therme Dubai, the world’s tallest wellbeing resort, with a AED 2 bn (USD 545 mn) investment, Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said on X. The resort is part of the emirate’s Quality of Life Strategy 2033 and is set to open in Zabeel Park in 2028.

Details: The resort, developed in partnership with Therme Group and designed by global architecture firm Diller Scofidio + Renfro, will feature the world’s largest indoor botanical garden and aims to welcome 1.7 visitors annually, according to a Dubai Media Office statement.

DEBT-

Sweid & Sweid secures AED 460 mn loan for Sweid One office tower: Dubai-based developer Sweid & Sweid secured an AED 460 mn amortizing term loan facility from Arab Bank to finance Sweid One, its upcoming Grade-A office tower in Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT), according to a statement. The 500k sqft commercial project, which the developer unveiled in 2023 in partnership with Dubai Multi Commodities Center, is set for completion in 2026. It will feature a 30k sqft fully-serviced business center, four levels of underground parking, and JLT’s first-ever food hall.

SPACE

UAE’s MBRSC + Thales Alenia Space to develop airlock module for NASA: The UAE’s Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) partnered with Italian-French firm Thales Alenia Space to develop an airlock module for NASA’s Lunar Gateway station set to launch in 2030, Crown Prince Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum said on X. The airlock will serve as the primary entry and exit point for astronauts and cargo.

ICYMI- In January 2024, MBRSC signed an agreement with NASA to support the Gateway project — the first space station to orbit the Moon. Under the partnership, MBRSC will provide the airlock module, engineering support, and an Emirati astronaut for a future Artemis lunar mission.

CRYPTO-

#1- Energy Ministry partners with crypto player for Web3 services: The Energy and Infrastructure Ministry partnered with cryptocurrency player Shiba Inu to advance its digital transformation efforts, Wam reports. The ministry will leverage Shiba Inu’s Web3 technologies to improve green infrastructure, public service efficiency, and governance projects. This comes as part of its commitment to integrate blockchain technologies in energy and infrastructure, the ministry said in a post on X.

Shiba Inu is a cryptocurrency ecosystem whose offerings include its key Ethereum-based token (SHIB) and various operating systems.

#2- Gewan Holding launches ZMG7: Abu Dhabi’s Gewan Holding has partnered with ZodiaMarkets and Hong Kong’s Metalpha to launch a digital assets joint venture called ZMG7, Zodia Markets said in a press release. The joint venture aims to combine Gewan Holding’s investment expertise, Zodia Markets’ digital asset brokerage, and Metalpha’s specialization in crypto derivatives and wealth management to offer financial solutions and institutional-grade infrastructure.

ICYMI- The joint venture comes after Zodia Markets secured permission from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority last December to operate as a virtual asset brokerage in ADGM.

REAL ESTATE-

Amis Development has launched a new AED 130 mn residential project, Woodland Terraces, in Meydan, Dubai, according to a press release.

TELECOMS-

e& Carrier & Wholesale expands into new markets with digital focus: The international wholesale arm of e&, Carrier & Wholesale Services (C&WS), is expanding into a number of “high-growth” regions with a focus on digital infrastructure and AI solutions, according to a press release.

The details: The company is establishing hubs in Miami and Johannesburg and reinforcing its presence in London and Singapore. The expansion supports international partners and is set to market opportunities in the Americas and Africa.

REMEMBER: C&WS expanded its UAE data centers and established a fifth Tier III SmartHub in Abu Dhabi to support digital adoption and provide low-latency, high-speed internet last year.

LOGISTICS-

Al Ain Mills to set up grain plant at Khalifa Port: Al Ain Mills inked a 50-year lease agreement with flour producer Al Ain Mills to establish a grain storage and processing facility at Khalifa Port’s South Quay, according to a press release. The 500k sqm facility — with a capacity of 300k metric tons — is slated to launch operations 2.5 years after the firm breaks ground on the project. No investment ticket or timeline have been disclosed.

Meet the millers: Al Ain Mills is a member of Al Hazaa Investment Group, and its Fujairah branch is slated to receive and send grain via Etihad Rail, according to its website.

** This section was amended to clarify that ADQ signed an MoU with Lunate only to explore adopting the Ghaf Benefits end-of-service scheme.

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