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Egyptian q-commerce leader Rabbit expands into Saudi Arabia, targets 20mn deliveries by 2026

Egyptian q-commerce leader Rabbit expands into Saudi Arabia, targets 20mn deliveries by 2026

Rabbit, an Egypt-based hyperlocal e-commerce company, announced its market entry to Saudi Arabia.
The company said it aims to achieve a target of delivering 20 million items in major Saudi cities by 2026.
The company, which has established its regional headquarters in Riyadh, said its operations are up and running through a network of 'dark stores' – fulfillment centers – across key neighborhoods in the city.
Ahmad Yousry, Co-Founder and CEO of Rabbit, said the company is delighted to bring its bleeding-edge tech and experience to transform the grocery shopping experience for Saudi households.
'We're building Rabbit Saudi, for Saudis, by Saudi hands,' he said.
Rabbit said it stocks up top household staples, and doubles down on local customer favourites.
'Typically, over 60 per cent of suppliers are local, and the company's strategy will see KSA heroes empowered in the countrywide roll-out,' it said.
Rabbit said it is also delighted to have recently added blue-chip investors such as Lorax Capital Partners, Global Ventures, Raed Ventures and Beltone Venture Capital to their existing investors, namely Global Founders Capital, Goodwater Capital, Hub71, Simple Capital and Foundation Ventures.
The company said it has built a loyal customer base by combining AI-powered recommendations with the convenience of rapid delivery.

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Egypt scrambles to secure energy sector as Israeli gas cut-offs disrupt power grid
Egypt scrambles to secure energy sector as Israeli gas cut-offs disrupt power grid

The National

time25 minutes ago

  • The National

Egypt scrambles to secure energy sector as Israeli gas cut-offs disrupt power grid

Israeli gas supply to Egypt was cut off again on Sunday night as the war with Iran continues to intensify, two government sources overseeing the matter confirmed to The National on Monday. Supplies had resumed on Thursday following a six-day halt since June 13 when Tel Aviv launched an attack on Iranian nuclear sites and killed top Iranian military officials and nuclear scientists. Israel shut down two of its three gasfields on the day it attacked Iran. Israeli officials said this was a precautionary measure taken in anticipation of an Iranian retaliation, which came later the same day. The enemies have been exchanging missile and drone strikes since then with large-scale infrastructure destruction and casualties reported on both sides. Gas supplies to Egypt and Jordan were halted and prioritised for local use in Israel, and on June 13 the Egyptian government forced fertiliser factories to halt production nationwide given the large amounts of natural gas they use. The government said it was prioritising the energy requirements of power stations, especially because of the heavy use of fans and air conditioning units in Egypt in summer. Israeli gas supply to Egypt resumed on Thursday, though in much lower quantities, the two sources said. This was because only gas coming from the Tamar field resumed. The larger Leviathan field was ordered shut by the Israeli energy ministry – Chevron, which runs the field, has ceased all production there since. However, supplies to Egypt were halted again four days after resuming, the officials said, underscoring that the halt came after the US's contentious intervention in the Israel-Iran war on Saturday, when it launched a series of air strikes on Iranian nuclear enrichment sites. The move has stoked fears of an intense Iranian response and a long, drawn out war in the region. Before supplies were halted, Egypt was importing around 1 billion cubic feet per day from Israel, accounting for around 13 per cent of Cairo's total daily consumption of around 7.5 billion cfd, of which around 3.8 billion is produced locally. To counter the unexpected drop in supplies, Egypt made arrangements to use three floating regasification units, two in the Red Sea and one in the Mediterranean, according to one of the sources. These will receive shipments of liquefied natural gas, regasify it and then pump it through the national power grid. The vessels were acquired late last year to help mitigate power cuts this summer by diversifying the country's sources of energy, according to a speech on Saturday by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly in the Red Sea port city of Ain Sokhna. Mr Madbouly was there to witness the first of the three additional regasification units being connected to the power grid. It is the second such unit operating in Egypt after one was put into service last year to help with energy shortages at the time. The other two are expected to enter service by next month, he said. Each of the ships has the capacity to produce between 600 million and 750 million cfd, which would easily cover the drop in natural gas supplies from Israel, according to multiple officials, including the Prime Minister. One of the units was previously stationed in Aqaba, Jordan, under a 2024 agreement between Egypt and Jordan to optimise gas supply. The agreement allowed Jordan to access Egypt's floating storage and regasification units via the existing pipeline network between the two countries. The relocation of the unit to Ain Sokhna at Egypt's request earlier this month means that Jordan will get its share of gas through pipelines from Egypt rather than through its own grid at Aqaba. Jordan's share of LNG under the deal is 350 million cubic feet per day, but it is now receiving about a third of that due to shortages, the officials said. Shipments of LNG have continued to arrive in Egypt, according to Mr Madbouly, and several are waiting to be unloaded on the floating regasification units. A stopgap supply of LNG was provided to Egypt on short notice from Saudi Arabia's national energy company Aramco. Additionally, some shipments were provided by commodity trader Trafigura, according to data collected by Mohammed Ragab, a financial analyst. He praised the government's handling of the energy crisis this summer. Cost-saving measures In addition to the diversification of its sources of fuel, the Egyptian government has also introduced a number of cost-saving measures including shutting off street lights in residential neighbourhoods and closing government buildings by 8pm. Mosques and churches have been instructed to turn off their lights when prayers are finished and billboard lighting was also turned off, among other measures. Despite these measures, power cuts have been reported in various rural provinces over the past week, according to one of the government officials who spoke to The National on the condition of anonymity. Mr Madbouly addressed the matter during a speech last week and said that this was due to maintenance work in preparation for the summer season. However, the official said that 'while the outages were not directly caused by natural gas shortages, the whole mechanism has been deeply disrupted by Israel cutting off gas so abruptly'. He added that 'switching to different sources of fuel will require structural changes to the existing mechanism that might cause more power cuts down the line'. As power cuts in Egypt look more likely amid the recent escalation between Iran, Israel and the US, there are growing fears in Cairo that a prolonged war might cause much deeper damage to its already vulnerable economy, particularly because of its heavy reliance on imports and investment. 'Interbank data shows that large amounts of hot cash were withdrawn from Egyptian markets in the days following Israel's attack on Iran,' Mr Ragab told The National. 'Though these numbers have started to rebound slightly, a prolonged war could very well result in the exit of larger amounts of cash invested in Egypt's short debt markets which would cause a similarly disastrous inflationary wave as the one that took place in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.' As the region braces for the next phase of the Israel-Iran war, Egypt faces mounting challenges in safeguarding its energy security and economic stability. While government efforts to diversify energy sources and introduce cost-saving measures have provided some relief, the abrupt disruptions in Israeli gas supplies have exposed the fragility of its energy infrastructure.

Strong consumer spending and evolving retail landscapes fuel economic resilience in the Gulf
Strong consumer spending and evolving retail landscapes fuel economic resilience in the Gulf

Zawya

time2 hours ago

  • Zawya

Strong consumer spending and evolving retail landscapes fuel economic resilience in the Gulf

UAE market is fragmented between affordable and premium brands, while KSA market is skewed towards mainstream brands with the value players picking up UAE/KSA: The Middle East continues to distinguish itself as a global economic outperformer, with the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia leading the charge. While global GDP growth is projected at 3.2% in 2025, the UAE is expected to grow by 4.0% and Saudi Arabia by 3.0%, with further acceleration anticipated through 2027. Consumers across these regions continue to demonstrate strong resilience amid ongoing challenges. This robust performance is underpinned by strategic international partnerships, balancing ties with both BRICS and Western economies, alongside targeted investments in digital transformation and a young, digitally connected population. Consumer Markets Show Resilience Amid Economic Transition Consumer spending remains strong across both markets, though increasingly value-driven. In the UAE, spending on Tech & Durables (T&D) from April 2024 to March 2025 reached $5.3 billion, marking a 2% year-over-year increase. Key growth categories include Smartphones, Media Tablets, Vacuum Cleaners, and Headsets. The Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector in the UAE also saw a 7% increase, driven by rising demand for Snacking, Beverages, Dairy, and Frozen Foods, with Personal Care spending up 6%. In Saudi Arabia, growth was more moderate but steady: FMCG rose by 3.3%, and T&D by 0.2%. Notable category gains include Petcare (+10%) and Snacking (+9%), reflecting evolving lifestyle priorities, while Paper Products and Home Care saw declines. Retail Channels Evolve: Value and E-Commerce Gain Ground Retail dynamics are shifting rapidly. In the UAE, Traditional Trade Channels outpaced Organised Retail, with FMCG growth of 10% versus 3.2%, while T&D saw balanced growth across both. E-commerce continues to expand its footprint. In the UAE, it now accounts for 30% of T&D and 11% of FMCG sales, up from 9% a year ago. In Saudi Arabia, online sales are also rising, with a 7.7% increase in T&D and a 1.4 percentage point gain in FMCG e-commerce share. 'The economic momentum we're witnessing across the Middle East, particularly in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, is a testament to the region's strategic vision and adaptability,' says Andrey Dvoychenkov, General Manager, NielsenIQ APP. 'Consumers today are more empowered, informed, and value-driven than ever before. We're seeing strong growth in both premium and value segments, and a rapid evolution in retail channels—especially online. For brands, success hinges on relevance, agility, and a deep understanding of consumer expectations.' Brand Competition Intensifies in a Crowded Marketplace The region's economic promise is attracting a surge of global brands. In the FMCG sector, Saudi Arabia now hosts over 10.500 active brands (up 5% YoY), while the UAE features 13,000 brands (up 6%). SKU counts are also rising, with 130,000 SKUs in the UAE and nearly 100,000 in Saudi Arabia. The T&D sector is similarly competitive; the number of active brands has seen great increase with 18% and 21% respectively in UAE and KSA. SKUs have also seen more than 50% growth across both markets. This creates a vibrant but crowded landscape, requiring sharper brand strategies and deeper consumer insights. Premium vs. Value: The Rise of the Strategic Shopper Middle Eastern consumers are increasingly discerning, balancing premium aspirations with value-driven choices. Both the UAE and Saudi Arabia recorded double-digit growth in premium and value FMCG segments, highlighting a bifurcated market. In T&D, value segments grew 6% in KSA and 3% in the UAE, despite the category's premium lean. This underscores two key trends: the rise of price-conscious decision-making and the growing availability of competitive alternatives. As the Middle East continues its upward trajectory, global brands are positioning themselves to seize the opportunity. But success will depend on a nuanced understanding of the region's evolving consumer landscape—from digital trust and pricing sensitivity to channel dynamics and assortment strategy. About NielsenIQ NIQ is a leading consumer intelligence company, delivering the most complete understanding of consumer buying behavior and revealing new pathways to growth. NIQ combined with GfK in 2023, bringing together two industry leaders with unparalleled global reach. Our global reach spans over 90 countries covering approximately 85% of the world's population and more than $ 7.2 trillion in global consumer spend. With a holistic retail read and the most comprehensive consumer insights—delivered with advanced analytics through state-of-the-art platforms—NIQ delivers the Full View™. For more information, please visit

OKX Targets US IPO After $505 Million DOJ Accord
OKX Targets US IPO After $505 Million DOJ Accord

Arabian Post

time3 hours ago

  • Arabian Post

OKX Targets US IPO After $505 Million DOJ Accord

OKX is considering a US initial public offering following its April relaunch in America, which came after the exchange paid a total of $505 million to settle Department of Justice charges for operating without a money-transmitting licence. The settlement comprised an $84 million fine and the forfeiture of $421 million in earnings, predominantly drawn from institutional activity. The Seychelles-based platform formally pleaded guilty to US anti‑money‑laundering and Know Your Customer deficiencies, marking a significant compliance turnaround. Its re-entry strategy included appointing Roshan Robert, former Barclays director, as its US CEO and establishing a regional headquarters in San Jose, California. The focus is on a phased rollout of a centralised exchange and the OKX Wallet, which supports 130 blockchains and a DEX aggregator with access to more than 10 million tokens. Insiders suggest that buoyed by regained US compliance and growing user demand, OKX is now assessing an IPO as early as the first quarter of 2026. Such a move would mark its shift from a privately held crypto entity to a publicly accountable company, increasing transparency and potentially assuring investors and regulators alike of its commitment to best practice. ADVERTISEMENT Industry observers note that OKX's ambition aligns with broader trends in the crypto space. Rivals such as Coinbase underwent similar transitions, leveraging IPOs to enhance visibility and unlock capital for product development. OKX's path, however, is distinguished by its heavier regulatory baggage and the scale of its US re-entry, which could either strengthen its credibility or raise fresh scrutiny. Market analysts highlight several factors that could influence the success of an IPO. These include OKX's ability to sustain compliance upgrades, the performance of its US exchange and wallet division, and the overall sentiment in financial markets towards regulated crypto firms. The firm's leadership anticipates that demonstrating stringent compliance and deep liquidity will be pivotal in securing investor confidence. According to statements from OKX's Star Xu, the exchange aspires to become 'the gold standard of global compliance at scale,' an ambition underscored by its decision to engage a compliance consultant post‑settlement. The timing of the potential IPO is crucial. Market conditions in early 2026 will determine valuation and investor appetite, particularly if macroeconomic headwinds or equity market volatility persist. OKX will also compete for attention with other crypto entrants, including those preparing to go public or seeking regulatory approval for spot Bitcoin ETFs. OKX insiders stress that success hinges on execution in several areas: maintaining licence approvals in multiple jurisdictions, expanding US user adoption, and integrating fiat ramps to bolster accessibility. The San Jose hub is positioned as a central node for regulatory engagement, staff expansion, and innovation, with the US team reportedly growing aggressively since April. Should OKX proceed with an IPO, it will signal a full-circle moment—from prosecution and penalties to listing on a major US exchange. The move would also put it in direct competition with publicly traded peers, raising expectations for quarterly reporting, rigorous audits, and adherence to US securities law. Regulators will likely scrutinise OKX's filings, probing its past compliance gaps and evaluating its new internal controls. Investors and analysts will examine user metrics, trading volumes, fee structures, and the viability of the wallet service as revenue drivers. The success or failure of OKX's US debut could shape the narrative for other non-US crypto exchanges contemplating public listings.

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