Happy Wednesday everyone!

Today we are looking at these big stories:

📈 Aramex shares jumped as Abu Dhabi’s ADQ secured a 58% majority stake, strengthening its logistics portfolio.

🏡 Egyptians are making big moves in Dubai’s property market, with a 150% surge in purchases during the first two months of 2025.

💼 Women entrepreneurs in the UAE are embracing digital growth, despite funding challenges, with many turning to AI and eCommerce to scale their businesses.

Let’s dive in!

But before that: You can join our Whatsapp channel too to receive updates from the business world.

Aramex Shares Climb as ADQ Secures Majority 58% Stake

📰 What is it about?

• ADQ, Abu Dhabi’s third-largest sovereign wealth fund, has acquired a 58% majority stake in Dubai-listed logistics company Aramex.

• The stake includes 23% held by its subsidiary AD Ports Group and 35% acquired from previous shareholders via a voluntary tender offer.

• Aramex’s share price rose nearly 1% to AED 2.78 on Tuesday, bringing its year-to-date gain to 25%.

💡 Why it matters?

• The deal strengthens ADQ’s growing transport and logistics portfolio, which already includes AD Ports Group, Abu Dhabi Airports, Etihad Airways, and Etihad Rail.

• It signals ADQ’s aggressive expansion strategy, following its initial offer in January to acquire 100% of Aramex at AED 3 per share.

• Investors responded positively, boosting Aramex’s stock price on the back of the acquisition news.

🔜 What’s next?

• Aramex shareholders who didn’t sell during the offer period can still tender their shares until March 24 under UAE’s Securities and Commodities Authority regulations.

• The final count of tendered shares will be announced on March 28.

• ADQ, with $225 billion in total assets, is likely to further consolidate its position in key sectors such as energy, utilities, logistics, and healthcare.

Who are they?

Aramex: Founded in 1982 in Jordan, Aramex has grown into a global logistics and transportation company with a strong presence across the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and beyond. It became the first Arab company to be listed on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange in 1997, before later moving its listing to the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) in 2005.

Aramex specializes in express delivery, freight forwarding, logistics, supply chain solutions, and e-commerce services, catering to businesses and consumers worldwide. Over the years, it has expanded through strategic acquisitions and partnerships, reinforcing its position as a major player in the regional and global logistics sector.

The company has embraced technology and innovation, investing in AI-driven logistics, last-mile delivery solutions, and sustainability initiatives. With its acquisition by Abu Dhabi’s ADQ, Aramex is now a key part of a larger logistics ecosystem, alongside AD Ports Group, Etihad Airways, and Etihad Rail.

ADQ: Established in 2018, ADQ (Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company) is one of Abu Dhabi’s three main sovereign wealth funds, managing a diverse portfolio of strategic investments across key industries. With $225 billion in total assets (as of June 2024), ADQ plays a crucial role in shaping Abu Dhabi’s economic future.

The fund focuses on energy, utilities, healthcare, food and agriculture, transport, logistics, and financial services, holding stakes in major UAE entities like Abu Dhabi Airports, AD Ports Group, Etihad Airways, and Etihad Rail.

ADQ has aggressively expanded through acquisitions and partnerships, including its recent 58% majority stake in Aramex. It operates through subsidiaries like ADQ Development Holding and Q Logistics Holding, facilitating its logistics and transport investments.

With a strong emphasis on economic diversification, ADQ continues to drive Abu Dhabi’s non-oil sector growth, positioning itself as a key player in the region’s investment landscape.

ODEUM – A Cutting-Edge Content Studio for All Your Production and Social Media Management Needs

📰 What is it about?

• Odeum, the content studio built for modern media consumption, partnering with brands to deliver tailored content services while also creating original productions under the Augustus Media network.

💡 Why Choose ODEUM?

At ODEUM, we provide end-to-end media solutions to elevate your brand across multiple platforms.

• Video: Distribution, post-production, production, live streaming, series and show creation, animation, branded content, AI-powered video creation, CGI video creation.

• Audio: Podcast production, hosting, voiceovers, audio ads.

• Animation: Custom animation for videos, explainer videos, 2D/3D animations, character design.

• Originals: Development and creation of original content, including web series, films, and documentaries.

• Studios: Full-service studio solutions, including recording, editing, mixing, and mastering for both video and audio projects.

🔜 What’s next?

• Have a project in mind? Let's make it happen!

• Book a studio or discuss your next big idea with us today.

Follow ODEUM on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and X.

Markets

Egyptians are Leading the Growth Rate of Foreign Buyers in Dubai’s Property Market with a Spike of 150%

📰 What is it about?

• Egyptians are leading the growth rate of foreign buyers in Dubai’s property market, with a 150% increase in purchases in January and February 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, according to Better Homes.

• This builds on a 61% rise in 2024, as reported by Allsopp & Allsopp.

• Egyptians now rank as the fifth-largest group of foreign buyers in Dubai, after Indians, Saudis, Britons, and Pakistanis.

💡 Why it matters?

• Egypt’s economic shifts — including a 60% currency devaluation and interest rates above 28% — are pushing wealthy Egyptians to invest in stable assets abroad, like Dubai real estate.

• The UAE dirham’s stability, pegged to the US dollar, makes Dubai an attractive investment haven.

• Overall, Dubai’s property sales surged 40% in value last month, reaching AED 51 billion ($14 billion).

🔜 What’s next?

• Egypt may cut interest rates next month, following a sharp drop in inflation, potentially impacting future investment flows.

• Meanwhile, Dubai’s property prices declined slightly (0.6%) in January, marking the first drop since mid-2022.

UAE Women Entrepreneurs Face Funding Hurdles but Embrace Digital Growth

What is happening?

• Access to funding remains a major challenge for UAE women entrepreneurs, with 57% relying on personal finances and 43% turning to family and friends for business setup, according to Visa’s Women SMB Digitalization Index.

• Despite financial hurdles, women-led businesses are rapidly adopting digital payment solutions and leveraging AI to enhance operations.

• The findings were released ahead of Marketplace for Good, a Visa-Meta initiative hosted in Dubai to support women entrepreneurs.

Why it matters:

• Digital transformation is accelerating—67% use business social media accounts to sell, while 51% prioritize advanced security for digital transactions.

• AI adoption is rising, with 71% using it in HR, 68% in sales and marketing, and 68% in data analysis.

• Nearly 40% of women entrepreneurs plan to expand into new markets and develop new products or services, showing strong ambition despite funding gaps.

What’s next?

• Business growth and skill development remain key priorities, with many looking to improve eCommerce, payment security, and financial management.

• Visa and Meta’s Marketplace for Good aims to empower women entrepreneurs by providing resources and fostering innovation.

Global outlook?

• GEM 2023/2024 Women’s Entrepreneurship Report (Nov 2024):
  Women own 6.2% of established businesses globally, with 10.4% in early-stage ventures. One in three high-growth entrepreneurs is female, but funding and fear of failure (49%) hinder progress. Mentorship and AI education are recommended.

• Visa’s Women SMB Digitalization Index (2023–2024):
  In UAE, 70% of women SMBs are highly digitized; 66% in Qatar rely on online sales. Funding (80% personal savings) and high digital costs (60%) are barriers. Tech investment is a priority.

• Cherie Blair Foundation Survey (2024):
  Ongoing survey for 2025 report shows women in low/middle-income countries need digital tech and skills support. Early data emphasizes peer networks and literacy programs for growth.

• EY Entrepreneurial Winning Women North America (2023):
  Selected 23 women founders, highlighting mentorship and networks as vital support. Focus is on scaling women-led businesses in North America.

• Tracxn Report (March 2025):
  Over 7,000 active women-led startups in India raised $26.4 billion. Represents 7.5% of startups, showing growing financial support despite funding gaps.

🔍In other news…

• Oman sovereign wealth fund invests in US biotech firm Tidal Vision.

• Saudi Aramco Ventures leads $30M investment in US climate tech Spiritus.

• UAE’s Majid Al Futtaim plans to develop hotel, residential project in Egypt: Report

• Dubai to host first-ever International Sports & Entertainment Free Zone cluster.

• Abu Dhabi's flying ferries to create more than 1,000 high-tech jobs

The Latest from the Smashi Business Studio

Were you forwarded this email? Subscribe here