Good morning, friends, and happy FRIDAY. We have a brisk issue for you this morning, with big stories including FDI inflows coming in at USD 46 bn last year, and Sharjah’s Beeah tapping the emirate’s real estate market with a new AED 5 bn development. Plus: Taaleem continues its expansion drive with a new acquisition.

WEATHER- It’s another scorcher today. Dubai will see afternoon highs of 41°C but will feel like 55 °C, while overnight lows will dip to 31°C. Abu Dhabi remains slightly cooler, with afternoon temperatures peaking at 34°C and nighttime lows of 31°C.

WATCH THIS SPACE-

#1- Americana in early talks to buy Five Guys operator Cravia: ADX and Tadawul-listed F&B giant Americana Restaurants is reportedly in early talks with Dubai private equity firm Fajr Capital to acquire Cravia, the Middle East operator of Five Guys, Cinnabon, and Zaatar w Zeit, Bloomberg reports, citing people it says are familiar with the matter. Cravia, which is based in Dubai, runs 78 outlets and employs more than 2k staff across the region. No timeline for the potential buyout has been confirmed.

For reference: The move would expand cash-strapped Americana’s already deep roster of global franchises — which includes KFC, Pizza Hut, and Krispy Kreme — and mark its first major M&A play since a wave of brand boycotts, job cuts, and restructuring cost its stock some 60% in value over the last two years. Americana is backed by Saudi’s Public Investment Fund.

#2- Oryx Global consortium withdraws from Irish mining acquisition: A consortium made up of Abu Dhabi-based energy-focused private equity firm Oryx Global Partners and Michael Carvill, the founder and former managing director of Kenmare Resources, has withdrawn its takeover offer for Ireland-based mining firm Kenmare Resources, according to two statements (here and here). A failure to align on the company’s valuation after completing the due diligence process was cited as the reason behind the withdrawal, which can be reversed in the next six months.

Background: The consortium made an initial proposal in March to acquire 100% of Kenmare Resources for GPB 5.3 per ordinary share. Kenmare’s board rejected the initial offer on the basis that it undervalued the firm. Kenmare Resources is dual-listed on the London Stock Exchange and Euronext Dubai, and is the world’s fourth largest producer of titanium feedstocks, responsible for 8% of global supply. It also owns the Moma titanium minerals mine in Mozambique.

#3- GulfNav readies convertible bond issuance to fund Brooge acquisition: DFM-listed Gulf Navigation (GulfNav) is kicking off the subscription period for its mandatory convertible bond issuance this month as it pushes ahead with its AED 3.2 bn acquisition of Nasdaq-listed Brooge Energy’s oil storage businesses, according to a shareholders’ circular (pdf) filed to the Dubai bourse.

The details: Some 454.5 mn convertible bonds will be offered exclusively to GulfNav’s minority shareholders at AED 1.10 apiece from Monday, 30 June to Tuesday, 15 July. Majority shareholders will only have two days (14 and 15 July) to subscribe to the rump offering. Final allocations will take place on Tuesday, 22 July, with the debt due to convert into equity at a 1:1 ratio on or before Wednesday, 29 October, with a one-year lockup period.

Priming the cap table for a Brooge majority: The move hikes GulfNav’s capital base in preparation for the dilution that will come when Brooge is folded in. The transaction is part of a broader cash-and-shares swap that will eventually give Brooge shareholders a 63% stake in GulfNav. Net proceeds from the sale (92%) will go toward financing the cash-portion of the transaction, with the remainder earmarked for general corporate purposes.

ADVISORS- Gulf Navigation appointed Trussbridge Advisory (DIFC) as its exclusive financial advisor, and Pinsent Masons as its lead counsel. Ibrahim & Partners Law Firm provided legal advice on the transaction structuring and related regulatory aspects.

#4- Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) International Airport is building a new 30k sqm passenger terminal, scheduled for completion in 2028, RAK Civil Aviation Department Chairman Salem Al Qasimi told Khaleej Times. The move comes as part of bigger expansion plans that aim to allow the airport to serve 3 mn passengers in the coming years, as demand rises for travel to the emirate amid the development of new resorts and hotels, Al Qasimi said. The airport recorded a 28% y-o-y hike in arrivals to 661k passengers in 2024.

This isn’t the first we’ve heard of the terminal: RAK International Airport was said to be finalizing plans for a new passenger terminal in collaboration with a consulting firm earlier in March. An international tender was also launched for the construction of a private aviation terminal. The private terminal will include dedicated hangards and aircraft parking bays, Al Qasimi said. The terminal will operate separately from the main terminal building, he added.

ALSO- An undisclosed air cargo company is also setting up shop at the airport, carrying out over 100 shipment flights in livestock and pharma goods, while an aircraft Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility is also being set up at the airport, Al Qasimi noted, without providing further details.

#5- DFSA opens consultation on climate transition planning principles: The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) and other members of the UAE Sustainable Finance Working Group have launched a public consultation on draft principles for climate transition planning, according to a statement. The framework is meant to help financial institutions develop forward-looking climate strategies. Feedback is open until 16 July 2025.

The draft covers eight areas, including setting transition objectives, integrating them into risk management and governance strategy, establishing metrics and targets, reporting, customer engagement, and regular plan reviews. The principles are designed to apply proportionately across financial institutions, especially those already managing climate risks or developing transition plans.

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 this 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.

Subscribe to our Egypt edition to get the scoop delivered to your inbox, Tuesday 24, June.

See you, Sahel-side.

DATA POINT-

Google estimates it contributed 1% of UAE’s GDP in 2024, or AED 21.8 bn, through its tools, including Search, Ads, Play, YouTube, and Maps, according to Google’s Economic Impact Report.

On the AI front, 78% of Emirati adults use artificial intelligence tools, the report said, citing research from Public First. Roughly a third use them “regularly,” double the rate in the US, and 91% of firms in the Emirates use AI tools in their operations. Generative AI could add AED 298 bn to the economy, the report said.

HAPPENING NEXT WEEK-

#1- EVCharge Live Middle East arrives at the Dubai World Trade Center on Tuesday and Wednesday, spotlighting EV charging infrastructure. Event highlights include a conference with over 150 speakers, an EV and charging exhibition, and networking meetings.

#2- Solar & Storage Live is also happening on Tuesday and Wednesday at the Dubai World Trade Center. The solar energy and battery storage exhibition will see over 10k attendees meet for talks and exhibitions on technology focused on the green transition.

#3- Mobility Live Middle East returns to Dubai on Tuesday and Wednesday at the Dubai World Trade Center, spotlighting future transport. The trade event will bring together regional mobility leaders for keynotes, panel sessions, and an expo featuring autonomous tech, smart cities, and public transport.

#4- Middle East Rail will run in parallel on Tuesday and Wednesday at Dubai World Trade Center, bringing together transport ministries, rail operators, and tech firms for discussions and exhibitions on high-speed networks, digitalisation, and transit infrastructure.

THE BIG STORY ABROAD-

As the escalation of violence between Israel and Iran crosses the one-week mark, the repercussions of the conflict and speculation over the US’ potential involvement are still dominating global headlines.

#1- US President Donald Trump said he will decide whether the US will strike Iran “within two weeks,” as he waits to see how potential negotiations with Iran could go, despite US military assets already making their way to the region.

#2- Iran struck an Israeli hospital yesterday, as Israel fired missiles on military sites and an inactive nuclear reactor in Arak. The Israeli military also said it had struck a site in Bushehr on the Gulf coast, where Iran’s only nuclear power station is located, but later admitted the announcement was an error. (Reuters | Bloomberg | Wall Street journal | AP)

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OIL WATCH-

Geopolitical risks are creeping back into the LNG equation — and the UAE’s rising LNG export ambitions may not be immune, Bloomberg reports. The escalating conflict between Israel and Iran could threaten LNG flows through the Strait of Hormuz, and prompt buyers in Asia, the fastest growing market for LNG imports, to consider sourcing supplies from elsewhere.

By the numbers: Roughly a third of all LNG exports to Asia go through the Strait.

REMEMBER- State-owned energy giant Adnoc is boosting its LNG capabilities both at home and abroad, with a plan to establish a top-five integrated global gas and LNG business, setting a target of 20-25 mn tons per annum (mtpa) in capacity by 2035, having already secured an enterprise value of over USD 80 bn in its first six months. Adnoc has already secured tens of long-term LNG supply contracts with Asian buyers for its production out of Al Ruwais and other LNG facilities.

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