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Regional startups join forces to further propel the ecosystem

Regional startups join forces to further propel the ecosystem
The Kingdom’s National Technology Development Program has joined forces with Outlier Ventures, a prominent global Web3 accelerator, to bolster the technology sector in Saudi Arabia. (Supplied)
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Updated 29 March 2024
Nour El-Shaeri
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Regional startups join forces to further propel the ecosystem

Regional startups join forces to further propel the ecosystem
  • Ventures from various industries forging alliances, and signing agreements to bolster expansion
Updated 29 March 2024
Nour El-Shaeri
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CAIRO: Startups across the Middle East and North Africa region are increasingly collaborating through strategic partnerships to enhance the entrepreneurial ecosystem.   

Ventures from various industries are forging alliances, and signing agreements to bolster expansion, penetrate new markets, and enhance customer satisfaction initiatives.  
At the forefront of these strategic partnerships, the Kingdom’s National Technology Development Program has joined forces with Outlier Ventures, a prominent global Web3 accelerator, to bolster the technology sector in Saudi Arabia.   
Under the memorandum of understanding, the Base Camp Web3 accelerator program aims to support and cultivate the growth of promising Web3 startups in the Kingdom.   
Participating startups will benefit from Outlier Ventures’ expertise, receiving guidance on product development, entity structuring, and token design from a team of in-house experts.   
Additionally, these startups will gain invaluable insights and networking opportunities through direct interactions with leading mentors and investors in the Web3 domain.  
“Under Vision 2030, the rapid pace of change and development is visible across all sectors of the economy. The achievements are testimony to the level of dedication and focus driving the Kingdom forward. Our strategic collaboration underscores our joint dedication to nurturing technological progress,” said Stephan Apel, CEO and founding partner of Outlier Ventures.
This collaboration marks the introduction of the first deep tech Web3 accelerator program in Riyadh, slated to begin later in 2024.
The initiative aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 and Outlier Venture’s commitment to nurturing global entrepreneurial talent, specifically targeting the burgeoning Web3 ecosystem within the Kingdom.  




Mohsin Ali, CEO of Inbox Business Technologies. (Supplied)

Inbox Business partners with AstroLabs for expansion in KSA
Pakistan’s Inbox Business Technologies sealed a partnership with business facilitator AstroLabs to support the former in entering the Saudi market.  
Inbox Business Technologies, under the ownership of the Dawood Group, is renowned for its extensive experience in delivering transformative innovation across various technology domains in Pakistan.  With a workforce exceeding 1,800 professionals, Inbox is well-equipped to offer services in business applications, enterprise-managed services, cloud migration, digital security, and cybersecurity.  
The collaboration with AstroLabs will establish Inbox Business Arabia, the company’s Saudi branch, to capitalize on the burgeoning digital sector, enabling a timely and strategic market expansion in the Kingdom.  
“Inbox Technologies Arabia is actively expanding its operations within Saudi Arabia, with several key projects currently in progress,” said Mohsin Ali, CEO of Inbox Business Technologies.  
“Among these initiatives is the development of a content management database specifically for a multinational corporation based in Jeddah. Additionally, we’re playing a crucial role in delivering IT services and overseeing strategic programs for the nation’s foremost IT enterprise, along with a company owned by the Public Investment Fund,” he added.  




Archie Rudyuk, CEO and co-founder of Takefluence. (Supplied)

True Gamers partners with Takefluence to introduce ambassador program  
True Gamers and Takefluence have partnered to unveil an ambassador program dedicated to the gaming community.   
This innovative initiative aims to empower gaming enthusiasts and content creators, providing them with a platform to express their creativity, engage with broader audiences, and convert their gaming passion into tangible opportunities.  
“This partnership reflects a shared vision for the future of Gaming, eSport and content creation in the region, highlighting the synergies between technological innovation and community engagement,” said Archie Rudyuk, CEO and co-founder of Takefluence.  
True Gamers is a UAE-based esports gaming cafe network with 150 outlets globally.
Takefluence is a platform that automates the onboarding, reporting and payouts for brands looking to launch their ambassador and creator campaigns, engage audience, and leverage influencers and user-generated content.  
“By combining our resources and expertise, we are not just offering a platform for gamers and creators but also setting the stage for the next generation of gaming content. This initiative is about recognizing and amplifying the talents within our community, ensuring that the Middle East becomes a main hub of innovation and creativity in the global gaming scene,” said Vlad Belyanin, co-founder of True Gamers.    




Deliveroo underscores its position as a trusted platform for brands and a provider of unique value to its customers across the UAE. (Supplied)

Deliveroo UAE teams up with Kayali to offer luxury fragrances  
Deliveroo UAE has forged a partnership with Kayali, the prestigious perfume brand created by beauty entrepreneur Mona Kattan. This collaboration marks a significant development in on-demand shopping, with Deliveroo being the exclusive aggregator to feature Kayali’s luxury fragrances on its new shopping vertical.   
This move expands Deliveroo’s range of offerings and showcases its commitment to providing customers with convenient and premium shopping experiences.   
Through this partnership, Deliveroo underscores its position as a trusted platform for brands and a provider of unique value to its customers across the UAE.  

MBC Group acquires significant stake in Anghami  
Saudi Arabian media giant MBC Group, via its MBC Ventures division, has acquired over 4 million ordinary shares in the Nasdaq-listed music streaming service Anghami.   
This purchase secures MBC Group a 13.7 percent ownership in Anghami and raises its stake’s value to $6.48 million from $4.074 million.  
The acquisition also coincided with a substantial 59 percent increase in Anghami’s share price on March 20, which soared to $1.59 from $1 the previous day.   

SPEEDREAD

• Pakistan’s Inbox Business Technologies sealed a partnership with business facilitator AstroLabs to support the former in entering the Saudi market.

• True Gamers and Takefluence have partnered to unveil an ambassador program dedicated to the gaming community. This initiative aims to empower gaming enthusiasts and content creators.

• Deliveroo UAE has forged a partnership with Kayali, the prestigious perfume brand created by beauty entrepreneur Mona Kattan. This collaboration marks a significant development in on-demand shopping.

Ahlan App secures $3m in funding  
Bahrain’s Ahlan App, a loyalty program and delivery service, has secured a $3 million investment at a $15 million valuation in a round led by Hope Ventures, with contributions from Al Rajhi Holdings and other angel investors.   
Founded in 2021 by Faisal Rashed, Ahlan rewards users with cashback for dining in, picking up, or home delivery services.   
This fresh influx of capital is earmarked for increasing Ahlan’s market presence, emphasizing its commitment to enhancing customer loyalty and expanding its services.  

Egypt’s Sprints.ai raises $3m   
Sprints.ai, an Egypt-based edtech firm, has raised $3 million in a bridge round led by Disruptech Ventures, with contributions from EdVentures and Challenge Fund for Youth Employment, among others.   
Founded by Ayman Bazaraa and Bassam Sharkawy in 2020, Sprints.ai is addressing the tech talent shortage in the Middle East and Africa region by offering a guaranteed hiring program to prepare qualified candidates for the job market.  
This new funding will support Sprints.ai’s ambitious plan to penetrate 10 new markets, reinforcing its mission to bridge the educational gap in technology sectors across the region.  

Topics: Start-up of the Week

Closing Bell: Saudi main index slips to close at 12,409

Closing Bell: Saudi main index slips to close at 12,409
Updated 02 February 2025
REEM WALID 
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Closing Bell: Saudi main index slips to close at 12,409

Closing Bell: Saudi main index slips to close at 12,409
  • Parallel market Nomu lost 145.58 points, or 0.47%, to close at 31,105.07
  • MSCI Tadawul Index gained 1.59 points, or 0.10%, to close at 1,54561
Updated 02 February 2025
REEM WALID 

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index slipped on Sunday, losing 5.62 points, or 0.05 percent, to close at 12,409.87.

The total trading turnover of the benchmark index was SR5.09 billion ($1.35 billion), as 108 of the stocks advanced and 118 retreated. 

The Kingdom’s parallel market, Nomu, lost 145.58 points, or 0.47 percent, to close at 31,105.07. This comes as 42 of the listed stocks advanced while 43 retreated. 

The MSCI Tadawul Index, however, gained 1.59 points, or 0.10 percent, to close at 1,54561. 

The best-performing stock of the day was Mutakamela Insurance Co., whose share price rose 9.74 percent to SR18.02. 

Other top performers included Allied Cooperative Insurance Group and Saudi Arabian Cooperative Insurance Co. whose share prices gained 8.55 percent to SR16 and 7.71 percent to SR17.88, respectively.

Thimar Development Holding Co. recorded the most significant drop, falling 7.5 percent to SR53.

Saudi Arabian Amiantit Co. also saw its stock prices fall 5.77 percent to SR29.40.

CHUBB Arabia Cooperative Insurance Co. saw its stock prices decline 4.26 percent to SR54.

Multi Business Group Co. announced its annual financial results for the period ending Dec. 31.

According to a Tadawul statement, the company reported a net profit of SR10.5 million last year, reflecting a 19.06 percent increase compared to 2023. 

The growth was driven by an 8 percent rise in total revenues, a 12 percent increase in gross profit, an 8 percent reduction in general and administrative expenses, and a 45 percent decrease in financing costs, despite a 161 percent surge in zakat expenses.

Multi Business Group Co. ended the session at SR18.80, up 10.43 percent.

Edarat Communication and Information Technology Co. announced its annual consolidated financial results for the period ending Dec. 31.

A bourse filing revealed that the firm recorded a net profit of SR24.6 million in 2024, reflecting a 41.98 percent rise compared to the previous year. 

The jump is primarily linked to a 31 percent rise in gross profit, which reached SR45.3 million in 2024, compared to SR34.6 million in 2023. Moreover, administrative expenses, as a percentage of revenue, dropped from 19.07 percent in 2023 to 16.71 percent in 2024, further leveraging the growth in net profit.

Edarat ended the session at SR671, up 1.55 percent.

The National Shipping Co. of Saudi Arabia announced its interim financial results for the period ending Dec. 31. According to a Tadawul statement, the firm recorded a net profit of SR2.16 billion in 2024, up 34.45 percent compared to 2023. 

The rise is owed to a surge in gross profit by SR627 million and an increase in the firm’s share in results of equity accounted investees by SR166 million. The increase in net profit was partially reduced by a decline in other income and a rise in general and administrative expenses compared to the same period last year.

National Shipping Co. of Saudi Arabia ended the session at SR29.95, down 0.67 percent.

Bank AlJazira has announced its annual financial results for the period ending Dec. 31. A bourse filing revealed that the firm recorded a net profit of SR1.23 billion in 2024, up 20.69 percent compared to 2023.

The bank ended the session at SR18.68, down 3.08 percent.

Saudi Awwal Bank also announced its annual financial results for the same period. According to a Tadawul statement, the firm recorded a net profit of SR8.07 billion in 2024, up 15.25 percent compared to 2023. This rise is due to a surge in total operating income, partially offset by a jump in total operating expenses and tax charges.

The bank ended the session at SR36.40, up 1.95 percent.

Topics: Saudi Arabia Tadawul Closing Bell TASI MSCI Tadawul Index TASI Nomu Saudi stock market Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) Tadawul All Share Index (TASI)

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Saudi Electricity to settle $1.5bn in historical obligations to the state

Saudi Electricity to settle $1.5bn in historical obligations to the state
Updated 02 February 2025
REEM WALID 
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Saudi Electricity to settle $1.5bn in historical obligations to the state

Saudi Electricity to settle $1.5bn in historical obligations to the state
  • Disputed amounts are related to technical discrepancies in quantities, prices, and handling costs of fuel and electric power
  • Second resolution was issued to include the settlement liability amount in the Mudaraba instrument
Updated 02 February 2025
REEM WALID 

RIYADH: The Saudi Electricity Co. will settle its historical obligations to the state, totaling SR5.687 billion ($1.5 billion), following an executive panel approving a final settlement of the disputed legacy amounts.

The panel, which included a ministerial committee for restructuring the electricity sector and SEC, said the disputed amounts are related to technical discrepancies in quantities, prices, and handling costs of fuel and electric power.

A working team was formed from the ministries of energy and finance and the Saudi Electricity Regulatory Authority, in coordination with relevant authorities, to study the disputed transactions totaling SR10.3 billion.

This is part of the government’s continued efforts to enhance service levels for citizens and residents, supporting the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.

Global credit ratings agency Moody’s assigned the SEC an Aa3 rating in November, which it gives to companies with high quality, low credit risk, and a strong ability to repay short-term debts. It provides an assessment of the creditworthiness of borrowers, including governments, corporations, and other entities that issue debt.

The Tadawul statement said the committee issued a second resolution to include the settlement liability amount in the Mudaraba instrument, as per the terms of the agreement between SEC and the Ministry of Finance, within 30 days of receiving the resolution letter from the Minister of Energy.

The Mudaraba instrument is a long-term, unsecured financial tool with a profit margin tied to the regulatory weighted average cost of capital. Its profit is paid only if dividends are declared on ordinary shares. It follows Islamic Shariah principles, is treated as equity in SEC’s financials, and does not change shareholder ownership or rights.

The bourse filing said the SEC expects no significant impact on its dividend distribution.

It added that following the resolution, SEC will amend the Mudaraba agreement with the Ministry of Finance to include this amount in the Mudaraba instrument, bringing the total to SR173.607 billion.

Reclassifying the settlement amount into the Mudaraba instrument strengthens the company’s capital and prepares it for large-scale investments, reinforcing its role as a reliable electricity provider in the Kingdom.

The financial impact of the resolution is projected to be reflected in the 2024 financial statements.

Topics: Saudi Electricity Co. (SEC) Saudi Arabia

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Saudi Arabia’s military spending surges to $75.8bn in 2024, says GAMI chief
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Saudi Arabia launches February ‘Sah’ savings with 4.94% return
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Saudi Arabia’s military spending surges to $75.8bn in 2024, says GAMI chief

Saudi Arabia’s military spending surges to $75.8bn in 2024, says GAMI chief
Updated 02 February 2025
Nadin Hassan
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Saudi Arabia’s military spending surges to $75.8bn in 2024, says GAMI chief

Saudi Arabia’s military spending surges to $75.8bn in 2024, says GAMI chief
  • Kingdom strengthens global defense presence with $78 billion military budget for 2025
Updated 02 February 2025
Nadin Hassan

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s military spending has increased at an annual rate of 4.5 percent since 1960, reaching $75.8 billion in 2024. This accounts for 3.1 percent of global defense spending, according to a senior official.

Speaking at the fourth Global Strategies in Defense and Aerospace Industry Conference in Antalya, Turkiye, Ahmed bin Abdul Aziz Al-Ohali, governor of the General Authority for Military Industries, noted that global military expenditure now totals $2.44 trillion.

Al-Ohali emphasized that Saudi Arabia has earmarked around $78 billion for the military sector in its 2025 budget. This allocation represents 21 percent of the total government spending and 7.19 percent of the country’s gross domestic product.

The governor reiterated that the work of GAMI is aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, which seeks to build a prosperous, diversified, and sustainable economy by reducing dependence on oil revenues and fostering growth in industry and innovation.

“In the presence of His Excellency Prof. Haluk Gorgun, chairman of the Defense Industries Authority of Turkiye, and leaders of Turkish military industry companies, I discussed Saudi Arabia’s ongoing transformation toward a more diversified and innovation-driven economy,” Al-Ohali stated.

He further added: “I also emphasized the promising investment opportunities within Saudi Arabia’s military industries sector and the strategic partnerships between our two countries, with the goal of localizing over 50 percent of military spending by 2030.”

The governor underscored GAMI’s commitment to developing a sustainable military industries sector that not only strengthens military readiness but also makes a significant contribution to the national economy.

To achieve its localization goals, the authority has introduced several initiatives designed to attract both foreign and domestic investments in the defense sector.

Al-Ohali highlighted that GAMI has rolled out a range of incentives to encourage investment and expand military industries, helping companies meet localization targets.

“A total of 74 supply chain opportunities have been created within the military industries sector, with 30 priority opportunities identified, representing about 80 percent of future expenditures on supply chains,” he noted.

The authority is also offering support and facilitation to small and medium-sized enterprises specializing in military industries, both domestically and internationally.

“The aim is to establish a resilient and robust military industrial base that will not only bolster national security but also contribute significantly to the Kingdom’s economic diversification,” Al-Ohali added.

In November of last year, Al-Ohali mentioned at the Local Content Forum that Saudi Arabia had localized 19.35 percent of its military spending, a significant increase from just 4 percent in 2018. The Kingdom plans to exceed 50 percent by 2030.

He also pointed out that the number of licensed entities in the military industries sector had risen to 296 by the third quarter of 2024.

Saudi Arabia continues to solidify its position as a key player in the global defense sector, with strategic partnerships and industrial development playing a pivotal role in achieving the goals outlined in Vision 2030.

Topics: GAMI SaudiVision2030 localization

Saudi Arabia launches February ‘Sah’ savings with 4.94% return

Saudi Arabia launches February ‘Sah’ savings with 4.94% return
Updated 02 February 2025
MOHAMMED AL-KINANI
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Saudi Arabia launches February ‘Sah’ savings with 4.94% return

Saudi Arabia launches February ‘Sah’ savings with 4.94% return
  • Minimum subscription amount is SR1,000 and the maximum total issuance per user during the program period is SR200,000
  • Kingdom aims to raise savings rate among residents from 6% to the international benchmark of 10% by 2030
Updated 02 February 2025
MOHAMMED AL-KINANI

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia has launched the second round of its subscription-based savings product, Sah, for 2025, offering a competitive return of 4.94 percent for February.

Issued by the Ministry of Finance and organized by the National Debt Management Center, the Sah bonds are the Kingdom’s first savings product designed specifically for individuals. 

Structured within the local bond program and denominated in Saudi riyals, Sah offers attractive returns to promote financial stability and growth among citizens.

The product aligns with the Financial Sector Development Program under Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to raise the savings rate among residents from 6 percent to the international benchmark of 10 percent by the end of the decade.

The Shariah-compliant, government-backed sukuk began at 10:00 a.m. Saudi time on Feb. 2 and will remain open until 3:00 p.m. on Feb. 4. Redemption amounts are expected to be paid within a year, as announced by the NDMC on X.

Sah offers fee-free, low-risk returns and is available through the digital platforms of various approved financial institutions. The bonds are issued monthly based on the issuance schedule, with a one-year savings period, fixed returns, and profits paid out at the bond’s maturity.

The minimum subscription amount is SR1,000 ($266), corresponding to the value of one bond, while the maximum total issuance per user during the program period is SR200,000. Returns are paid monthly per the issuance calendar.

The savings period lasts one year with a fixed return, and accrued profits are disbursed at the bond’s maturity. Future returns will be influenced by market conditions on a month-to-month basis.

The product is available to Saudi nationals aged 18 and older, who must open an account with either SNB Capital, Aljazira Capital, Alinma Investment, SAB Invest, or Al-Rajhi Capital.

Last month, NDMC announced the closure of the year’s first issuance with a total amount allocated of SR3.724 billion. It was divided into four tranches, with the first valued at SR1.255 billion to mature in 2029 and the second worth SR1.405 billion, maturing in 2032. The third tranche totaled SR1.036 billion to mature in 2036, while the fourth amounted to SR28 million and matures in 2039.

The initial 2025 issuance concluded on Jan. 7, offering a competitive return of 4.95 percent over its three-day subscription period.

Topics: Saudi Arabia sah bonds Financial Sector Development Program

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Saudi stc Group tops MENA telecom operators with $57.7bn market cap

Saudi stc Group tops MENA telecom operators with $57.7bn market cap
Updated 02 February 2025
Nirmal Narayanan
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Saudi stc Group tops MENA telecom operators with $57.7bn market cap

Saudi stc Group tops MENA telecom operators with $57.7bn market cap
  • stc posted a net profit of SR11.23 billion in the first nine months of 2024
  • Company’s Saudi mobile subscriber base grew 7.9% year on year
Updated 02 February 2025
Nirmal Narayanan

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s stc Group has emerged as the largest listed telecom operator in the Middle East and North Africa, with a market capitalization of $57.7 billion as of Jan. 28, according to a Forbes analysis.

The ranking places stc ahead of UAE’s e&, the Kingdom’s Etihad Etisalat, also known as Mobily, Qatar’s Ooredoo Group, and UAE’s Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Co., which round out the top five telecom firms in the region by market value. 

The combined capitalization of these five companies stood at $132 billion, representing 84.7 percent of the total market value of the 16 publicly listed telecom operators in the region.

stc’s share price rose 2 percent year on year to SR43.3 ($11.6) as of Jan. 28. On Feb. 2, the stock gained 0.34 percent to trade at SR43.65 as of 12:30 p.m. Saudi time. The company posted a net profit of SR11.23 billion in the first nine months of 2024, marking a 2 percent increase from the same period a year earlier, according to Saudi Exchange data.

The group’s financial arm, STC Bank, recently secured a non-objection certificate from the Saudi Central Bank to commence operations, becoming the first licensed digital financial institution in Saudi Arabia. The approval aligns with the regulator’s push for digital transformation and enhanced competition in the banking sector while ensuring financial stability.

Forbes said that stc’s Saudi mobile subscriber base grew 7.9 percent year on year in the first nine months of 2024, reaching 27.6 million, while fixed-line subscribers rose 2.3 percent to 5.7 million. In contrast, stc Kuwait saw its mobile subscriber base decline 4.2 percent to 2.3 million by the end of the third quarter.

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund holds a 62 percent stake in stc Group.

Among regional rivals, e& holds the second-largest market capitalization at $41.1 billion, while Mobily ranks third at $12 billion. Mobily’s stock price climbed 14.5 percent year on year to SR58.4 as of Jan. 28, with net profit surging 43 percent to SR2.12 billion for the first nine months of 2024. The company’s subscriber base also expanded 1.5 percent to 11.7 million.

Ooredoo Group ranks fourth with an $11.4 billion market capitalization, followed by Emirates Integrated Telecommunications at $9.8 billion.

Topics: STC mobile Saudi Arabia Saudi Telecom Co. (STC)

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