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The Benghazi Department of Antiquities is preparing to begin restoration and display work on a whale skeleton belonging to the baleen whale group, previously discovered in the Qasr Al-Sahabi area, approximately 100 kilometres south of Ajdabiya.
The department stated that it has formed a scientific team tasked with cleaning and reinforcing the skeleton to preserve its structure ahead of a scientifically sound and safe relocation to its permanent exhibition site.
Officials noted that the discovery will be a significant addition to the city’s future museum and will help raise environmental and scientific awareness among visitors and enthusiasts.
The fossilized skeleton is estimated to be around five million years old, dating back to the Miocene epoch, making it one of the rarest geological discoveries in the region.
The Egyptian composer is once again working with Marvel Studio following his score on ‘Moon Knight’.
News of a second season of ‘Moon Knight’ may be scarce, but it doesn’t mean Marvel Studios has stepped away from tapping Egyptian talent to tune up their work. Award winning composer Hesham Nazih has been selected to write the score for Marvel Studios’ newest animated series ‘Eyes of Wakanda’.
Nazih’s score for the 2022 live action series ‘Moon Knight’ received international attention for incorporating elements of Egyptian musical heritage into a modern orchestral framework, and has received multiple nominations and awards, including Best Original Score for a Television Series at the 2023 International Film Critics Award.
He also composed the music for Egypt’s Pharaohs’ Golden Parade in 2021, and has worked on a number of Egyptian blockbusters including ‘Kira & El Gin’, ‘Welad El Rizk’, ‘The Blue Elephant’, ‘The Originals’, and ‘Ibrahim Labyad’. He was the first composer to have ever received the Faten Hamama Excellence Award by the Cairo International Film Festival in 2018.
‘Eyes of Wakanda’ is part of Marvel’s animated expansion and is a spin-off from the Black Panther franchise. The series follows Wakandan warriors throughout history as they search for vibranium artefacts across the globe, and is scheduled for release on August 6th, 2025 on the Disney+ streaming platform.
Al-Dahas highlighted the significance of Namirah Mosque in Arafat, where the Prophet delivered his sermon during the Farewell Pilgrimage.
In Makkah, the holiest city in Islam, spiritual significance extends far beyond the Grand Mosque. Scattered throughout the city are historic mosques that witnessed pivotal moments in Islamic history.
Yet, amid the dense crowds and the rapid pace of modern development, many pilgrims and Umrah performers remain unaware of these sacred sites, quietly tucked away within the city’s expanding urban landscape.
Fawaz Al-Dahas, professor of history at Umm Al-Qura University, said that Makkah is home to several mosques of profound historical and religious value, yet they remain largely overlooked, receiving neither the media attention nor the organized religious visits they merit.
Al-Dahas highlighted the significance of Namirah Mosque in Arafat, where the Prophet delivered his sermon during the Farewell Pilgrimage. He said that this mosque was not merely a physical structure, but a sacred site where the foundational principles of Islam were proclaimed. He also referenced the Bay’ah Mosque in Mina, which commemorates the pivotal moment when the Ansar pledged allegiance to the Prophet, paving the way for the Hijrah and the establishment of the Islamic state.
According to Al-Dahas, the importance of these mosques transcends their geographic locations, reflecting their profound political and religious significance in Islamic history.
Al-Dahas shed light on Al-Rayah Mosque: “Located in the Jarwal neighborhood, where the Prophet’s banner was raised on the day of the Conquest of Makkah, a powerful symbol of victory tempered by forgiveness.”
He also drew attention to Al-Hudaibiya Mosque, situated west of Makkah, where the historic Bay’at Al-Ridwan pledge took place, an event referenced in the Holy Qur’an. He said that while the mosque still stands on the original site of the Treaty of Hudaibiya, it remains largely unknown, with few visitors aware of its exact location.
Mohammed Al-Joud, a Hajj and Umrah specialist, said that these mosques were not merely historical structures, but vital educational landmarks that enrich a pilgrim’s understanding of the deeper spiritual dimensions of Hajj. He pointed to Al-Khayf Mosque in Mina, where the Prophet and prophets before him are believed to have prayed, as a powerful symbol of the continuity of prophethood: “Yet, many pilgrims remain unaware of its significance outside the Hajj season.”
Al-Joud also highlighted Al-Mashar Al-Haram Mosque in Muzdalifah, which is mentioned in the Holy Qur’an, emphasizing that awareness of such sacred sites bridges the rituals of Hajj with their Qur’anic and historical roots, enhancing the spiritual journey.
Al-Joud also drew attention to Al-Kabsh Mosque in Mina, linked to the story of the sacrifice of Ismail. He explained that the mosque symbolizes the values of sacrifice and obedience, yet remains largely overlooked in media coverage and excluded from most pilgrimage programs. He described it as an essential part of a broader, interconnected network of sacred sites that trace the prophetic journey — from revelation to migration, and from peace to conquest.
Al-Dahas underscored the importance of launching awareness initiatives to shed light on these mosques and restore their rightful standing. He said that safeguarding Makkah’s Islamic heritage was not limited to preserving its prominent landmarks, but also required reviving these historically significant mosques, which once stood as pivotal markers along the journey of the prophetic message.
He said that reconnecting pilgrims with these sacred sites revived the educational and historical depth of Hajj, enriching the journey with a more profound, informed, and spiritually immersive experience.
source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)
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Scattered throughout the city are historic mosques that witnessed pivotal moments in Islamic history. (SPA)
On 25 April, Egyptian author Mohamed Samir Nada was awarded the 2025 International Prize for Arabic Fiction (IPAF) for his novel The Prayer of Anxiety, a darkly allegorical tale set in a secluded village in Upper Egypt.
This marks the third time an Egyptian writer has won the prestigious literary award, following Youssef Zidan’s Azazel in 2009 and Bahaa Taher’s Sunset Oasis in 2008.
Nada’s novel, published by the Tunisian press Masciliana, was chosen from a six-title shortlist.
In a televised interview earlier this year, Nada revealed that he had turned to Masciliana after three Egyptian publishers declined to print the manuscript.
Set in the fictional hamlet of Nag’ Al-Manassi — literally “the village of forgetfulness” — the novel unfolds in a reality suspended in misinformation and fear.
Its inhabitants believe a minefield surrounds them and are still at war with Israel decades after the 1967 conflict.
Their only contact with the outside world is Khalil Al-Khoja, a local authority figure who produces the village newspaper, controls access to goods and maintains the illusion of unending war.
When a mysterious object falls from the sky, triggering an illness among villagers, the local sheikh responds by creating a new ritual prayer—The Prayer of Anxiety.
The plot evolves against the backdrop of national icons, culminating in the 1977 death of Abdel-Halim Hafez, a singer synonymous with the era of Gamal Abdel-Nasser.
Told through eight character “sessions,” each beginning with a nightmare and dreamlike awakening, the novel functions as both a dystopian fable and a meditation on collective delusion.
Nada’s characters offer confessional narratives haunted by guilt and helplessness. The result is a richly layered text that explores how fear and propaganda can distort memory and shape reality.
Mona Baker, chair of this year’s IPAF judging panel, praised the novel for “transforming anxiety into an aesthetic and intellectual experience that resonates with the reader and awakens them to pressing existential questions.”
Yasser Suleiman, Chair of the IPAF Board of Trustees, highlighted the novel’s “gripping poetic language” and its “clever use of symbolism,” calling it a powerful reflection on life under tyranny and the mechanisms that uphold it.
Yet the novel’s success has not gone without controversy.
Some critics have criticized its handling of Egypt’s modern history, especially its allusions to Abdel-Nasser’s legacy.
Literary critic Reda Attiya publicly dismissed The Prayer of Anxiety as “poorly structured” and accused the prize committee of rewarding a novel that “takes aim at Nasser,” calling it a “conspiracy against Egypt.”
Others pushed back. Novelist Mohamed Mawafai likened such attacks to the 1994 stabbing of Nobel laureate Naguib Mahfouz by a young man who admitted to never reading his work.
“Both are acts of incitement,” Mawafai said. “There is no difference between one and the other.”
Nada’s novel joins a growing wave of dystopian fiction in the Arab world.
In a recent study of the genre, Syrian novelist and critic Shahla Al-Ogaily argued that dystopian literature has gained traction in post-2011 Arab societies to confront painful political and social realities.
“This genre represents the inability to forgive,” she wrote, “and a confrontation with the hallucinations and phobic fears that emerged after the revolutions failed to deliver on their promises.”
Al-Ogaily traced the rise of Arabic dystopian writing to the translation of authors like Franz Kafka and George Orwell, whose works explored the horrors of surveillance, repression, and modernity.
The influence is evident in Nada’s novel — from Kafka’s The Metamorphosis, echoed when a village sheikh wakes up to find his head missing, to Orwell’s 1984, in the depiction of total narrative control and a fearful, manipulated public.
At its heart, The Prayer of Anxiety critiques political, religious, and media-driven systems that manufacture obedience and stifle thought.
Through poetic language and surreal events, Nada lays bare the quiet complicity that enables authoritarianism.
One of the novel’s characters voices the core dilemma:
“How many shooting stars must fall before we gain a new memory? How many men must die in war for old women to tell a different story?”
Despite occasional tonal inconsistencies—particularly between the elevated language and the characters’ rural backgrounds—the novel’s literary ambition, conceptual depth, and striking imagery have resonated widely.
The IPAF, launched in 2007 with support from the Emirates Foundation, awards $50,000 to the winner and $10,000 to each shortlisted author. This year’s judges included Said Bengrad, Maryam Al Hashimi, Bilal Orfali, Sampsa Peltonen, and chair Mona Baker.
With The Prayer of Anxiety, Nada has delivered a novel that provokes, unsettles, and — crucially — invites deeper engagement with the structures of power that shape the Arab world’s past and present.
Many Sudanese are mourning the death of the famous poet and dramatist Hashim Siddig, who died in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Saturday morning. He was 77 years old. Siddig is not only famous for his epic poem on the 1964 revolution in Sudan, but also for his radio and television dramas.
His body was buried in Abu Dhabi, where he spent the last months of his life after he was forced to leave Sudan in September last year, because both his health deteriorated and the living conditions in Omdurman worsened due to the occupation of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) five months before.
Hashim Siddig was a creative, multi-talented poet. Millions of Sudanese knew his poems, in particular On a Strange Day, and Laugh, sang by famous musician Abu Araki El Bakheet, and other songs, sang by sang by the late very popular singer Sayed Khalifa. Many can recite large parts of “his immortal poetic epic” on the October 21 popular revolt against the military regime of Ibrahim Abboud in 1964.
Siddig was also an actor and playwright. His play Nabta Habibati [Napata, my love] caused a shift in the history of Sudanese theatre. He wrote pioneering contributions to radio drama, with series like Gatar El Ham [land of worries] and to television drama, in particular Teir El Shafag El Gharib [a strange twilight bird]. He also presented many radio and television programmes, the last of which was a series of reviews on world cinema.
Hashim Siddig taught generations of students at the Drama and Music College in Khartoum, after he graduated there himself in 1974 and studied acting at a British institution. He was persecuted and regularly detained during the military regimes of Jaafar Nimeiry (1969-1985) and Omar Al Bashir (1989-2019). His revolutionary poems circulated in opposition circles, especially his poem Gerentiya [rhinoceros] which left its mark on the history of the Sudanese’s struggle against military dictatorship.
Shukrallah Khalafallah, writer and television director, considers Hashim Siddig “a national and artistic symbol who represents the memory of a nation”. He told Radio Dabanga on Sunday that the people in Omdurman and in particular the Banat neighbourhood, where he lived, “are wearing a mourning dress today because Hashim Siddig represented the national radio, television, theatre, folk arts, acrobatics, film production, and the Artists Union for Omdurman.
“All of these ‘neighbourhoods’ have become orphans with the departure of Hashim Siddig – as he was a milestone in the history of many creative people. He taught them and learned from them things that cannot be obtained from books.”
Khalafallah recounts that a few days before the disastrous war broke out between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), on April 15 last year, he went to see Siddig at his home, together with Abu Araki El Bakheet. “Despite his health conditions, he insisted on receiving us lying on his bed. We discussed new projects together, the most important of which was a project to document his career. The interview was supposed to be held on April 16 and would be presented as part of the Eid El Fitr [feast at the end of the fasting month of Ramadan] programme, but the war cut off everything.”
He said that Siddig’s last wish, to return to Omdurman, was not fulfilled. “His long journey from Banat to El Sawra [district in northern Omdurman], from there to Atbara, from Atbara to Port Sudan, and then to the UAE left a deep wound, making his return to Omdurman his first and last concern.”
Global airlines are projected to record a net profit of $36 billion, with total industry revenue reaching $979 billion
Saudi Arabia and the UAE continue to bolster the industry as part of their economic diversification efforts
Middle East airlines are forecast to post the world’s highest net profit margin in 2025 of 8.7 percent, outpacing global peers, according to the latest industry report.
The forecast, released by the International Air Transport Association during its 81st Annual General Meeting in New Delhi, also projects that airlines operating in the Middle East will generate a net profit of $6.2 billion this year — slightly up from $6.1 billion in 2024. The region is also expected to earn $27.20 per passenger.
Globally, airlines are projected to record a net profit of $36 billion, with total industry revenue reaching $979 billion — below IATA’s earlier $1 trillion estimate, due in part to macroeconomic uncertainties and supply constraints.
The growth of the aviation sector in the Middle East reflects broader regional expansion, as countries such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE continue to bolster the industry as part of their economic diversification efforts.
Ilies is making a name for himself in the football landscape, especially with the Atlas Cubs.
Morocco’s rising star Ilies Belmokhtar has been named the best U17 youth player competing in France at the inaugural Golden Kid Awards.
Le Monde Du Foot reported that Belmokhtar is taking home a well-deserved recognition, rewarding his exceptional 2024-2025 season.
“For this inaugural edition, Ilies Belmokhtar truly shone. Gifted with genuine tactical maturity, he was one of the key architects of AS Monaco’s success in youth competitions this season,” the same source said.
Commenting on his new achievement, Belmokhtar commented that the award is a “great pride.”
“Especially to my parents, I hope they are proud of me,” he said .
The same sports-focused website recalled the triumphs the Atlas Cub has achieved with Morocco , including his U17 Africa Cup of Nations win in April.
The Golden Kid awards seek to recognize the best young developing players in France. The initiative is the fruit of L’Equipe journalist Loic Tanzi and streamer Isoline Almeida.
In May, Ilies Belmokhtar signed his first professional contract with AS Monaco.
Belmokhtar was born in Ivry-sur-Seine in 2008, and joined the AS Monaco Academy in 2023.
In April, the Atlas Cub was among the five players from the national U-17 team selected for the Best XI of the Under-17 AFCON in its 15th edition.
In addition to Belmokhtar, the players chosen for the Best XI include: goalkeeper Chouaib Bellaarouch, right-back Moncef Zekri, central defender Driss Aït Chiekh, and attacking midfielder Abdellah Ouazzane.
Morocco’s AFCON triumph came after a dramatic 0-0 draw against Mali in the final, followed by a 4-2 win in the penalty shootout, securing their spot in football history.
United Development Company (UDC), the master developer of The Pearl and Gewan Islands, has continued its global track record of accomplishments by securing three new Guinness World Records. This remarkable achievement further strengthens UDC’s position as one of the leading real estate developers in the region.
During an official ceremony, Yasser Salah Al-Jaidah, CEO of United Development Company, received the Guinness World Record certificates in recognition of these milestones, which include the largest outdoor air-conditioned shopping mall, Largest outdoor interactive lighting canopy, located on Gewan Island, and Largest pneumatic waste management network on the Pearl Island.
Largest outdoor air-conditioned mall
The Crystal Walk not only establishes itself as the largest outdoor air-conditioned mall with 7,360 square meters (79222.41 sq ft) but also impresses visitors with its exceptional design and amenities. A standout feature is the breathtaking crystal display, featuring over 10 tons of crystals and a 1000- meter crystal path, the longest in the world, creating a visually stunning environment that enhances the shopping experience.
Thanks to its state-of-the-art cooling technology, The Crystal Walk maintains a comfortable environment by achieving temperatures as low as 21- 23 degrees Celsius during the summer season. This ensures shoppers enjoy a pleasant and refreshing experience, regardless of the outdoor weather. Maintaining a consistently pleasant atmosphere, even during Qatar’s hot summers, is achieved through a cutting-edge district cooling system. This system offers significant advantages over traditional individual air conditioning units, Lower energy consumption directly translates to a smaller carbon footprint. The reduced reliance on individual air conditioning units minimizes greenhouse gas emissions, promoting a more environmentally friendly approach to retail development and Centralized cooling systems offer greater reliability than individual units. A centralized system is easier to monitor, maintain, and repair, leading to fewer disruptions and improved overall efficiency.
The 10 Crystal buildings were positioned in an oriented maximizing shading, providing a flow stream of airflow improving cooling while deploying a high-tech energy-efficient cooling system that conserves energy by at least 20% compared with conventional systems and this system mobilized a chilled water district cooling system that future reduce carbon emissions and footprint by at lowest 20 – 50% of the crystal walk.
With over 100 unique retail experiences that cater to a luxurious lifestyle, The Crystal Walk offers a diverse range of brands along with exquisite dining options. This combination of luxury and innovation transforms the mall into a comprehensive lifestyle destination, attracting a distinguished clientele.
Recently, The Crystal Walk has registered for the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) under the Green Ozone Rating for Design (GORD) certification. This commitment to sustainable design and construction is evident in features such as optimized building designs for energy efficiency and the incorporation of native landscaping and tropical landscaping with more than 13,000 tropical plants. This recognition highlights the mall’s dedication to environmental responsibility and efficiency.
The combination of luxurious offerings, innovative cooling solutions, and commitment to sustainability makes The Crystal Walk a pioneering destination for shoppers and a model for future developments in retail architecture.
Largest outdoor interactive lighting canopy
Beyond the cooling system, the Crystal Walk also boasts the world’s largest outdoor interactive lighting canopy, covering an impressive 3,689.55 square meters (39,713.98 square feet).
This architectural marvel seamlessly blends art and technology, providing functional shade during the day and transforming into a mesmerizing light display at night, enhancing the already captivating ambience at night. This record-breaking canopy utilizes state-of-the-art LED lighting technology, offering significant advantages over traditional lighting solutions:
l Energy Efficiency: The LEDs boast an energy savings of 20% – 50% compared to conventional lighting, contributing substantially to the overall sustainability goals of Gewan Island. This reduction in energy consumption translates to lower operating costs and a significantly reduced carbon footprint.
l Longevity: LEDs have a much longer lifespan than traditional lighting, minimizing maintenance requirements and reducing waste.
l Versatility and Control: The advanced LED system allows for dynamic and customizable lighting displays, offering unparalleled versatility in creating captivating visual effects.
The lighting canopy is more than just illumination; it’s an interactive spectacle. Over 1000 individual lighting points are meticulously coordinated, creating a mesmerizing array of colors, patterns, and effects. This sophisticated system integrates seamlessly with a state-of-the-art music system, synchronizing the light displays with music to create a truly immersive and unforgettable experience for visitors. The lighting choreography can be programmed to adapt to different events, moods, and times of day and interact with live music, ensuring a constantly evolving and engaging visual feast.
During the day, the canopy provides much-needed shade, enhancing the comfort of shoppers exploring the Crystal Walk’s unique retail experiences. This thoughtful design maximizes natural light while minimizing direct sunlight exposure. The combination of advanced cooling systems and intelligent shading strategies allows for a pleasant and comfortable outdoor shopping environment regardless of the climate.
This impressive interactive lighting canopy, alongside the other innovative features of the Crystal Walk, showcases UDC’s commitment to creating exceptional spaces where luxury, technology, and sustainability converge. It’s not just a retail destination, but a destination for experiencing technological innovation within a luxurious and environmentally responsible environment.
Largest pneumatic waste management network
Furthermore, the company achieved another global milestone with the largest pneumatic waste management network on The Pearl Island, utilizing an advanced Pneumatic system for efficient and sustainable waste collection. These innovative solutions reflect UDC’s commitment to smart environmental practices and sustainability, this system achieves fully operational 66 kilometers (41.01 miles) and more than 500 chute inlets.
The advanced pneumatic waste management system also brings a number of environmental and community benefits. It reduces vehicular movement, leading to a decrease in direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions in the area. By minimizing traffic congestion around The Pearl Island, the system helps maintain better road service levels. The system is the first of its kind in the country since the island’s inception, with an expanded network and a recent extension to Gewan Island. Moreover, the system promotes a convenient, clean, and sustainable lifestyle, encouraging residents to maintain a clean community.
On Gewan Island, the new waste management system takes advantage of the opportunity to segregate waste at disposal sites through a dual chute system. This initiative engages the community in waste segregation and aims to increase participation in recycling efforts. Currently, the recycling rate stands at 36%, highlighting the company’s commitment to sustainable practices and its ongoing efforts to improve environmental impact.
Commenting on this achievement, Al-Jaidah said, “This accomplishment reflects our ambitious vision and commitment to developing world-class projects that incorporate advanced technologies and sustainability principles. We are incredibly proud to achieve these Guinness World Records and will continue to deliver exceptional developments that enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors to The Pearl and Gewan Islands. We look forward to reaching new milestones that strengthen our leadership in the real estate sector.”
This recognition adds to United Development Company’s impressive track record of global achievements, having received numerous prestigious awards and certificates across various fields. Notable among these are the Crystal Residence GSAS 3 stars design and build certification, Green Organization Awards, Best CSR Awards, Golden Globe Tiger Awards, and Abu Dhabi Maritime Awards. These awards highlight the company’s continuous commitment to innovation and sustainability, reinforcing its position as a leader in the real estate development sector.
UDC continues its pursuit of further global achievements by developing integrated real estate projects that adhere to the highest standards of quality and innovation. These projects further cement The Pearl and Gewan Islands as premier destinations in the region, attracting visitors and investors seeking exceptional residential and commercial environments.
Model & Lifestyle Influencer Nour Arida Joins Serena Williams in Audemars Piguet Campaign.
When Audemars Piguet picked the faces for its 150th anniversary campaign, it chose icons. Nour Arida was the only Arab woman among them.
In the world of luxury watchmaking, Arab women aren’t often on the moodboard. But this year, that changed.
For its 150th anniversary, Audemars Piguet didn’t just call in the usual faces – it summoned a lineup of global icons. Serena Williams. Winnie Harlow. Tamara Kalinic. And, for the first time ever, an Arab woman: Nour Arida.
Draped in AP’s legacy, the Lebanese model-slash-creative-slash-cultural force owned the frame.
“I always try to push boundaries,” Arida says, in what might be the understatement of the year. “It’s like being part of a real family, being part of the AP family.”
The UAE maintained its position as the top destination for deals in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region during the first quarter of 2025, with a total of 63 deals worth $20.3 billion.
The UAE remains the preferred destination for foreign direct investment (FDI) in the region by 2025, accounting for 53% of the total number of incoming deals and 99% of their total value. Austria was the leading investor, accounting for 94% of the total value of incoming deals, driven primarily by a major deal in the chemicals sector.
This was stated in a report issued by Ernst & Young (EY) on “Mergers and Acquisitions in the Middle East and North Africa”, which indicated that the region recorded an increase in deal activity during the first quarter of 2025, with 225 deals compared to 172 deals in the same period last year, representing a 31% increase in the number of deals year-on-year. The total value of announced deals in the first quarter of this year also increased by 66% to reach US$46 billion, compared to US$27.6 billion in the first quarter of 2024.
role in deal volume and value, with 117 deals recorded, representing 52% of the total number of deals, valued at USD 37.3 billion, or 81% of the total value of announced deals. The first quarter of 2025 saw the highest cross-border deal activity, both in terms of volume and value, compared to the same period in the past five years, as companies increasingly sought to grow and diversify outside their home markets.
“We saw a steady flow of M&A deals in 2025, and the MENA region will continue to experience strong deal flow for the remainder of 2025,” said Brad Watson, MENA Leader, EY-Parthenon. “This strong deal flow is driven by regulatory reforms, policy shifts, and a positive macroeconomic outlook, including easing interest rates and improved investor confidence.”
contributed 48% of the total number of deals in the first quarter of 2025. This growth in local M&A deals is in line with the International Monetary Fund’s forecast of 3.6% GDP growth for the Middle East and North Africa region this year, supported by the strong momentum of M&A activity around the world. Companies are re-aligning their strategies to better meet the needs of diversification, digital transformation, and the integration of emerging technologies.
He stressed that the UAE maintained its position as the top destination in the Middle East and North Africa region in the first quarter of 2025, recording 63 deals worth a total of USD 20.3 billion. Kuwait ranked second in terms of deal revenue, with USD 2.3 billion, driven by two major deals in the diversified industrial products and energy and utilities sectors.
During the first three months of 2025, Canada attracted the highest value of outbound deals from Middle Eastern and North African investors, at US$6.4 billion, while the United States remained the preferred target destination in terms of the number of deals.
number of deals in the first quarter of 2025, while the value of deals increased significantly to USD 8.7 billion, compared to USD 1.69 billion in the first quarter of 2024.
The technology sector led local mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region during the first quarter of 2025, contributing 37% of the total value of local deals and 27% of the total number of deals.
Inter-regional deals involving the UAE, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia accounted for 83% of the total value of local deals and 56% of the total number, highlighting the strong activity of cross-regional mergers and acquisitions, particularly in the technology, industrial, and real estate sectors.
foreign direct investment (FDI) during the first few months of 2025, with the number of inbound deals increasing by 21% and their value rising to USD 17.6 billion, compared to USD 2.5 billion in the first quarter of 2024.
The report indicated a 63% increase in the number of deals issued during the first three months of 2025 compared to the first quarter of 2024, reaching USD 19.7 billion, contributing 43% of the total deal value. The UAE and Saudi Arabia topped the list of deals issued from the Middle East and North Africa region, accounting for 77% of the total number of deals and 94% of their total value.
Anil Menon, MENA M&A and Capital Markets Leader, EY-Parthenon, said: “The MENA deal market has remained resilient, and the MENA deal pipeline for the rest of 2025 is promising and strong, with increased activity expected in the consumer, technology, and energy sectors. Artificial intelligence will drive fundamental value shifts, as we see significant capital allocation in technology.”
