Al Dahra and the Government of Kenya sign MoU to develop large-scale irrigated farmland
United Arab Emirates – Under the patronage of His Excellency Dr. William Ruto, CGH, President of the Republic of Kenya, Al Dahra and the Government of Kenya have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Through this agreement, Al Dahra will lease and manage up to 200,000 acres of irrigated farmland in the Galana-Kulalu Ranch, with an estimated investment of up to USD 800 million.
This strategic partnership aligns with Kenya's Vision 2030 and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, which emphasizes enhancing food security and agricultural development. The potential project will be implemented in multiple phases over the next 10 years, subject to technical due diligence and to the completion of key national infrastructure projects. The project will focus on producing strategic crops key to Kenya's food security for domestic consumption within Kenya. Al Dahra's involvement demonstrates the company's commitment to sustainable agriculture and food security. Al Dahra will leverage its expertise in arid climate farming to support Kenya's food production and transform the country's agricultural landscape.
Eng. Eric Mugaa, the Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation said, "The Government of Kenya is committed to addressing food security through strategic partnerships with the private sector. We are pleased to collaborate with Al Dahra and believe this project will be a game-changer for enhancing Kenya Food Security Agenda and reduce the national food deficit. This is one of the largest Foreign Direct Investments in Kenya."
Arnoud van den Berg, Group CEO of Al Dahra said, "This partnership with the Government of Kenya is a significant milestone for Al Dahra. We are excited to contribute to Kenya's agricultural development and food import substitution through our innovative farming practices and extensive experience in large scale irrigated farming. The project is expected to have a positive impact on the Kenyan people, surrounding communities, and the agricultural sector as a whole. It will create jobs, support local businesses, and foster sustainable agricultural practices."
About Al Dahra
Al Dahra is a prominent multinational leader in agribusiness, with over 400 thousand acres of agricultural land in Egypt, Romania, Serbia, USA, and other countries, specialized in cultivation, production and trading of nearly 3 million tons of essential food commodities and up to 3 million tons of animal feed.
Serving a large customer base from Commercial enterprises to Government agencies, Al Dahra has a widespread geographic footprint, operating in over 20 countries and catering to more than 40 markets with a leading position in Africa, Europe and the Middle East.
For more information, visit www.aldahra.com.
For media inquiries, please contact:aju.thomas@aldahra.com
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arabian Business
9 hours ago
- Arabian Business
Saudi Arabia Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announces start of new Umrah season
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has officially announced the commencement of the Umrah season for 2025 (1447 of the Islamic calendar), beginning on Tuesday with the opening of visa applications for international pilgrims. As part of its ongoing mission aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, the ministry aims to streamline and enrich the Umrah experience. Welcome, Guests of Allah 🕋🇸🇦 The 1447H Umrah season officially begins today with the issuance of visas for pilgrims arriving from outside Saudi Arabia. Starting tomorrow, Umrah permits will be available through the #Nusuk app. #Ease_And_Tranquility — Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (@MoHU_En) June 10, 2025 Starting Wednesday, pilgrims from abroad can secure their permits via the 'Nu s uk' app, Saudi Arabia's centralised digital gateway for Hajj and Umrah services. The platform simplifies the process of permit acquisition and offers a suite of digital tools designed to support and guide pilgrims throughout their journey. The ministry affirmed that extensive operational and technical preparations were made in advance, in coordination with relevant authorities, to ensure a smooth and efficient start to the season. As part of its broader vision, the ministry is also expanding multilingual digital tools and awareness initiatives to better serve pilgrims. These efforts are designed to maintain exceptional standards of care and security, underscoring the Kingdom's dedication to those making the sacred journey to Makkah and Madinah.
Arabian Post
14 hours ago
- Arabian Post
Loyyal Expands Maharaja Club with Global Shopping Rewards
Air India has partnered with blockchain-based loyalty specialist Loyyal to allow Maharaja Club members to earn points on everyday purchases across key brands in the United States and the United Kingdom. The collaboration enables members to accrue Maharaja Points on shopping at major retailers such as Walmart, Victoria's Secret, New Balance, GAP, Victorinox and Alamo – marking a significant expansion of the airline's loyalty programme. Members now earn up to 99 Maharaja Points per USD 100 spent at Walmart, 310 points per GBP 100 at Victoria's Secret, 300 points at Victorinox, 45 at New Balance, 180 at GAP and 64 points at Alamo. These offerings are accessible via the Maharaja Club Partner Offers page on Air India's website, where members can select a brand and follow on-screen prompts to initiate their purchases. Shailesh Kumar Singh, Head of Loyalty at Air India, commented that the alliance with Loyyal 'makes it easier for our members to earn Maharaja Points on everyday essentials and shopping, without needing to fly frequently'. Meanwhile, Loyyal CEO Ashish Kumar Singh noted that the initiative 'significantly boosts the earning potential for Maharaja Club's members,' adding that it enriches daily experiences and complements travel benefits. ADVERTISEMENT The partnership follows a broader revamp of the Maharaja Club, which adopted a simplified tier structure, updated identity and enhanced customer features. Air India has added more than 50 non-airline partners over the last 18 months, supporting its transformation under the strategy and leveraging its Star Alliance membership. The move aligns with global loyalty trends, where airlines increasingly engage shoppers via retail partnerships. By enabling points accrual through non-travel spend, loyalty programmes become more relevant to everyday consumer behaviour, fostering engagement beyond flight activity. Consumers, meanwhile, gain tangible value even during non-travel periods. Maharaja Club's integration with Star Alliance further enhances its value proposition. As noted by Air India's own commentary, elite-tier members benefit from worldwide priority check-in, lounge access at over 1,100 locations, extra baggage allowance, and the ability to accrue and redeem points across the alliance's 25 carriers. These features remain central to the programme's repositioning. Industry analysts highlight that Loyyal's blockchain-based platform offers secure, transparent point tracking and easier integration of diverse partners. Though Air India and Loyyal have not disclosed technical details publicly, Loyyal's existing reputation in travel loyalty schemes supports confidence in seamless implementation. Under the agreement, Air India continues to broaden access to Maharaja Points across shopping categories. The move targets customers traveling abroad or residing outside India, reinforcing Air India's global outreach following its Tata Group-led transformation. In support, the programme emphasises that points can be redeemed for award flights and cabin upgrades through Air India or Star Alliance partners. The timing of the launch coincides with Air India's widened network with new interline agreements and route expansions, such as recent pacts with airlines like airBaltic, Cyprus Airways and Uzbekistan Airways, aimed at increasing global connectivity. As passengers gain more travel options, the value of earning and using loyalty points is projected to grow. As more household and lifestyle brands are added to the programme, members could diversify their point accrual even further. Air India has indicated that additional partners will be announced in due course, though specifics have not yet been released. Maharaja Club members benefit from streamlined user experience with clearly stated earning rates for each participating brand. For example, spending at Victoria's Secret yields 310 points per GBP 100, while spending at Victorinox delivers 300 points per USD 100 – figures that are prominently showcased on the shopping portal. Air India's alignment with Loyyal fits within its hospitality-driven repositioning under along with fleet modernisation, training investments, new routes, and enhanced premium services. The airline aims to appeal to international leisure and business travellers – particularly those based abroad – by offering points that can accrue through both travel and lifestyle spending. Industry commentators suggest that Loyyal's blockchain solution offers underlying benefits including transparent audit trails, fraud reduction and easy tracking of reward accrual from non-travel sources. This increases both partner and consumer confidence in the integrity of the loyalty ecosystem.
Arabian Post
14 hours ago
- Arabian Post
MediLink Therapeutics Taps Major Banks for Hong Kong Float
MediLink Therapeutics Ltd. is preparing to launch an initial public offering in Hong Kong, having secured China International Capital Corp., JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Morgan Stanley as its lead advisers, according to people with knowledge of the matter. The move comes as the clinical-stage biotech firm seeks to capitalise on growing investor interest in advanced tumour-targeting therapies and consolidate its platform of antibody‑drug conjugates. Founded in 2020 and headquartered in Suzhou with R&D operations in Shanghai and Boston, MediLink has developed a proprietary ADC technology known as TMALIN®. The platform facilitates precise delivery of cytotoxic agents to tumour cells, with the intention of widening therapeutic windows for solid tumour treatments. Its pipeline includes programs that have advanced to clinical stages in both China and the United States, supported by a Series B financing round of approximately USD 70 million in 2022. MediLink's strategic engagement of three underwriters reflects heightened confidence in anchor investors and broader syndication. China International Capital Corp. brings deep roots in Chinese capital markets and extensive IPO experience in the biotech sector. JPMorgan and Morgan Stanley add global banking heft and access to international investors. ADVERTISEMENT CICC itself is emerging as a top-tier sponsor for Hong Kong listings. It led or co-led 19 IPOs for Chinese corporates last year, raising USD 3.84 billion, positioning it as a dominant force amid market revival. The engagement of internationally renowned banks alongside CICC is likely aimed at boosting MediLink's valuation and widening investor interest both locally and abroad. While IPO details remain confidential, analysts suggest MediLink could seek a valuation in the mid‑to‑high hundreds of millions of dollars. That would reflect both the advanced stage of its pipeline and prevailing market multiples for ADC developers. Comparable biotech flotations in Hong Kong and the U.S. have reflected growing appetite for oncology-focused platforms. Alongside listing ambitions, MediLink continues to advance its clinical and licensing goals. In March it unveiled preclinical data at the American Association for Cancer Research annual meeting; earlier in the year it received FDA clearance for its IND application for YL217, its lead candidate. YL201, another programme, received Breakthrough Therapy Designation in January for treatment of recurrent/metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The company has also pursued strategic licensing agreements with global pharmaceutical firms to expand development and commercialisation capabilities. A licensing deal under discussion ahead of the IPO is believed aimed at enhancing distribution reach while reinforcing MediLink's balance sheet. The IPO effort is part of a broader resurgence in biotech listings in Hong Kong, where authorities have eased regulations to attract innovation-driven offerings. CICC and other banks have ramped up support for ADC and gene therapy companies, signalling a turning point after a lull in listings. ADVERTISEMENT MediLink's choice of banks aligns with a wider trend: CICC has co-sponsored blockbuster floats including the forthcoming mega‑IPO of CATL, while banks like Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley have also participated. In this context, MediLink is positioning itself to tap both deep domestic networks and international capital. Stakeholder sentiment appears optimistic. MediLink's management team, comprised of co‑founders Tony Xue and Jiaqiang Cai alongside C‑suite leaders experienced in drug development and financial strategy, has overseen steady progress in its ADC pipeline and established global partnerships. Jason Li's appointment as CFO in 2023 reportedly strengthened the company's capital market readiness. Market observers highlight challenges ahead. ADC development remains capital-intensive, clinical risks high, and competition fierce among domestic and international peers. Success will hinge on late‑stage data and licensing traction. At the same time, geopolitical tensions and volatility in Hong Kong equity markets may affect investor sentiment. MediLink must also navigate post‑IPO obligations, including regulatory reporting and corporate governance under Hong Kong's Main Board requirements. Mitigating execution risk will be critical, underscoring the role of its chosen bankers in underwriting diligence and market support. Analysts describe the listing as a pivotal moment: it offers the backing to fund Phase II/III efforts while elevating MediLink's corporate profile. For banks, it reinforces Hong Kong's appeal as a biotech capital market when compared with established centres like Nasdaq. With its IPO process underway, MediLink now awaits market timing and regulatory clearances before formally filing a prospectus. The company is expected to continue advancing clinical data, strengthening licensing ties, and preparing investor materials aligned with regulatory requirements.
