In line with the Central Bank of Egypt’s (CBE) steadfast efforts to strengthen collaboration with fellow African central banks, the CBE hosted two delegations from the Bank of Ghana. The first delegation aimed to gain insights into Egypt’s experience in digital transformation, Artificial Intelligence (AI), advanced analytics, data governance, and the development of financial services, while the second delegation focused on leveraging Egypt’s pioneering expertise in cybersecurity.

The first delegation’s visit continued for several days, during which members were introduced to the CBE’s experience in building an integrated data management system, including data governance, Supervisory and Regulatory Technology applications (SupTech and RegTech), as well as the use of AI to support monetary policy, inflation forecasting, and labor market indicators. Moreover, the visit covered the CBE’s efforts to upgrade supervisory and oversight mechanisms, data collection and analysis processes, and the use of AI Chatbots, reflecting the CBE’s direction towards adopting modern technologies to support its operations and enhance performance efficiency.

The visit included a presentation on the CBE’s Digital Transformation Strategy, Egypt’s experience in developing the digital payments ecosystem, and the efforts to support the transition towards a less-cash society through advancing the national payments infrastructure, strengthening regulatory and legislative frameworks, and launching and developing digital payment systems and services. This was followed by a review of the CBE’s key strategic initiatives, most notably the Instant Payment Network (IPN) and the InstaPay application, Tokenization technologies that support secure digital payments, and the Digital Financial Identity (eKYC) system, which enables electronic customer identification and verification.

In a related context, the two-day visit of the second Ghanaian delegation focused on learning from the CBE’s leading experience in cybersecurity. This marked the delegation’s second visit, during which discussions were centered on the operational framework of the Computing Incident Response Team for the Financial Sector (EG-FinCIRT). Supporting secure financial innovation, the visit also covered the governance of digital financial services and reviewed the mechanisms and frameworks for authorizing FinTech applications and modern technological solutions prior to their launch in the local market.

The discussions also focused on risk assessment methodologies and the evaluation of cyber resilience through the CBE’s “Egyptian Financial Cybersecurity Framework (EG-FinCSF)”, whose enhanced second version is currently being prepared for launch. This updated version is designed to keep pace with the rapidly evolving global cyber landscape and introduce more flexible and precise supervisory and assessment tools to strengthen the protection of banks and financial institutions.

The visits of both Ghanaian delegations align with the CBE's commitment to fostering technical cooperation and capacity-building with African central banks, thereby enhancing financial and banking integration across Africa.

Madinet Masr (EGX code: MASR.CA), reported a strong sales performance
during the first half of 2026, achieving record new sales of EGP 27.2 billion, representing a 16.5%
year-on-year increase compared to the same period last year.
of
The company's performance was further supported by strong demand across its portfolio, with
more than 2,900 units sold during the first six months of 2026, representing an increase
more than 71% compared to the same period last year. While the number of units delivered
increased significantly to 1200 units versus 521 units in H1 2025, marking a remarkable 130%
increase compared to the same period in the previous year. This strong growth underscores
Madinet Masr's commitment to meeting delivery schedules and further strengthening
customer confidence. This reflects customers' continued confidence in Madinet Masr's brand,
product quality, and ability to deliver real estate solutions that respond to evolving market
needs.
This performance underscores Madinet Masr's continued growth momentum, the strength of
its market positioning, and the success of its expansion strategy, which focuses on developing
its land portfolio, diversifying its project offering, and delivering integrated real estate
communities in strategic locations while continuing to create long-term value for customers
and shareholders.
Commenting on the results, Eng. Abdallah Sallam, President and CEO of Madinet Masr, said:
"The increase reflects our clients' continued trust, our team's dedication, and Madinet Masr's
strong growth momentum. These results mark another key milestone in our growth journey
and reinforce our leading position in the Egyptian real estate market." He added: "We remain
focused on expanding our land portfolio, diversifying our projects, and developing innovative
real estate solutions that meet and exceed our customers' aspirations. Building on more than
67 years of legacy, we continue to uphold the highest standards of quality, efficiency, and
execution across our developments."
Madinet Masr's growth strategy continues to drive strong demand across its key projects,
including Taj City, Sarai, The Butterfly in Mostakbal City, and Talala in New Heliopolis. These
projects have continued to attract strong customer interest, reflecting the quality of
company's developments and the appeal of its strategically located communities.
the
During the period, Madinet Masr also launched Day 2 Night, first fully integrated commercial
complex within Sarai, further advancing the concept of smart business infrastructure in New
Cairo and strengthening the company's offering across residential, commercial, and mixeduse developments.

Misr AlGadida Company announced that the first phase of its Jadinah project in New Heliopolis has
been awarded the Gold Certification under the Green Pyramid Rating System (GPRS), becoming the
first sustainable residential project in Egypt to receive this prestigious certification. The award was
presented during the "Harvesting Success Stories of Sustainable Urban Development in Egypt"
event, organized by the Housing and Building National Research Center (HBRC) under the patronage of
the Ministry of Housing, Utilities and Urban Communities.
The first phase of Jadinah is an integrated residential community spanning 300 acres in New Heliopolis.
The project received this certification in recognition of its commitment to applying the highest standards
of sustainability in planning, design, and construction, in full compliance with the requirements of the
Green Pyramid Rating System. This achievement reflects Heliopolis Housing and Development
Company's leadership in adopting green building principles and promoting sustainable urban
development.
As part of the Company's digital transformation strategy, Heliopolis Housing and Development also
announced the signing of a strategic partnership with e& Business to implement the digital infrastructure
for the Jadinah project. The partnership includes the provision of Triple Play services, Internet of
Things (IoT) solutions, and the development of a smart application for New Heliopolis residents,
offering a comprehensive suite of digital services to support the city's development in line with the latest
smart city standards.
Commenting on the achievement, Dr. Eng. Sameh El Sayed, Managing Director and Chief Executive
Officer of Misr Al Gadida, said:
"Receiving the Gold Certification under the Green Pyramid Rating System for the Jadinah project
represents another significant milestone that reflects our commitment to implementing the highest
sustainability standards across our developments. Our partnership with e& Business also marks an
important step in our digital transformation journey, supporting our vision of developing smart and
sustainable communities that align with Egypt's national development agenda and the objectives of Egypt
Vision 2030.
This achievement, together with this strategic partnership, reaffirms our continued investment in
sustainability, innovation, and digital transformation, further strengthening the Company's position as one
of Egypt's leading national real estate developers of smart and sustainable communities while creating
added value for both our shareholders and customers.

Half Year 2026 Operational & Financial Highlights

Gross sales of EGP 23.5 billion, up 201% year-on-year

Revenues amounted to EGP 6 billion, up by 25% year-on-year

Net Cash collections of EGP 10.2 billion, up by 18% year-on-year

Gross profit stood at EGP 1.6 billion, with a gross profit margin of 27%

Operating profit recorded EGP 942 million, implying an operating profit margin of 16%

Net profit after tax recorded EGP 834 million, delivering a net profit margin of 14%

Commenting on the results, Ayman Amer, SODIC's General Manager, said, "We are happy to report a solid set of results for the first half of 2026, reflecting robust growth across revenues, deliveries, sales, and collections. This growth is a testament to the company's commitment to its customers and, in turn, the customers' continuous trust and loyalty to the brand. We are also excited to celebrate the unveiling of the first Nobu Residences in Egypt, the lifestyle-led world-class offering in Ogami, our newest signature development on the North Coast."

Key Corporate Highlights

April 28: SODIC signed an Escrow Account Contract with Banque Misr and Midar for Eastvale Development in New Cairo.

June 19: SODIC and Nobu Hospitality introduce the first Nobu Residences in Egypt, unveiled by Robert De Niro as part of Nobu's landmark expansion in the country

June 24th: SODIC celebrated the opening of Nobu New Cairo at Eastown District New Cairo (EDNC), attended by Chef Nobu Matsuhisa.

Operational Review

Half Year Ended June 30th, 2026

Gross Sales

Gross sales reached EGP 23.5 billion, an increase of 201% over EGP 7.8 billion of gross sales recorded during the first half of 2025.

Collections

Net cash collections reached EGP 10.2 billion for the period, representing an 18.6% increase compared to collections of EGP 8.6 billion recorded during the first half of 2025

EGX 30 index closed at 53,633.92 points, recording an increase of 0.4%. EGX70 EWI
index posted 1.51% gain concluding the day at 18,124.84 points, while EGX100 EWI
index rose by 1.16% and concluded the day at 23,984.11 points.
EGX 33 Shariah Index rose by 0.29% and concluded the day at 6,047.31 points . EGX
30 index capped rose by 0.27% and concluded at 65,573.67 points.

Total market capitalization reached EGP 3,954.5 billion at end of day, representing an
increase of 0.46% over the day, as presented in the below table.

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The Tunisian Stock Exchange's main index, TUNINDEX, closed today's trading session down 3.47%, reaching 19,739.81 points.

Total trading volume reached 11.03 million Tunisian dinars, with shares of 8 listed companies rising and shares of 39 others declining.

SPA-

European stocks closed higher today.
The pan-European STOXX 600 index rose 0.35% to 646.90 points, while Germany's DAX index climbed 0.52% to 25,492.59 points.
France's CAC 40 index gained 0.63%, closing at 8,458.78 points.

(QNA)-


AM Best has affirmed Qatar General Insurance and Reinsurance Company's financial strength and its long-term credit rating, with a stable outlook.

The credit rating agency affirmed the company's financial strength rating at at B++ (Good) and its long-term issuer credit rating at bbb (Good).

In a statement published on the Qatar Stock Exchange website on Tuesday, the company also posted a 28.6% increase in net profit for the first quarter of the year.

Net profit rose to QAR 63.85 million, compared with QAR 49.64 million in the corresponding period a year earlier.

(QNA)-


Kuwait has issued a decree-law converting Kuwait Airways Company into a joint-stock company wholly owned by the state.
The decree aims to enhance the efficiency of the national carrier, strengthen its competitiveness in the aviation sector, keep pace with legislative and economic developments, and boost the company's flexibility in managing its operations.
According to the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), the decree provides for converting Kuwait Airways into a joint-stock company subject to the provisions of the Companies Law No. (1) of 2016, while keeping all its shares under direct state ownership and prohibiting the disposal of those shares through sale, mortgage, or any other form, unless approved by the Council of Ministers.
The decree assigns the Board of Directors of the Kuwait Investment Authority the powers of the company's ordinary and extraordinary general assemblies, while tasking it with selecting the company's board of directors in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Law and adhering to the Conflict-of-Interest Law.
In addition, the decree grants the company's board of directors broad powers to manage its affairs, including approving the organizational structure, issuing administrative, financial, and employee regulations, as well as procurement, tenders, and auctions regulations, without being bound by certain laws governing state property and public tenders.
This provides the company with greater flexibility in making operational and investment decisions and contributes to strengthening its competitiveness.
The move comes as part of Kuwait's efforts to modernize the legal framework governing its economic institutions, enhance the efficiency of the national carrier, and enable it to keep pace with rapid developments in the aviation industry on both the regional and international stages.

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Salem Al Suwaidi, Director-General of Ajman Chamber of Commerce & Industry, met with Ndhuma Richard, Acting Head of the South African Consulate, to discuss ways of strengthening economic cooperation, expanding bilateral trade and investment, and exploring opportunities for cooperation in the sectors of industry, tourism, and education.

The meeting was held at the Chamber’s headquarters, in the presence of Mohammed Ali Al Jannahi, Executive Director of the Member Support Services Sector; Abdullah Abdul Mohsen Al Nuaimi, Director of the Government Communication Department; and Fatima Yaqoub Al Awadhi, Head of the Investment Attraction Section at Ajman Chamber — as well as Themba Adolphus, Consul for Political Affairs, and Mfuwo Walter, Consul for Agricultural Affairs at the South African Consulate.

Al Suwaidi welcomed those in attendance and commended the bilateral relations between the UAE and South Africa, noting their continued development — particularly in the economic sectors and the growth of bilateral trade.

He affirmed Ajman Chamber’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with the South African business community as part of its efforts to consolidate international economic relations and build effective partnerships that support the growth of trade and investment.

Ajman Chamber presented the economic attributes of the Emirate and the most prominent investment opportunities across the sectors of industry, trade, tourism, healthcare, logistics, technology, and real estate — alongside its competitive advantages, foremost amongst which are its strategic location, ease of doing business, and integrated infrastructure.

The meeting addressed opportunities for cooperation in the education sector and the potential of the Ajman International Education and Training Exhibition as a leading platform for building academic partnerships and exchanging expertise. It also explored the participation of universities and educational institutions from South Africa in the next edition of the Exhibition in 2027 — supporting the expansion of cooperation horizons and keeping pace with the accelerating growth witnessed in Ajman’s education sector.

The two sides also discussed opportunities to strengthen cooperation in the tourism sector and to leverage the diverse tourism assets enjoyed by both countries.

The meeting affirmed the importance of enhancing cooperation, exchanging economic information and statistics, and organising specialised forums bringing together business owners and investors from both sides — contributing to the exploration of investment opportunities and the strengthening of economic partnerships.

Richard affirmed the importance of strengthening economic cooperation with Ajman, highlighting South Africa’s diverse economic attributes — including its infrastructure, diversified industrial sector, and rich natural resources — which open promising horizons for the Ajman business community to benefit from the investment and trade opportunities across various sectors.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Al Suwaidi and Richard exchanged commemorative shields and gifts.

(WAM)-


Yalla Financial Solutions on Monday announced that it has received an In-Principle Approval (IPA) from the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) for a Retail Payment Services (RPS) Category II License, in accordance with the CBUAE's Retail Payment Services and Card Schemes Regulation.

The In-Principle Approval marks a significant milestone in Yalla Financial Solutions' regional expansion strategy and reinforces the company's commitment to delivering secure, innovative, and compliant payment solutions that support the UAE's vision of becoming a global leader in digital finance and financial innovation.

Once the remaining regulatory requirements are fulfilled and the final license is granted, Yalla will be positioned to further strengthen its payment capabilities in the UAE.

Waleed Sadek, CEO and Founder of Yalla Financial Solutions, said, "Receiving the In-Principle Approval from the Central Bank of the UAE is a significant milestone in Yalla's journey and reflects our unwavering commitment to building trusted, secure, and innovative payment infrastructure in one of the world's most advanced digital economies."

He added that the UAE has established itself as a global hub for financial innovation through its progressive regulatory environment and ambitious vision for digital transformation.

"We are proud to be part of this journey and look forward to working closely with the Central Bank of the UAE to complete the remaining regulatory requirements and obtain the final Retail Payment Services Category II License," Sadek said.

(WAM)-


Etihad Credit Bureau, the UAE's federal entity for credit information and data-driven insights, has expanded the scope of information available within UAE credit reports through the inclusion of Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) account information from leading providers Tabby and Tamara, effective July 2026.

The enhancement reflects the continued evolution of the UAE's financial services landscape and the growing adoption of flexible consumer financing solutions.

By incorporating BNPL data into credit reports, Etihad Credit Bureau is broadening the scope of information available, enabling more informed credit decisions for existing borrowers, bringing new-to-credit customers into the credit ecosystem, and creating pathways for long-term financial empowerment.

The addition of BNPL account information will apply to both existing and new customers of Tabby and Tamara in the UAE and will include relevant historical transactions. This enhancement marks an important step towards providing a more comprehensive view of consumers' financial obligations, enabling lenders and authorised entities to conduct more robust risk assessments.

Commenting on the initiative, Marwan Ahmad Lutfi, Director General of Etihad Credit Bureau, said:

“At Etihad Credit Bureau, we remain committed to strengthening the UAE's credit reporting ecosystem by continuously enhancing the quality, depth, and relevance of the information available through our products and services. As financial services evolve and new forms of consumer financing gain wider adoption, it is important that credit reports provide a broad view of an individual's financial commitments.”

Hosam Arab, CEO and Co-founder of Tabby, said: "Responsible lending starts with a clear view of a person's finances, and we have always underwritten in real time to make credit more accessible. For the millions of customers who use Tabby responsibly, this means their track record can now contribute to their broader financial standing."

Sagar Shah, General Manager, UAE, Tamara, said:"As a fintech platform serving millions across the region, trust is at the core of everything we do at Tamara. This initiative reinforces our commitment by supporting greater transparency and creating more opportunities for people to participate in the financial system."

The initiative forms part of Etihad Credit Bureau's ongoing efforts to collaborate with financial institutions, micro-financing lenders, fintech companies, and other data providers to enhance the breadth, depth, and quality of information available through its products and services, supporting a more inclusive and resilient financial ecosystem in the UAE.

(WAM)-


The Project Finance Committee of the Sharjah Foundation to Support Pioneering Entrepreneurs (RUWAD), of Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD), held its third meeting in 2026, chaired by Hamad Al Mahmoud, Chairman of the SEDD.

Held at the SEDD’s headquarters, the Project Finance Committee reviewed the approved project funding balance for 2026 and a summary of funding decisions issued through the institution's direct funding program and indirect funding through banks.

Hamda Al Hammadi, a member of the Technical Committee for Project Financing, presented the list of projects that submitted funding requests and requested reconsideration of previous decisions issued regarding a group of projects, and the necessary decisions were made.

The committee approved funding for three new entrepreneurial projects with a total funding value of AED1.577 million. This included funding for an industrial project worth AED400,000, a project in the professional sector specialising in issuing quality, evaluation, and standards certificates worth AED177,000, and a third joint project between five entrepreneurs in the hospitality sector worth AED1 million.

The total number of projects that have received funding approvals from the committee during 2026 until the end of July is 7 projects, with a total funding value of AED3.2 million.

(WAM)-


Global electric vehicle registrations continued to rise in the first half of the year, but growth slowed sharply, according to a study by consultancy PwC covering 43 major markets.

Around 6.6 million fully battery-powered electric vehicles, or BEVs, were newly registered, up 9 percent from the same period last year. While that still represents growth, the pace has slowed considerably. Registrations had risen by more than a third in the first half of 2025 and by almost a third over the whole of last year.

China was the main factor behind the slowdown. The world's largest electric vehicle market by far shrank by 5 percent in the first half of the year to just under 3.6 million BEVs, according to PwC.

However, registrations edged up again in the second quarter. As the overall car market contracted at the same time, fully electric vehicles accounted for 44 percent of all new registrations in China during the quarter.

Electric vehicle registrations also declined in the United States. Around 460,000 BEVs were registered in the first half of the year, down 22 percent from the same period in 2025. Fully electric vehicles accounted for just 6 percent of the US market.

(WAM)-

China's electronics industry posted a 96.9 percent year-on-year increase in profits in the first half (H1) of 2026, contributing 8.5 percentage points to the overall profit growth of major industrial firms, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said on Monday.

Driven by the wide adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and growing demand for computing power, profits of computer manufacturing and computer peripheral equipment manufacturing (including mice, keyboards and monitors) surged 689.3 percent and 305.8 percent from a year earlier, respectively.

Within electronic device manufacturing, profits of integrated circuit manufacturing soared 2,579.5 percent, while those of discrete semiconductor device manufacturing, such as transistors and diodes, increased 31.2 percent.

In the electronic components sector, profits of specialised electronic materials manufacturing rose 209.7 percent, whereas those of electronic circuit manufacturing recorded an increase of 26.9 percent.