
Saudi Arabia & UAE Lead MENA in Sustainable Bond Issuance
Saudi Arabia led the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region in sustainable debt issuance during the first half of 2025, accounting for 66% of total activity, according to Bloomberg's Capital Markets League Tables.
Total sustainable bond and sukuk (Islamic bonds) issuance from the Kingdom reached USD 6.25 billion, marking a 25% year-on-year increase. The Saudi government issued USD 1.58 billion, while Al Rajhi Bank issued two sustainable sukuks totalling USD 1.7 billion. Other major contributions came from Saudi Electricity Company (USD 1.25 billion), Alinma Bank (USD 500 million), and Saudi Awwal Bank, which issued an Additional Tier 1 (AT1) sukuk worth USD 650 million.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) followed, contributing 34% of the region's sustainable debt activity with USD 3.22 billion. Key UAE issuance included USD 700 million from the National Central Cooling Company (Tabreed) and USD 500 million from real estate developer Omniyat.
Islamic finance instruments dominated the regional market, with total sustainable sukuk issuances reaching USD 6.8 billion, a 17% year-on-year increase. AT1 instruments - which help banks meet capital requirements under the Basel III international regulatory framework - reached USD 3.15 billion, the highest first-half figure recorded in the past five years. The Basel III framework will begin phased implementation in the region from 2026.
Despite strong performances from Saudi Arabia and the UAE, overall sustainable bond issuance in MENA declined by 4.4% year-on-year, totalling USD 9.47 billion, compared to USD 9.91 billion during the same period in 2024. The drop was largely due to reduced activity in Egypt and Qatar and the impact of higher global interest rates.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Mid East Info
an hour ago
- Mid East Info
Al Fardan Exchange Deepens Ties with Pakistani Community in the UAE via Upgraded Consulate Centre - Middle East Business News and Information
Upgraded consulate reopens with self-service kiosk and customer engagement centre powered by Al Fardan Exchange to better serve Pakistani residents in the UAE Remittances from the Pakistani community in the UAE will exceed $7 billion in 2025 29 July 2025, Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Al Fardan Exchange, one of the UAE's most trusted and long-standing financial services providers, has supported the renovation and infrastructure upgrades of the Consulate General of Pakistan, Dubai. As part of this enhanced experience, the consulate now features a dedicated Customer Engagement Centre powered by Al Fardan Exchange. This joint effort is designed to enhance the consular experience while bringing trusted financial services closer to an estimated 1.6 million Pakistani nationals residing in the UAE. The newly launched centre includes an on-site self-service kiosk that allows customers to track remittances in real time, conduct digital transactions, and check exchange rates instantly, providing a seamless and convenient experience within the premises . With the consulate serving thousands of visitors daily , this embedded touchpoint delivers critical financial access and convenience to the customers. His Excellency Hussain Mohamed, Consul General at Consulate General of Pakistan, Dubai stated that : 'We are sincerely grateful to Al Fardan Exchange for their generous support in enhancing the Pakistan Consulate's infrastructure. This partnership not only reflects our shared commitment to serving the Pakistani community but also opens new opportunities for improved service and financial inclusion. With over 2,000 people visiting the Consulate daily, this new Customer Engagement Centre will play a vital role in connecting our citizens to secure, efficient, and trusted financial solutions. We look forward to continuing this meaningful collaboration in the years to come.' Hasan Fardan Al Fardan, CEO at Al Fardan Exchange, said: 'We are proud of the deep relationship we share with the Pakistani community, a bond built over five decades of trust. For generations, millions of customers from Pakistan have chosen Al Fardan Exchange as their trusted partner to send their hard-earned money home. This Customer Engagement Centre reflects our ongoing commitment to support them with utmost care, security, and reliability. We are honoured to strengthen this connection and carry it forward for years to come.' The launch comes amid rising remittance flows, with UAE-based Pakistanis sending over USD 6.7 billion in 2024. That number is expected to surpass USD 7 billion in 2025 , reaffirming the UAE's role as one of the top global sources of remittances to Pakistan. Between July 2024 and May 2025 alone, Pakistanis in the UAE remitted over $754 million , making the UAE the second-largest source of remittances to Pakistan globally, after Saudi Arabia. As part of Al Fardan Exchange's omnichannel ecosystem, which includes over 90 branches and the AlfaPay mobile app, the centre embodies the brand's mission to meet customers wherever they are – in person, online, or on the go. -End- About Al Fardan Exchange Al Fardan Exchange is a member of the Al Fardan Group, which has roots stretching back to 1954. Emerging from a seafaring and pearl trading tradition to commercial trade, the Al Fardan name is built on a solid bedrock of security and reliability. Leveraging on the Group's diversified business interests and successful operations in real estate, high-end jewellery and financial services, Al Fardan Exchange holds global reach with trust and credibility as its main ethics. Established in 1971, Al Fardan Exchange has had the unique opportunity of playing a part in supporting communities who have helped build this nation by helping them bring life to their dreams, both here and in their home countries. Today, Al Fardan Exchange is incredibly proud to serve the UAE's cosmopolitan community through its omni-channel presence, providing financial services via the AlfaPay App and a strong network of over 90 branches across the Emirates. Reinforced by strong relationships with over 150 global corresponding banks, financial institutions, and other financial service providers, Al Fardan Exchange offers secure transactions that firmly place reliability and trust at the forefront. Al Fardan Exchange's mission is to redefine global money transfer and payment services by leveraging cutting-edge technology, a robust branch network, and superior customer service. The company upholds values of integrity, innovation, commitment, collaboration, and connectivity (financial inclusion). To learn more about Al Fardan Exchange, visit


Mid East Info
an hour ago
- Mid East Info
FinTech Startup Tabadulat Receives In-Principle Approval from ADGM's FSRA - Middle East Business News and Information
Tabadulat Limited (Tabadulat), a UAE-based Shariah-compliant investing platform registered with ADGM, the international financial centre of the UAE Capital Abu Dhabi, has received In-Principle Approval from ADGM's Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA). The announcement follows the UAE cabinet's approval of its National Strategy for Islamic Finance and Halal Industry on 6 May. Under the plan, the UAE seeks to build a globally competitive national Islamic finance sector, facilitate its activities, and drive leadership in sustainable finance. Tabadulat, which is in the process of obtaining its Financial Services Permission, subject to FSRA's approval, has a committed investment of US$2.3 million. For years, Muslim investors have faced limited options when seeking truly halal investment opportunities in global markets, often relying on separate and expensive screening tools or niche local brokers. Through its advanced halal stock screener, Tabadulat will ensure that every transaction adheres to Islamic finance principles, filling a longstanding gap in halal investing. 'Tabadulat will not just be a trading platform but will be a movement. We will empower Muslim investors to invest globally without compromising their faith. Tabadulat will offer its clients control, transparency, and compliance in one seamless platform,' said Samy Mohamad, Co-founder of Tabadulat. Key features include: Global Market Access : Users will be able to invest in a wide range of international halal stocks across the US, Europe, GCC, Asia, and beyond. : Users will be able to invest in a wide range of international halal stocks across the US, Europe, GCC, Asia, and beyond. Advanced Halal Stock Screener : Every stock and ETF listed will be screened daily for Shariah compliance, allowing Muslim investors to instantly identify halal investments without relying on an external paid service. : Every stock and ETF listed will be screened daily for Shariah compliance, allowing Muslim investors to instantly identify halal investments without relying on an external paid service. Ultra-low and Transparent Fees : Low transaction fees (starting at just 0.25%) with no hidden costs and absolutely no Riba, ensuring halal and cost-effective trades for retail investors. : Low transaction fees (starting at just 0.25%) with no hidden costs and absolutely no Riba, ensuring halal and cost-effective trades for retail investors. Advanced Portfolio Analytics : Cutting-edge tools, including a comprehensive Shariah report, at no additional cost. : Cutting-edge tools, including a comprehensive Shariah report, at no additional cost. Built-in Zakat Calculator: Helping investors fulfill their religious obligations easily and accountant-free. With the global Islamic finance market estimated to reach US$7.5 trillion by 2028, Tabadulat's entry will come at a time of rising demand for accessible halal investing solutions. The company will adhere to the Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI) standards, the global benchmark in Islamic finance, and will be an Islamic financial business. 'Muslim investors may soon be able to trade halal stocks with peace of mind, knowing that every asset they invest in will be to the highest standards of Islamic finance,' says Ali Abdulkadir Ali, Co-founder of Tabadulat.


Mid East Info
a day ago
- Mid East Info
Cloudera and Aramco Plan to Collaborate on AI-driven Digital Innovation in Saudi Arabia - Middle East Business News and Information
Collaboration aims to enhance data-driven innovation, upskill Saudi talent, and advance AI and data research. Saudi Arabia, July 28th, 2025: Cloudera, a leading hybrid platform for data, analytics, and AI, and Aramco, one of the world's leading integrated energy and chemicals companies, have agreed on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The MoU outlines plans for joint efforts to leverage Cloudera's platform and Aramco's industry expertise to build AI-powered solutions and applications that support the growth of the digital oil and gas sector in Saudi Arabia. Amid the rapid evolution of technology, this proposed collaboration aims to see both parties work together to further localize cutting-edge technologies, create new opportunities, and drive sustainable growth in the country. Upskilling Saudi talent in data and AI The parties plan to develop and upskill Saudi local talent in programs tailored to Saudi Arabia's workforce needs, with a focus on upskilling Saudi talent in data engineering, data science, and analytics. Ahmad Issa, Regional Vice President of the Middle East for Cloudera, said : 'In seeking to collaborate with Aramco, our goal is to empower local professionals with the tools and knowledge they need to thrive in a data-driven economy. By investing in human capital, we're supporting individual careers while contributing to the broader ecosystem of innovation and growth in Saudi Arabia.' This focus on skills development aligns with the joint vision of making modern data and analytics accessible and fostering an empowered workforce ready to tackle the challenges of tomorrow. Unlocking business value through data-driven solutions Under the proposed collaboration, Cloudera and Aramco plan to jointly develop and implement data-driven solutions that leverage Cloudera's platform to further enhance Aramco's operational efficiency and competitiveness. By combining their expertise, the two companies aim to work together to unlock new insights and drive business value through advanced data management, security, and analytics capabilities. Issa continued: 'By seeking to collaborate with Aramco, we intend to blend its industry expertise with our innovative data solutions to drive meaningful impact for Saudi Arabia's digital transformation. 'We're excited about the opportunity to contribute to Saudi Arabia's digital economy, working with world-class organizations like Aramco to make smarter, data-driven decisions to stay ahead in today's fast-paced world.' Driving R&D innovation in AI and big data Under the MoU, the parties have agreed to explore collaborative research and development initiatives. Cloudera and Aramco also plan to explore emerging trends and technologies in big data, AI, and data science. By pooling resources and expertise, the parties are aiming to fuel innovation that drives AI-powered solutions and applications that support the growth of the digital oil and gas sector in Saudi Arabia. Cloudera's hybrid data-cloud solutions offer a robust foundation for securely managing data across environments while maintaining unified governance and real-time analytics capabilities. This aligns with Aramco's forward-looking vision in the data and AI field, and the two parties are planning to collaborate and drive innovation in the rapidly evolving global landscape. Issa concluded: 'As we are seeking to collaborate with Aramco, we reaffirm our commitment to helping enterprises accelerate their AI aspirations in a secure and responsible way. Together, we plan to unlock the true potential of data and support Saudi Arabia's digital economy.' Read the full press release here.