As per ADREC, sales and purchases totalled AED50.97 billion through 8,940 transactions, reflecting a 228.6% increase in value and a 134% rise in volume compared to Q1 2025. Mortgage transactions also reached AED 15.03 billion through 4,578 transactions, representing a 53.4% increase in value and a 48.8% rise in volume year-on-year.

Hudayriyat Island was the leading area for real estate transactions, recording deals amounting to approximately AED 11.97 billion. It was followed by Reem Island, with AED 9.45 billion, and Saadiyat Island, with AED 8.8 billion, while Yas Island recorded activity exceeding AED 5.5 billion in transactions.

“This quarter’s performance is a clear reflection of the confidence Abu Dhabi continues to earn from investors both locally and internationally. Reaching a record level of activity is not only a sign of demand, but it also signals a market that is becoming more disciplined, with a clear focus on long-term investment,” said Rashed Al Omaira, Director General of ADREC.

“Our role as ADREC is to ensure this growth is supported through consistent oversight and a regulatory framework that upholds trust and accountability across the sector. This is what gives Abu Dhabi its strength. It is not about short-term momentum, but a market built on strong fundamentals, positioning it as a reliable investment destination,” the official added.

Despite regional volatilities, market indicators continue to show sustained demand across the UAE capital’s real estate sector, with leasing activity maintaining strong growth into March.

“The repeat lease price index recorded a 16% annual increase compared to March 2025, underscoring continued demand from end users and investors,” ADREC noted.

To address the strong demand outpacing supply, the market has been supported by a growing pipeline. Some 16 new real estate projects got registered during Q1 2026, a 60% increase compared to the same period in 2025.

“Residential supply in the Abu Dhabi region is projected to increase by 10,272 units in 2026, rising from 314,976 to 325,248, representing annual growth of 3.3%. Supply is projected to grow further in 2027, reaching 333,564 units. This reflects a market that continues to expand on solid foundations,” ADREC said.

Another salient point of ADREC’s report was the exceptional growth seen in the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) domain, as total investments reached AED 8.27 billion, marking a 423% increase compared to the Q1 2025 and equivalent to the total figure recorded during 2025. Investors from 99 nationalities contributed to this performance, up from 68 nationalities last year.

“Foreign investment activity remained strong within investment zones, accounting for approximately 84% of total investment value, surpassing AED 36.4 billion out of a total AED 43.59 billion. This represents a 242% increase compared to the same period last year, with key contributing markets including the United Kingdom, India, the Russian Federation, China, Jordan, France, and Egypt,” ADREC concluded.

The post Abu Dhabi records USD 18 billion in Q1 property transactions appeared first on International Finance.

The strategy, named CI Morningstar International Value Index ETF (VXM), uses a factor-based approach to invest in undervalued companies in developed markets outside the United States and Canada.

“The ETF has a strong track record, ranking number one out of all mutual funds and ETFs in the Morningstar International Equity Category based on total returns over the one, five and 10-year periods ending February 28, 2026. The ETF is offered in Canadian dollar Hedged Common Units and Unhedged Common Units,” CI GAM said.

The ETF is currently available in formats like a mutual fund (CI Morningstar International Value Hedged Index Fund, which invests in Hedged Common Units of the ETF and is available in mutual fund Series A, F, I and P units) and ETF series (Unhedged USD Common Units, which have started trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange).

“Market developments over the past 15 months have underscored the importance of diversifying investor portfolios beyond the United States and Canada. CI Morningstar International Value Index ETF is a compelling choice for investors seeking robust international content for their portfolios due to its well-constructed, multi-factor approach and exceptional long-term outperformance. The ETF’s value orientation also makes it a solid complement to growth-oriented US portfolios,” said Jennifer Sinopoli, Executive Vice-President and Head of Distribution for CI GAM.

“By providing expanded access to this proven strategy, we’re giving Canadian investors more options to build resilient portfolios,” the official added.

“The VXM strategy focuses on undervalued international companies by providing diversification across regions and investment styles. A value-based international portfolio provides an excellent diversifier for growth-oriented North American large-caps. It further capitalises on current attractive valuations of select companies in international markets,” CI GAM noted.

The VXM strategy also uses a systematic factor-based approach that screens for traditional value metrics while avoiding value traps (firms with weakening fundamentals), apart from providing a portfolio well diversified by country, sector and market cap, as it includes small and medium-sized companies, along with large caps.

The post CI GAM expands customer access to international equity strategy appeared first on International Finance.

BRVM, a stock exchange headquartered in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, is a member of the World Federation of Exchanges (WFE), apart from being a participant in the African Exchanges Linkage Project (AELP). It is also the world’s first fully integrated regional stock exchange, serving the eight member states of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU): Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo.

According to BRVM, “As global capital looks beyond traditional markets, the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) is fast emerging as a credible destination for diversified, growth-oriented investment. BRVM Investment Days brings together policymakers, issuers and investors, offering a clear view of capital markets and portfolio opportunities across the region. The BRVM enters 2026 on the back of sustained momentum. Over the past five years, the BRVM Composite Index has nearly doubled, rising by 99.15%, with a further 25.26% gain in 2025 despite global uncertainty. Market capitalisation has reached CFA 24,781 billion (approximately $40 billion), representing 18.37% of WAEMU GDP. Returns remain above 8% on equities and around 6% on bonds. WAEMU’s economic growth, estimated at 6.7% in 2025, combined with a reduction in budget deficits, creates a favourable macroeconomic environment. This stability, coupled with a dynamic and well-regulated financial market, offers US investors a unique opportunity to gain exposure to one of Africa’s most promising regions.”

“The BRVM is no longer a frontier story — it is a market delivering consistent performance with expanding access. For investors looking beyond traditional markets, WAEMU offers a rare combination of growth, returns and increasing liquidity,” said Dr. Edoh Kossi Amenounve, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the BRVM.

He listed out recent developments around BRVM, including new listings like the Banque Internationale pour l’Industrie et le Commerce du Benin (BIIC), enhanced disclosure standards and the rollout of new instruments such as derivatives, ETFs and ESG-linked indices, that have consolidated the stock exchange’s already dominated position further. Sustainable finance is also gaining traction, with five green bond issuances raising close to CFA 170 billion.

Dr. Amenounve continued, “At the same time, the BRVM is expanding access through its participation in the African Exchanges Linkage Project (AELP), improving cross-border market access and broadening investor reach across African markets. BRVM Investment Days offers investors direct access to the institutions and issuers shaping the region’s markets. It is an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the fundamentals and see where capital can be best deployed with confidence.”

BRVM Investment Days 2026 will bring together institutional investors, investment advisors, corporate advisors, bankers, policymakers and market participants from across WAEMU and the diaspora. The previous successful editions in London, Paris, New York, Dubai and Johannesburg attracted over 100 investors and financiers (in each city).

The New York chapter will host prominent events such as a panel discussion on ’WAEMU Economic Outlook — Integration, Industrialisation & Investment Opportunities,’ which will cover the West African region’s macroeconomic outlook, fiscal and monetary frameworks, and investment priorities.

Also, banking executives will discuss their approach to sourcing capital for regional issuers, apart from outlining the sectors and types of securities presenting investment opportunities, and sharing their perspectives on how local capital markets are developing and becoming increasingly attractive to international investors.

Another panel discussion, titled ’Capital Markets & Financial Innovation — Green Finance & Infrastructure Instruments’, will explore emerging asset classes and financial instruments supporting infrastructure and sustainable investment across WAEMU. Speakers will discuss opportunities for international investors, including infrastructure financing vehicles, green finance instruments, and cross-border investment structures.

The post BRVM Investment Days 2026 comes to New York: All you need to know appeared first on International Finance.

Antony Froggatt, Senior Director for Aviation, Climate, Energy, and Shipping at T&E, a Brussels-based NGO advocating clean transport and energy, told International Finance, “Many forecasters, such as the IMF (If energy prices sustain just a 10% increase over one year, this would add 0.4 percentage point to inflation and slow economic growth by 0.1%-0.2%,) and Fitch, suggest that higher energy prices will negatively affect global inflation and reduce global growth. The extent of these will depend on how high prices get, and how long they remain high.”

Jan Rosenow, Professor of Energy and Climate Policy at Oxford University and Senior Associate at Cambridge University, said, “The short-term pain is real. Higher inflation, squeezed household budgets, and recession risk in energy-intensive economies. But the adjustment mechanisms are also kicking in: strategic reserve releases, demand destruction, and accelerated supply from non-Gulf producers. The deeper concern is duration. A shock that lasts months reshapes investment decisions in ways that a spike lasting weeks does not.”

Clean energy pivot: A Must For Asia Now

In 2026, Asia has become the Europe of 2022. Back then, Russia, in response to the Western sanctions for the Ukraine war, significantly cut natural gas supplies to the continent, resulting in high energy prices and a cost-of-living crisis. Asia, which buys more than 80% of the crude that transits the Strait of Hormuz, is now facing an “energy emergency.”

This could prompt Asia to have a re-look at renewables and initiatives to future- proof both its energy security and economic outlook.

Froggatt commented, “I would argue that renewables have been a necessity for some time, and the economic case for them is even stronger now. As far back as 2020, the International Energy Agency called solar PV the ‘cheapest source of electricity in history’. Since then, the costs of not only renewables (solar and wind), but also storage options, particularly batteries, have continued to fall.”

Rosenow remarked, “Each successive shock – 2022, and now this – makes the economic and security case for domestic clean energy harder to ignore. Renewables are not just cheaper in many markets; they are now the geopolitically safer choice. The question is no longer whether to accelerate the transition but how fast institutions can move.”

EV: The Best Starting Point

Stating that higher fossil fuel prices affect consumers’ cost of living and the balance of payments of importing countries, Froggatt believes episodes like the 1970s global oil price spikes, and the European energy crisis in 2022 will only motivate policymakers to accelerate their efforts to limit their dependence on fossil fuels for economic and supply security reasons.

“We saw this in the EU with the introduction of the ‘Fit for 55’ package in 2022 to accelerate the transition away from imported fossil fuels. However, the majority of these measures will take time to have an effect. If we want to really reduce dependency on fossil fuel, structural changes with new investment are needed, particularly in infrastructure, such as the grids and buildings,” he stated.

Rosenow, on the other hand, remarked, “The pressure is certainly there. Asia bears the heaviest volumetric burden from Hormuz disruptions, and governments that were already energy-insecure are now facing acute supply anxiety. I’d expect faster permitting of renewables, more serious electrification policy, and renewed interest in long-term LNG alternatives – though the pace will vary significantly by country.”

To deal with the “energy emergency,” Asian countries are advocating solutions like a four-day workweek and preventing unnecessary travel to save fuel. This might make electric vehicles more attractive.

Froggatt says, “I would assume that sales will continue to increase. Globally, only around 10% of car sales are electric, but in leading countries, such as China and Vietnam, we are already seeing over 40% of car sales being electric. Consequently, as the cost of electric vehicles continues to fall and charging infrastructure becomes more available and robust, the pace of sales growth will accelerate, especially in an era of high fossil fuel prices.”

Froggatt also pointed out that in Europe, car manufacturers have failed to develop smaller, low-cost EVs fast enough. This is part of the reason why Chinese vehicles are entering the EU market so quickly.

“I think it is incumbent on all car manufacturers to make EVs to meet a variety of consumer requirements, which include those that are most affordable,” he said.

So, Asia should focus on the affordability factor, introducing tax credits for consumers, apart from setting up intensive charging networks.

“There have been significant cost reductions already. And in many markets, EVs are close to or at cost-parity over their lifetime. Further cost reductions are needed to shift the market faster to EVs,” Rosenow noted, while adding, “The underlying drivers – policy support, falling battery costs, expanding model ranges – remain intact. Short-term, high fuel prices actually reinforce the EV value proposition. The risk to growth is on the supply side: critical mineral availability and manufacturing capacity. I don’t see a near-term peak, but the rate of growth will inevitably moderate as markets mature.”

The Continent Holds Promise

As per the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) Renewables 2025 report, two of Asia’s growth engines, China and India, along with the United States and Europe, were responsible for clean energy’s global expansion. Southeast Asia holds promises too. With an estimated 20 terawatts of untapped solar and wind potential (equivalent to around 55 times the region’s current total power capacity), the IEA sees the region as being more than capable of securing its energy security through the renewable route.

“The case for doing so has never been stronger. Energy import dependence is now visibly a security and economic liability, not just an environmental one. Southeast Asian economies, in particular, have strong renewable resource endowments – solar, geothermal, offshore wind – that remain underexploited. The Gulf crisis should be the catalyst for a serious regional rethink,” Rosenow said.

Froggatt too observed, “It is not just countries in Asia that can and should accelerate their use of renewable energy. Without accelerating deployment in the EU, the 2030 renewable energy target of at least 42.5% of energy from renewables will not be met. In developing countries, renewable energy is a way to meet rapidly increasing demand. Governments can take several steps to support the renewable energy sector. They can reduce construction risks and costs through accelerated planning, grants, soft loans, and other measures. Furthermore, they can implement support schemes, such as contracts for difference or feed-in tariffs, that create stable revenues. Governments can also help develop local supply chains, which provide additional price security and create local jobs. Finally, governments can set targets for renewable energy use, which gives confidence to investors.”

While noting that higher rates will raise the cost of capital precisely when deployment needs to accelerate, Rosenow advised, “The policy response matters enormously here: blended finance, public guarantees, and development bank support can reduce the risk premium that makes projects unfinanceable in the private market alone. Countries that get this right will attract investment; those that don’t will fall behind.”

Despite investing heavily in offshore wind, solar, and hydrogen strategies, Japan and South Korea still fulfil a massive chunk of their energy requirements through imported fossil fuels. Both of them are feeling the Hormuz pinch right now.

Rosenow said, “This crisis is a stress test they (Japan and South Korea) were always likely to fail. Both countries have made genuine progress in renewables but remain structurally dependent on imported fossil fuels in ways that leave them exposed to exactly this kind of shock. A serious reassessment of domestic generation capacity is overdue.”

Maybe, it’s time for Japan to shed the ghost of Fukushima.

Froggatt said, “Electricity generated from renewable energy is, under most conditions, far cheaper than that generated by nuclear power. In addition, renewable energy generation is much quicker to build. Therefore, although some countries may look again at nuclear power, I think that the higher costs and slowness to build – especially in countries that don’t already have a nuclear sector – will reduce the number of countries that actually start building nuclear power plants.”

Rosenow concluded, “The political and public calculus on nuclear in Japan was already shifting before this crisis, with several reactors being restarted. A prolonged Gulf disruption accelerates that conversation considerably. Energy security concerns now outweigh, for many policymakers, the post-Fukushima caution. I would expect Japan to move more decisively on restarts over the next few years.”

The post IF Insights: War in Middle East likely to accelerate Asia’s renewable energy revolution appeared first on International Finance.

To integrate Islamic finance into its domestic economy, the country will introduce several key instruments like Murabaha (financing customers through instalment credit sales), Mudaraba (profit-sharing investments or fund attraction), Wakala (providing or attracting funds via agency agreements), Musharaka (financing clients through joint business activities), Salam and Istisna (financing through advance payments for goods) and Islamic leasing (Ijara), which will provide property under Sharia-compliant lease terms.

To support the adoption of these tools, the government will implement specific tax exemptions. While value-added tax (VAT) will not be applied to the markup on goods sold via Murabaha (Sharia-compliant financing structure, often called ‘cost-plus financing’), income generated from investment deposits will be tax-exempt as well. Furthermore, Islamic leasing agreements will be legally equivalent to financial leasing and traditional leasing.

To ensure systemic management and compliance with Sharia standards, the Central Bank of Uzbekistan will have its Islamic finance council. Additionally, banks providing these services will be required to form their own internal councils.

The panel, while operating under the Central Bank of Uzbekistan, will be tasked to develop industry standards, draft regulatory legal acts, provide clarifications on disputed issues, review contracts and internal documentation and ensure overall compliance with Islamic financial principles.

The latest policy move follows the Central Asian country’s Senate’s approval of the law on the introduction of Islamic banking activities in February 2026, marking a significant step toward modernising the nation’s banking sector.

Officials also proposed additional plans, such as establishing bodies like the Tashkent International Financial Centre and the International Centre for Digital Technologies. These will infuse Islamic finance mechanisms into the country and help Uzbekistan position itself more competitively in the global economy amid rising geopolitical uncertainty and intensifying competition for foreign investment. Officials see the country’s natural resources, economic potential, and ongoing reforms as the main engines for creating favourable conditions to attract international companies exploring new markets.

Tashkent International Financial Centre will likely serve as a platform for new investment flows. By 2030, it is projected to attract an additional USD 20-25 billion, contributing up to 1% of Uzbekistan’s annual GDP growth, in addition to creating as many as 15,000 jobs.

The centre will operate under a special legal regime, incorporating elements of the common law system of England and Wales, thereby allowing its governing bodies to adopt independent regulations. The platform will also have a Tashkent International Commercial Court and an International Arbitration Centre to handle disputes, while providing investors with benefits like tax incentives, simplified visa procedures, the capability of freely moving and repatriating capital, and access to modern financial instruments, including digital assets.

The International Centre for Digital Technologies, on the other hand, will operate under the “Enterprise Uzbekistan Brand.” The centre will function under a special legal framework, expected to remain in place until 2100. Within a regulatory sandbox, companies will be able to test new technologies, pay salaries in foreign currency, and operate under international labour and data standards.

The digital centre will also focus on AI, data processing, research and development, and startup support. By 2030, it is expected to attract up to 1,000 companies, create over 300,000 jobs and generate export revenues of up to USD 5 billion.

The post Uzbekistan’s Islamic financial framework: All you need to know appeared first on International Finance.

Just over a year ago, the US economy was labelled the ‘envy of the world’ by The Economist, but today the country seems to be at a crossroads due to various factors, such as a slowdown in economic growth and a softer job market, which are impacting the growth of the American economy. Additionally, cost-of-living concerns and the Middle East crisis have further complicated the lives of the average American household.

Against this backdrop, Dr Conor O’Kane, Senior Lecturer in Economics at Bournemouth University, offers his assessment of the country’s economic health.

In an exclusive interview with International Finance, Dr Conor O’Kane discusses inflation trends, the role of the Federal Reserve, labour market shifts, and the broader risks shaping America’s economic outlook.

How strong is the United States economy right now, and what indicators best reflect its true health?

Many of the macroeconomic fundaments for the US economy are strong, with the US set to continue leading the G7 in key areas like economic growth and productivity. However, even before the recent outbreak of war with Iran, there was some economic data that would become a cause for concern if the trend should continue.

Economic growth for the 4th quarter of 2025 was revised down to 0.7%, a sharp and unexpected decline from the previous quarter’s 4.4% growth.

Also, the US unemployment rate was 4.3% in January 2026, a slight increase from the 4% rate in January 2025. The US economy added an average of just 49,000 jobs per month in 2025, down from an estimated gain of 168,000 a month the year before.

Inflation has been a major concern for American households. Do you believe current policies are doing enough to bring prices down?

The post-COVID period saw a significant inflation spike in many advanced economies. In the US, inflation peaked at 9.1% in June 2022.

In response, policymakers at the Federal Reserve aggressively raised interest rates with the figure going up from 0.5% in February 2020 to 5.5% in July 2023, which had the desired impact. Since mid-2022, inflation has been on a downward trend and was 2.4% in February 2026, closing in on the Federal Reserve’s target 2% rate.

However, the cumulative inflation increase in the US since 2020 is approximately 26%, so while the rate of annual price increases has indeed slowed down, prices are still significantly higher, and consumers are feeling this cost-of-living squeeze.

Job numbers often make headlines, but are they the best measure of economic success in the US today?

Traditionally, new job creation numbers have been one of the key metrics for the US economy. They are considered a leading indicator in the Federal Reserve’s interest rate-setting policy.

However, in recent years, we have seen periods of relatively strong economic growth figures without the accompanying job creation. One possible explanation for this ‘jobless growth’ is that firms are using AI and automation to improve productivity. For example, the data centres needed to power AI require significant investment expenditure but do not need many employees to actually operate them once up and running.

How much does stock market performance really tell us about the financial well-being of ordinary Americans?

First and foremost, the stock market is not the economy! The best way to think about stock market performance is as a forward-looking snapshot of investor expectations of future corporate profits.

Approximately 50% of US workers have their retirement savings invested in the stock market through their 401(k) savings plans, and hence there is a link between the markets and 401(k) holders’ wealth. However, another 50% of American workers have little or no link to the fortunes of the stock market.

The US stock market gained 19% in the period from January 2025 until February 2026. However, when compared to stock market returns from other advanced economies, the US ranks 21st out of 23 countries, with only New Zealand and Denmark indices doing worse. It is likely that the uncertainty surrounding the US ‘liberation day’ tariffs announced in April 2025 dampened investors’ expectations regarding the future profitability of US firms.

The Federal Reserve has taken several steps to manage inflation. Are its policies helping or hurting economic growth?

Like many central banks, the Federal Reserve focuses on achieving its 2.0% inflation target. When inflation rose to over 9% in 2022, the series of interest rate hikes did seem to get inflation and, more importantly, inflation expectations on a trend back towards its target rate. The expectation was that 2025 would see more rate cuts, but concerns over the potential inflationary impact of the US administration’s tariff policy meant the Federal Reserve adopted a more cautious approach to rate cutting. All things considered, I think the Federal Reserve policymakers have done well over the last few years.

With rapid advances in artificial intelligence, should Americans be excited about new opportunities or worried about job losses?

The answer to this depends on who you are. If AI delivers the kind of productivity improvements and cost savings that it seems to promise, this should improve the profitability of many US firms. This would also likely benefit many US workers with 401(k) savings plans.

However, if you don’t have a 401(k) investment plan, or you have a job that AI can easily replace, well then, you might be a little bit less excited about the potential impact of AI.

A recent Financial Times poll found that about 60% of Trump voters were concerned about AI’s rapid development, and almost 80% believed the technology required more regulation.

Given President Donald Trump’s stated policy goal of establishing US global dominance in AI, these issues have the potential to become a controversial policy objective going forward. I expect this, and the cost-of-living, to be a major policy issue in the 2026 mid-term elections later this year.

How vulnerable is the US economy to global shocks such as conflicts, trade tensions, or energy price spikes?

Many of the US macroeconomic fundaments are in a good place now, and that does provide room in terms of economic resilience. However, history shows us that energy-related supply shocks have often been the trigger for recessions. The current conflict in the Middle East has the potential to develop into a major global energy crisis.

Over the last two decades, the US has become self-sufficient in terms of its oil needs. However, while a spike in energy prices might be good news for US energy producers, the US public will likely bear the brunt of the increase in energy prices.

What are the biggest risks facing the US economy over the next two to three years?

Given where we are today, with the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the potential for a major energy price spike, you would have to say that the key risk over the next few years is stagflation. This is a relatively rare economic environment, characterised by stagnant economic growth, accompanied by higher inflation and unemployment. We last saw this in the 1970s because of the oil price shocks in 1972 and 1979. There is a risk that this could happen again, which should concern policymakers.

If you had to identify one policy change that could significantly strengthen the US economy, what would it be and why?

The policy change I would recommend is to end the chaotic tariff policy that the current US administration is following. It is causing enormous uncertainty and is damaging to American consumers, who we know are paying most of the tariffs.

It is also damaging to domestic US investment and FDI in the US, as firms are reluctant to invest in an environment where tariffs are regularly changed on the whim of the president or due to Supreme Court rulings.

The institutions that run the global economy were designed and run by the US. The free trade policy pursued since Bretton Woods in 1944 has helped many US firms become globally dominant in a range of industry sectors. Tearing up the global rules-based economic order, from which you have massively benefited, is not sound economic policymaking. It needs to stop.

The post Tariff fickleness tearing up global economic order tailor-made for US companies: Dr Conor O’Kane appeared first on International Finance.

Through the sandbox, the Egyptian government wants to promote the widespread adoption of fintech, expanding digital services in non-banking financial activities. Lumin Soft specialises in digital identity solutions, electronic verification and digital contracting technologies. It recently submitted a project that would verify the identity of non-Egyptians using electronic passports (e-passports) through Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, enabling the creation of an integrated digital pathway for identity verification via smartphone devices.

Islam Azzam, Chairperson of the FRA, told the Daily News Egypt that such digital mechanisms represent an important step toward facilitating the entry of foreign investors into the North African country’s market, enabling them to access non-banking financial services.

“Simplifying procedures for identifying and verifying investors’ identities through secure digital channels would help strengthen foreign investment flows into Egypt,” the senior official stated further.

Lumin Soft’s project relies on reading and verifying e-passport data in accordance with the International Civil Aviation Organisation Public Key Directory (PKD) standards, ensuring both data security and reliability throughout the verification process.

Azzam further added that adopting advanced technological solutions in financial services aligns with the government’s broader strategy to position Egypt as a regional fintech hub.

“Supporting digital innovation and strengthening the technological infrastructure of the financial sector will enhance the competitiveness of the Egyptian market and attract more fintech companies,” he noted.

The regulatory sandbox launched by the FRA serves as a key regulatory tool, not only in terms of supporting innovation in the financial sector and providing a supervised testing environment that allows companies to trial innovative business models and technological solutions before bringing them to the market.

“Through its participation in the sandbox, Lumin Soft will be able to conduct live testing of its business model within the regulatory framework. This includes creating digital identities using e-passports and integrating with the Azimut Investments Egypt platform, enabling investors to access financial products within a regulated supervisory environment,” Daily News Egypt reported.

Ahmed Khalifa, Executive Director of the FRA’s regulatory sandbox, said the project will help non-Egyptians access investment services across various asset classes in the Egyptian market while enhancing the efficiency and competitiveness of the non-banking financial sector (NBFC).

The post Lumin Soft becomes third company to join Egypt’s fintech regulatory sandbox appeared first on International Finance.

Free zones have emerged as a central pillar of Egypt’s investment ecosystem, offering a flexible and business-friendly environment that supports seamless industrial and commercial activities. Through a range of tax incentives and streamlined procedures, these facilities play a leading role in attracting both local and foreign investments, helping to enhance the national economy’s competitiveness and reinforce Egypt’s position as a regional hub for industry, logistics and international trade.

According to the latest government data, Egypt currently has 231 public and private free zones that are either operational or under development. In fact, international bodies like the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) have also highlighted the importance of these zones.

As per OECD, these free zones have emerged as a key driver of foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows by offering competitive incentives and state-of-the-art infrastructure.

On the other hand, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) reported in January 2026 that Egypt ranked first in Africa for FDI inflows for the fourth consecutive year, supported by investment facilitation measures like electronic company registration services provided by the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI).

Free zone projects enjoy benefits like robust legal protections, including safeguards against expropriation or administrative seizure except through judicial procedures, along with extensive exemptions from customs duties and taxes on capital goods, production inputs, exports and imports, as well as value-added tax (VAT) exemptions on domestic inputs and transit goods.

Fitch Ratings also highlighted the advantages, such as tax and customs exemptions, unrestricted import and export activity, and simplified administrative procedures, that are making these strategically located facilities lucrative destinations for investors.

In 2025, 152 new projects emerged, bringing the total number to 1,243, up from 2014’s tally of 1,091. Invested capital, on the other hand, rose by 30.3% to USD 14.2 billion, including USD 2.8 billion in FDIs, compared with USD 10.9 billion in 2014.

“Total investment costs increased by 66.5% to USD 38.3 billion, while exports more than doubled to USD 9.3 billion, accounting for nearly 20% of Egypt’s total exports. Free zone projects now employ more than 248,000 workers nationwide,” Daily News Egypt reported.

Discussing ongoing major projects within these zones, Leoni Egypt produces around 45,000 automotive cables daily across three zones, in addition to operating 15 factories and employing close to 6,000 engineers, technicians and workers. Gid Textile, on the other hand, runs five factories with investments exceeding USD 250 million and 300 production lines. Yazaki Egypt, a private free zone project, has invested around 30 million euro.

Egypt’s roadmap for the 2026/27 financial year, will further implement targeted tax and customs facilitations (including expanding the tax base by increasing tax compliance without imposing additional or significant burdens), which is estimated to further help the free zones. Apart from targeting a growth rate of 5.4%, the country will allocate EGP 90 billion for various economic activity support programmes.

The post As Egypt targets 5.4% GDP expansion, free zones emerge as key growth engines appeared first on International Finance.

Sara Naison-Tarajano, a 27-year veteran of the firm, most recently served as Global Head of Private Wealth Management (PWM) Capital Markets and Global Head of Goldman Sachs Apex, the firm’s dedicated family office business. Her appointment underscores Goldman Sachs’ commitment to grow its premier wealth management platform and the firm’s differentiated ability to harness One Goldman Sachs to serve clients. She replaces David Fox, who will retire after 27 years with Goldman.

Founded in 1971 and acquired by Goldman Sachs in 2003, Ayco works with many of the world’s largest companies to provide financial wellness programmes and executive counselling. The venture’s services include investment management, financial planning, tax preparation, and estate coordination, delivered through a team of experienced professionals dedicated to helping clients optimise their financial lives.

Sara Naison-Tarajano joined Goldman as an analyst in the investment banking division in 1999. She became a managing director at a global investment giant in 2012. In 2020, she was promoted to partner.

Discussing Ayco, along with BNY Pershing, the company will enter the client custodial referral market, a space previously dominated by Charles Schwab and Fidelity Investments, thereby challenging the latter’s position in the sector.

BNY Pershing’s programme will be launched later in 2026 under the name “BNY Advisor Match Service.” It will provide “one or two” advisor referrals to clients upon request based on criteria set up by the custodian, according to the venture’s market filing.

Goldman Sachs Ayco, on the other hand, has already started a referral programme with Creative Planning, Mercer Advisors and Wealth Enhancement, according to the registered investment advisors, which are also among the largest in the United States.

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Following its acquisition of AXA Investment Managers in June 2025, BNP Paribas Asset Management now manages over 1.6 trillion euro, covering all asset classes and operating with varied strategies and distribution approaches. The acquisition was done to make the BNP Paribas Group the leading manager of long-term savings for insurers and pension funds in Europe, in addition to fulfilling goals like excelling in private asset fund collection and becoming one of Europe’s top providers of exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

By integrating the expertise of AXA IM, BNP Paribas Asset Management, and BNP Paribas REIM, the new platform now offers a diverse range of traditional and alternative assets, enhanced global distribution and improved innovation capabilities.

“The business intends to use the group’s integrated model, including origination and a broad distribution network, and maintains established positions in alternatives, long-term savings, and ETFs. The new strategy centres on four areas: broadening its presence in alternatives, expanding active management and ETFs, growing insurance and institutional partnerships, and increasing its retail and wealth management footprint,” reported Private Banker International.

BNP Paribas’ asset management targets also include more than 5% annual growth in assets under management, along with ensuring a revenue growth of around 4% per year from 2025 to 2030. It further plans to keep operating expenses steady during this timeframe, aiming for a cost/income ratio below 60% by the end of 2030.

According to BNP Paribas Asset Management’s roadmap, its pre-tax income is projected to nearly double by 2030 compared with expected 2025 levels, while Return on Notional Equity is expected to rise from 48% in 2025 to over 65% by 2030. The company expects approximately 150 million euro in revenue synergies and 400 million euro in cost synergies by 2029 through steps such as fund consolidation, platform integration, and efficiency improvements.

While stating about the venture’s plans to use AI across its investment processes and client service operations, BNP Paribas Asset Management CEO Sandro Pierri told the Private Banker International, “BNP Paribas Asset Management is entering a new phase of transformation and growth driven by structurally supportive trends on savings and investments. With our 2030 Strategic Plan, our ambition is to strengthen our position as one of the most powerful European investment platforms.”

“By combining quality and scale across public and private markets and the strength of the BNP Paribas ecosystem, we are uniquely positioned to connect savers and investors with all the opportunities of the real economy. Our mission is clear: deliver sustainable and resilient results for our clients while helping finance the economic transitions shaping the future,” Sandro Pierri concluded.

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