黑料社区

黑料社区 dominates MENA VC landscape, securing $750m in 2024

Data from regional venture platform MAGNiTT showed that 黑料社区 accounted for 40 percent of the total VC capital deployed in MENA in 2024, with a 16 percent year-on-year increase in deal flow. File聽聽
Data from regional venture platform MAGNiTT showed that 黑料社区 accounted for 40 percent of the total VC capital deployed in MENA in 2024, with a 16 percent year-on-year increase in deal flow. File聽聽
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Updated 08 January 2025

黑料社区 dominates MENA VC landscape, securing $750m in 2024

黑料社区 dominates MENA VC landscape, securing $750m in 2024

RIYADH: 黑料社区 has retained its position as the top destination for venture capital funding in the Middle East and North Africa region, raising $750 million in 2024, according to a new report.聽聽

This marks the second consecutive year the Kingdom has topped the regional VC rankings.聽聽

Data from regional venture platform MAGNiTT showed that 黑料社区 accounted for 40 percent of the total VC capital deployed in MENA in 2024, with a 16 percent year-on-year increase in deal flow.聽聽

The Kingdom closed 178 deals, the most of any MENA nation, reflecting strong investor confidence and a thriving startup ecosystem.聽

The largest deal in the region was secured by Saudi-based e-commerce enablement platform Salla, which raised $130 million.聽

The UAE ranked second in regional funding with $613 million raised, while leading in deal volume with 188 transactions and 12 exits.聽聽

Emerging venture markets snapshot聽聽

MENA startups collectively raised $1.9 billion in 2024, reflecting a 29 percent decline compared to 2023.聽聽聽

Despite the drop, MAGNiTT noted that 鈥渇unding levels in 2024 were still higher than 2020 levels, prior to the 2021 and 2022 boom years, signaling continued growth in the venture space.鈥澛犅

The Middle East accounted for $1.5 billion of the funding, spread across 461 deals 鈥 a 10 percent annual increase. Total investor participation in the region grew by 14 percent, reaching 392 investors, while exits totaled 24.聽聽

Venture capital performance in emerging venture markets 鈥 which include the Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia, Pakistan, and Turkiye 鈥 slowed significantly in 2024.聽聽聽

Total VC funding in these regions fell by 40 percent, with deal volumes dropping 20 percent compared to 2023. Both metrics also dipped below 2020 levels.聽聽

Southeast Asia led among EVMs with $5.6 billion raised across 564 deals, while Africa recorded the weakest performance, raising $1.07 billion through 294 deals.聽聽

Mega deals and early-stage activity聽聽

Global VC trends, such as reduced late-stage funding, were reflected in EVMs. Mega deals 鈥 valued at $100 million or more 鈥 declined for the third consecutive year, falling 56 percent compared to 2023.聽聽聽

The first quarter of 2024 saw the lowest mega deal funding since the fourth quarter of 2019, with late-stage investments hardest hit.聽聽

However, early-stage activity showed resilience. The focus on seed and pre-series A funding increased, with $1 million to $5 million ticket sizes rising by 5 percentage points year on year.聽聽

According to MAGNiTT, this emphasis on early-stage investments is critical for sustaining future deal flow growth.聽聽

Philip Bahoshy, CEO of MAGNiTT, highlighted a potential recovery in the venture market. 鈥淚n 2024, we witnessed a decline in funding across EVMs driven by reduced late-stage investment activity. However, the positive development is that 2024 also saw a gradual decline in interest rates, both in mature markets like the US and Emerging Markets,鈥 he said.聽聽

鈥淲e anticipate these rate cuts to begin boosting capital availability within the next 6-9 months, paving the way for a stronger funding environment in 2025,鈥 Bahoshy added.聽聽

The Middle East increased its share of deal transactions across EVMs to 35 percent in 2024, an 8-percentage-point rise.聽聽聽

Southeast Asia captured the largest share at 43 percent, while Africa鈥檚 share dropped to its lowest level in five years, at 22 percent.聽


Aramco posts $28bn profit in Q3 as major projects advance聽聽

Aramco posts $28bn profit in Q3 as major projects advance聽聽
Updated 31 min 51 sec ago

Aramco posts $28bn profit in Q3 as major projects advance聽聽

Aramco posts $28bn profit in Q3 as major projects advance聽聽

RIYADH: Saudi Aramco reported third-quarter 2025 adjusted net income of $28 billion, up slightly from $27.7 billion a year earlier, as strong operating momentum and progress on key projects underpinned performance. 

Cash flow from operating activities rose to $36.1 billion from $35.2 billion in the same period last year, while free cash flow increased to $23.6 billion from $22 billion. The company鈥檚 gearing ratio stood at 6.3 percent as of Sept. 30, compared with 6.5 percent at the end of the previous quarter. 

The board declared a third-quarter base dividend of $21.1 billion and a performance-linked dividend of $200 million, both to be paid in the fourth quarter, the company said in a statement. 

Commenting on the results, Aramco President & CEO Amin H. Nasser said: 鈥淎ramco鈥檚 ability to adapt to new market realities has once again been demonstrated by our strong third quarter performance."

He added: "We increased production with minimal incremental cost, and reliably supplied the oil, gas and associated products our customers depend on, driving strong financial performance and quarterly earnings growth.鈥   

Nasser said the company continues to enhance its upstream capabilities, with major projects recently completed or due to come onstream soon. 鈥淲e now target sales gas production capacity growth of approximately 80 percent between 2021 and 2030, capitalizing on advanced capabilities,鈥 he said, adding that the Jafurah unconventional gas expansion has attracted significant global investor interest. 

Aramco said its planned investment in HUMAIN highlights its digital strategy and potential for new value creation. The company also revised its 2030 sales gas production capacity growth target upward 鈥 from more than 60 percent to around 80 percent above 2021 production levels 鈥 anticipating total gas and associated liquids output of about 6 million barrels of oil equivalent per day. 

Nasser said Aramco鈥檚 strategy remains focused on value-accretive growth while meeting rising energy demand and leveraging technology to unlock new commercial opportunities. 鈥淥ur deployment of advanced AI solutions and investment in digital infrastructure underpins this approach, and our plan to acquire a significant minority stake in HUMAIN is expected to further drive innovation and progress our role in the crucial and rapidly evolving AI sector,鈥 he added. 

Completion of the $11.1 billion Jafurah midstream deal underscores the value of Aramco鈥檚 unconventional gas expansion, while the initial investment and establishment of Fujian Sinopec Aramco Refining & Petrochemical Co., Ltd. mark progress in the company鈥檚 downstream growth strategy. 

Investor confidence in Aramco鈥檚 financial strength was further reflected in the strong response to its $3 billion international sukuk issuance. 


PIF, ACWA Power sign MoU to develop energy and water infrastructure project聽

PIF, ACWA Power sign MoU to develop energy and water infrastructure project聽
Updated 03 November 2025

PIF, ACWA Power sign MoU to develop energy and water infrastructure project聽

PIF, ACWA Power sign MoU to develop energy and water infrastructure project聽

RIYADH: 黑料社区鈥檚 Public Investment Fund and ACWA Power have signed a memorandum of understanding to explore opportunities for developing energy and water infrastructure projects for PIF鈥檚 local real estate companies. 

The agreement, signed on the sidelines of the ninth Future Investment Initiative, aims to strengthen collaboration between the PIF and ACWA Power to develop more sustainable and resilient facilities, according to the Saudi Press Agency. 

Both parties intend to cooperate on various utility projects to meet the energy and water needs of the Fund鈥檚 local real estate portfolio. 

The MoU will enable the expansion of high-quality infrastructure and utility projects within the PIF鈥檚 real estate assets, while contributing to increasing local content and boosting private sector investment in infrastructure projects. 

The non-binding agreement was signed in the presence of Saad Al-Kroud, head of local real estate investments at PIF, and Mohammed Abunayyan, founder and chairman of ACWA Power. The MoU also bears the signatures of Sahm Nasser, general manager of PIF鈥檚 local real estate investment strategy, and Khaled Al-Medbel, head of business development 鈥摵诹仙缜, ACWA Power. 

The PIF continues to achieve its strategic objectives, generate positive local economic impact, and ensure sustainable returns. The sovereign wealth fund plays a key role in enabling new sectors and opportunities that shape the global economy and drive 黑料社区鈥檚 economic transformation. 

The MoU forms part of PIF鈥檚 strategic infrastructure initiatives to strengthen partnerships with developers and private investors across its infrastructure assets. It aligns with the PIF鈥檚 support for developing clean energy, renewable energy, and water projects 鈥 priority sectors for the fund. 

The fund鈥檚 strategy in the real estate and infrastructure sectors contributes to diversifying and strengthening the local economy, promoting urban innovation, and improving quality of life, in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. 

PIF is leading the development of major transformative projects and prominent real estate initiatives across the Kingdom. 


Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in red at 11,484

Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in red at 11,484
Updated 03 November 2025

Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in red at 11,484

Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in red at 11,484

RIYADH: 黑料社区鈥檚 Tadawul All Share Index closed lower on Monday, slipping 52.72 points, or 0.46 percent, to end at 11,483.57. 

The total trading turnover of the benchmark index reached SR6.11 billion ($1.63 billion), with 58 stocks advancing and 198 declining. 

The Kingdom鈥檚 parallel market Nomu also edged down 0.88 percent to 24,725.15, while the MSCI Tadawul Index fell 0.39 percent to 1,492.48. 

The best-performing stock on the main market was Bawan Co., as its share price increased by 3.64 percent to SR57. 

Shatirah House Restaurant Co. gained 3.55 percent to SR16.61, while Raoom Trading Co. advanced 3.47 percent to SR62.70. 

Conversely, shares of Elm Co. fell 8.6 percent to SR850, making it one of the session鈥檚 biggest decliners. 

On the announcements front, ACWA Power reported that its net profit for the first nine months of 2025 rose 2.01 percent year on year to SR1.28 billion. 

In a Tadawul statement, the utility giant attributed the steady growth to higher gross profit, lower development costs, reduced provisions and write-offs, and increased operating income. 

The company added that its third-quarter net profit climbed 13.12 percent year on year to SR371.16 million. However, its share price dropped 4.81 percent to SR235.60. 

Meanwhile, Alinma Bank announced plans to issue dollar-denominated Tier 2 sukuk under its Trust Certificate Issuance Program. 

In a Tadawul filing, the bank said the issuance would be carried out through a special purpose vehicle and offered to eligible investors in 黑料社区 and abroad.

Alinma noted that proceeds from the issuance would be used for general banking purposes, with the amount and terms determined based on market conditions.

Shares of Alinma Bank inched up 0.15 percent to SR25.92. 


EVIQ to complete 60 EV charging stations by end of 2025, focus shifts to highways

EVIQ to complete 60 EV charging stations by end of 2025, focus shifts to highways
Updated 03 November 2025

EVIQ to complete 60 EV charging stations by end of 2025, focus shifts to highways

EVIQ to complete 60 EV charging stations by end of 2025, focus shifts to highways

RIYADH: 黑料社区鈥檚 state-backed Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Co., known as EVIQ, expects to complete 60 charging stations by the end of 2025 across Riyadh, Jeddah and the Eastern Province. 

The company, a joint venture between the Public Investment Fund and the Saudi Electricity Co., is spearheading efforts to build a national charging network to support the country鈥檚 electric mobility transition, CEO Mohammad Gazzaz told Al-Eqtisadiah. 

Gazzaz said the electric vehicle market in 黑料社区 鈥渋s still in its early stages but has achieved significant growth over the past two years,鈥 driven by the entry of global automakers such as Mercedes, BMW, BYD and Tesla. 

He noted that additional charging stations will be installed along major highways including Jeddah鈥揗adinah, Riyadh鈥揇ammam and Riyadh鈥換assim to enhance connectivity between cities. 

Speaking at the launch of the second edition of the Electric Vehicles and Energy Storage Exhibition in Jeddah, Gazzaz added that the national target is to reach 5,000 charging stations across the Kingdom, which will be developed in line with the growth of the domestic EV market. 

He emphasized ongoing cooperation with Lucid and Ceer, both of which manufacture electric vehicles in 黑料社区, to ensure 鈥渁 smooth and flexible charging experience for EV owners.鈥 

According to Gazzaz, 2026 will mark a stronger focus on highway coverage to enable easier intercity travel for EV drivers. 

He said seven stations are already operating in Jeddah, with several more set to open by year-end. Riyadh currently hosts 20 operational stations, while Dammam has five, and three more have been completed and will be inaugurated soon alongside additional sites in the Eastern Province. 


Qatar鈥檚 general, bulk cargo handling sees annual surge of 43%

Qatar鈥檚 general, bulk cargo handling sees annual surge of 43%
Updated 03 November 2025

Qatar鈥檚 general, bulk cargo handling sees annual surge of 43%

Qatar鈥檚 general, bulk cargo handling sees annual surge of 43%

RIYADH: Qatar鈥檚 ports handled 216,466 tonnes of general and bulk cargo in October, marking a 43 percent year-on-year increase, official data showed.

Qatar Ports Management Co., or Mwani Qatar, said on its official X account that the total number of containers handled reached about 119,000 twenty-foot equivalent units, or TEUs, while the number of cars and equipment handled exceeded 9,500 units.

The data further indicated that 245 ships called at the country鈥檚 ports during the month. In addition, 11,362 tons of building and construction materials were handled, along with 7,682 head of livestock.

The latest results reflect continued growth momentum after Mwani Qatar achieved significant milestones in 2024, reinforcing the nation鈥檚 position as a key regional hub for logistics and trade 鈥 in line with Qatar National Vision 2030 and the Ministry of Transport鈥檚 strategic goals. 

Operationally, the company鈥檚 ports recorded a 10 percent increase in container handling last year, rising to 1.45 million TEUs in 2024 from 1.33 million in 2023, according to its annual report.

In terms of safety and sustainability, the company received several international recognitions in 2024, including the International Safety Award and the Globe of Honor for environmental excellence from the British Safety Council, underscoring its commitment to workplace safety and environmental stewardship. 

Hamad Port also achieved a major sustainability milestone by becoming the first port in the Gulf region to obtain the globally recognized Port Environmental Review System certification from EcoPorts. This underscores the port鈥檚 leading role in advancing sustainable maritime practices and supporting a greener future for Qatar and the wider industry. 

Mwani Qatar oversees the country鈥檚 seaports and shipping terminals but plays a broader role in developing Qatar鈥檚 maritime infrastructure. Through the expansion of Hamad Port, the company is strategically positioning Qatar as a key regional shipping hub while contributing to the diversification of its gas-based economy in the post-hydrocarbon era. 

In addition to managing quays, dry ports, and container terminals, Mwani Qatar provides services including navigation support, pilotage, towage, Aids to Navigation, as well as cargo handling and storage. It continues to invest in upgrading port facilities and services to meet international standards and enhance operational efficiency.