UAE 
Egypt Edition 
Saudi Edition 
MENA <> India Corridor 
Logistics (MENA) 
Climate (MENA) 
Share
Read Full Issue 
DHL to introduce Lodd’s unmanned aircraft
DHL Express taps Lodd for autonomous drone delivery: Abu Dhabi-based drone manufacturer Lodd Autonomous inked an MoU with DHL Express to explore the integration of Lodd’s unmanned Hili aircraft into DHL’s last-mile delivery operations, according to a press release (pdf). The next steps include forming joint operational workshops to explore key route definition, refining data payloads, accelerating turnaround times, and boosting interoperability for scalable implementation.
ICYMI- Logistics provider Aramex inked a similar agreement with Lodd in December for the integration of the hybrid vertical take-off and landing cargo plane into its regional delivery network.
Fab + ADCB among lenders for USD 500 mn wastewater project in Saudi
UAE banks anchor financing for USD 500 mn Jubail wastewater project: First Abu Dhabi Bank (Fab) and Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB), alongside Korea Development Bank and Qatar National Bank, are providing a loan for the USD 500 mn Amiral Industrial Wastewater Treatment and Reuse plant in Saudi Arabia’s Jubail Industrial City 2, Zawya reports. The project is being developed by a consortium including both Saudi and international players and will have the capacity to treat up to 8.8 mn cbm of water annually.
Edge, Safran to develop air-to-ground weapon systems
Edge deepens footprint in smart weaponry with Safran Defense: UAE defense conglomerate Edge Group inked an MoU with France’s Safran Electronics and Defense to co-develop and produce advanced long-range air-to-ground weapon systems, according to a press release. The first phase of development involves expanding Safran’s existing systems, with potential to progress into surface-to-air and smart weapons for the global market.
IN CONTEXT- The news follows Edge’s recent partnership with Abu Dhabi’s Technology Innovation Institute, UAE-based autonomous fleet software firm SteerAI, and Emirati robotics manufacturer Micropolis to manufacture autonomous fleets for industrial facilities. The defense firm also planted its flag in Europe at the start of this year through an agreement with Spanish information tech firm Indra to set up a new defense manufacturing entity in Spain.
EDC plugs AI into its wider mobility play
Driving institute Emirates Driving Company (EDC), a 2PointZero subsidiary, plans to acquire a 51% stake in UAE-based AI firm Performise Labs, pending regulatory approvals, according to a press release. Financial terms were not disclosed.
The target? Automating driver testing and vehicle inspection. Founded in 2024, Performise’s Intelligent Virtual Examiner runs fully automated yard tests with real-time monitoring, biometric verification, and measurement accuracy down to 2 cm. It has already secured contracts with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority.
The bigger picture: The agreement comes weeks after EDC announced its transition into Emirates Mobility, a platform model under the new consolidated 2PointZero Group — including parent Multiply — designed to consolidate and scale mobility-sector assets while EDC continues operating on the ground. As we’ve reported earlier, the build-out is already underway.
REMEMBER- In July, EDC acquired a 22.5% stake in Mwasalat Holding, following a 51% takeover of Excellence Premier Investment the year before. The Emirates Mobility portfolio will include these assets alongside ChargePoint, marking a deliberate shift from single-operator to a multi-asset mobility platform.
Regionally bound: Performise is also eyeing expansion into Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Jordan — suggesting this isn’t just about smarter yard tests, but about embedding AI deeper into the region’s mobility infrastructure.
