Ahmed Balaha

Egyptian gold prices climbed in October, driven by a significant weakening of the pound against the dollar, even as international gold markets dipped. This shift highlights how local currency dynamics are reshaping investor strategies.

Economy

The state oil giant is taking a 49% stake in the PIF-backed firm to build massive data centres and diversify beyond crude.

Economy

Despite efforts to diversify, the nation's finances remain overwhelmingly tied to global energy markets, impacting public spending and investment.

Economy

Motorists across the UAE will see their fuel costs fall for the first time in four months, providing welcome relief for household budgets and business operating expenses. This unexpected cut comes despite rising global oil prices.

Energy

While the government insists it has no need for external borrowing, a record-setting draft budget still projects a significant deficit for the coming year.

Iraq

Houthi strikes on Saudi oil facilities and Strait of Hormuz incidents have pushed Brent crude prices to their highest in five months. This surge could reshape government budgets and business costs across the region.

Energy

These significant increases, following earlier hikes in October, will impact heating, transport, and petrochemical costs across the Middle East and Asia.

Energy

Baghdad is making strides in capturing flared gas and courting international partners, including Russia, to power its economy and reduce reliance on imports.

Iraq

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi's visit to Syria signals a pragmatic shift. Discussions focused on reviving the historic Kirkuk-Baniyas oil pipeline, a move that could reshape regional energy flows.

Energy

OPEC+ is set to keep oil output steady for December, but ongoing Middle East tensions are keeping Brent crude prices on a rollercoaster, impacting regional revenues and business confidence.

Gulf

The European Investment Bank is expanding its funding for Egypt's sustainable projects, from solar power to water infrastructure. This partnership aims to strengthen the economy and create jobs.

Energy

The revolving credit facility will provide a financial buffer for the energy giant's ambitious capital expenditure program as it balances traditional energy with new growth areas.

Energy

Iraq is offering substantial price cuts on its crude oil, with some sales to India seeing discounts approaching $28 per barrel. This aggressive strategy aims to secure vital export volumes amidst regional tensions and financial strain.

Iraq

Oman's digital economy programme targets a RO 1.5 billion GDP contribution and 3,000 annual jobs by 2030. This ambitious plan signals a major acceleration in the Sultanate's Vision 2040 economic diversification efforts.

Economy

Morocco's latest Finance Bill commits MAD 400 billion to public investment and creates 34,454 new jobs. It balances significant spending with tax reforms to benefit households and businesses.

Economy

This major UK investment in Salalah boosts the Sultanate's digital economy goals, aiming to make it a regional data hub for the future.

Economy

A federal lawsuit alleges Donald Trump improperly profited over $2 billion from crypto deals linked to UAE entities, sparking questions for Gulf finance.

Politics

Abu Dhabi plans an additional €15 billion investment in Greece, deepening a strategic partnership that spans energy, healthcare, and technology. This significant commitment signals growing confidence in Greece's economic future.

Gulf

A new agreement with ExxonMobil aims to boost Iraq's crucial southern oilfields, bringing vital water to maintain production. This move signals a renewed push for international energy partnerships.

Iraq

A new pipeline shutdown in Libya's western region highlights the ongoing vulnerability of its oil sector and poses a risk to state revenues.

Energy

The North African nation is boosting upstream exploration and bringing new wells online, alongside securing significant financing for Africa's largest solar project, to meet soaring energy demand.

Energy

The significant increase in accommodation is part of a wider national strategy to transform the global sporting event into long-term economic gains for the North African nation.

Economy

A major joint venture between Italy's Eni and Libya's National Oil Corporation has completed a long-awaited gas recovery project, promising significant environmental and economic benefits.

Energy

Egypt's six-day forum gathered 8,000 participants to chart a national economic course beyond the IMF programme, focusing on private sector growth and fiscal health.

Economy

Brent crude oil prices have fallen from a five-month high. A US waiver on Russian sanctions allowing increased diesel exports signals shifting supply dynamics for energy producers.

Energy

Doha's latest commitment aims to rebuild Lebanon's dysfunctional electricity sector with no upfront cost to Beirut, potentially offering a more reliable power supply for homes and businesses.

Energy

Baghdad's crude production reached its highest point this year, signalling a recovery from war-related disruptions. This rebound is crucial for the nation's finances.

Iraq

Algeria and South Africa are enhancing cooperation across oil, gas, and other key sectors, aiming to boost economic integration and investment. This strategic shift could reshape trade flows for both nations.

Energy

The decision offers a temporary shield against rising costs for Egyptian households and businesses, but the government's commitment to ending fuel subsidies by 2025 looms large.

Economy

Egyptian officials are in Bangkok advocating for expanded financial tools and greater private sector involvement to bolster the nation's economic recovery amid regional challenges.

Economy

A recent missile strike on Saudi Aramco's Dhahran headquarters has rattled investor confidence, threatening the Kingdom's ambitious Vision 2030 economic transformation goals. This escalation prompts questions about the security of vital energy infrastructure.

Economy

A joint operating body led by BP has taken over four major oilfields in northern Iraq to boost output and capture gas for power generation.

Energy

Egypt's currency is under renewed pressure, driven by substantial financing requirements and broader geopolitical instability in the region. This shift affects import costs and investment outlook.

Economy

After more than a decade of isolation, Syria is taking crucial steps to rejoin the global financial system, signalling a path to strategic trade and investment.

Economy

Oman is forging ahead with geothermal energy studies to diversify its power mix, while state-owned OQ Exploration and Production is establishing a $2 billion sukuk program to fuel its growth ambitions.

Energy

The IMF has sharply downgraded its regional growth outlook for next year, citing ongoing conflicts and trade disruptions. However, a significant rebound is anticipated for 2027.

Economy

OPEC has significantly adjusted its global oil demand outlook, with a sharp downgrade for next year countered by a stronger rebound predicted for 2027. This shift reflects ongoing geopolitical tensions and the critical need to rebuild global oil stockpiles.

Energy

Banque du Caire is finally going public on the Egyptian Exchange after years of delays, offering a significant stake to investors. This move is a crucial step in Egypt's wider economic reform agenda.

Economy

Iraq and Turkey are discussing a groundbreaking financing model for the vast "Development Road" project, potentially using oil revenues to build critical infrastructure. This strategic move could reshape regional trade and energy flows.

Economy

King Mohammed VI has called for a new wave of reforms to shift the economy toward private-sector leadership and high-value manufacturing.

Egypt & North Africa

The UAE's economy reached $262 billion in the first half of 2026, with non-oil sectors driving nearly 80% of activity, despite a slowdown in the second quarter. This performance underlines the nation's push away from oil reliance.

Economy

Riyadh and Abu Dhabi signed a landmark agreement to deepen cooperation on electricity grids and cross-border rail, aiming to cut logistics costs and improve energy resilience across the region.

Economy

The decision reflects improved resilience against external pressures and robust economic growth, despite regional geopolitical tensions.

Economy

Saudi Aramco and NESR are investing $200 million in the region's first direct lithium extraction project, aiming to produce battery-grade material by 2027. This move is a crucial step in the Kingdom's drive to become a key player in the global electric vehicle supply chain.

Economy

President Sisi met with South Korean business leaders to promote a new industrial hub, aiming to significantly boost foreign investment and make Egypt a regional export powerhouse.

Economy

The UAE has seen its foreign direct investment surge to an unprecedented level, marking nine consecutive years of growth and underscoring its shift towards advanced technology and a knowledge-based economy.

Economy

Saudi Aramco has tapped KBR for a significant engineering contract to upgrade its Marjan offshore field, ensuring long-term production stability and advanced gas processing capabilities. This investment highlights the Kingdom's commitment to its energy future.

Energy

The Saudi stock market saw a strong rebound, with the Tadawul All Share Index (TASI) gaining over one percent, driven by major bank and energy stocks and steady oil flows.

Economy

As parliament prepares to debate the 2027 budget, you'll want to understand how a proposed new exchange rate and a significant deficit could affect your purchasing power and business operations.

Economy

The state oil giant has cut prices for November shipments to Asia, offering its flagship Arab Light crude at a $5 per barrel discount. This move targets market share amidst high shipping costs and regional disruptions.

Energy

The Kingdom is pausing flagship projects and entertainment events as the Public Investment Fund shifts toward strict spending limits.

Economy

A technical upgrade to the Tadawul allows orders to fill across multiple price levels. It comes as the market looks to recover from a difficult third quarter.

Economy

Baghdad's state-owned tankers have made their first shipment past the Strait of Hormuz in decades, signalling a major change in how it gets its crude to global markets.

Energy

Yemen's Houthi group claimed drone and missile strikes on a Riyadh Aramco facility, sparking fears of energy supply disruptions and pushing Brent crude prices above $106.

Energy

The United Arab Emirates has warned Britain it may pull significant investments after a Premier League ruling against Manchester City, signalling a rare diplomatic and economic escalation stemming from sports.

Economy

As Houthi attacks persist, the Kingdom is boosting its western pipeline capacity and exploring an Oman bypass to safeguard its crucial oil exports.

Energy

The coordinated move by major economies aims to ease global fuel prices and address Europe's diesel shortage. For Saudi Arabia, this could mean less revenue from its primary export.

Energy

Soaring global energy prices have pushed Morocco's trade gap wider, putting pressure on household budgets and government finances.

Economy

As the Lebanese pound loses more than 98% of its value, the country's economic recovery hinges on crucial IMF-backed reforms. However, a presidential challenge to a new banking law highlights ongoing political hurdles.

Economy

A security breach on a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight has halted a key regional air link, affecting thousands of business and leisure travellers.

Politics