Latest news with #KarimMeleka
Gulf Business
23-05-2025
- Business
- Gulf Business
EFG Hermes' Karim Meleka sees IPO, infrastructure momentum in MENA amid reforms
Image: Supplied Held under the theme MENA Investment Playbook, the recent 19th EFG Hermes Annual One-on-One Investor Conference in Dubai brought together 220 companies from 12 countries and 675 institutional investors and fund managers representing 252 global institutions. With more than 15,000 meetings conducted, the forum reaffirmed its status as the region's largest and most influential investment platform. It provided a valuable opportunity to explore investment strategies shaping the Middle East and North Africa. We sat down with Karim Meleka, co-head – Investment Banking at How would you describe the overall sentiment at this year's conference, particularly from an investment banking perspective? The sentiment was very constructive. There's a strong appetite from investors to explore opportunities in MENA, especially in markets like the UAE and Saudi Arabia. From an investment banking standpoint, we're seeing continued momentum in IPOs, particularly in sectors aligned with national transformation agendas — such as infrastructure, logistics, fintech, and consumer goods. The conversations we've had at the conference have reaffirmed that the region remains a bright spot amid global volatility. What trends are currently driving deal activity across MENA? A few key trends are emerging. First, government-led privatisation programmes, especially in the GCC, continue to generate a healthy pipeline of IPOs. Second, there's a growing focus on infrastructure and sustainability-linked investments, which ties in with the region's long-term strategic goals. We're also seeing cross-border M&A activity pick up, with regional champions looking to expand their footprint beyond domestic markets. And finally, there's more private capital stepping in to fill financing gaps in underserved sectors. With global macroeconomic uncertainty, how is EFG Holding adapting its investment banking strategy? We're staying agile by focusing on sectors with strong fundamentals and long-term visibility. Our strategy is to align closely with economic reform agendas in key markets like the UAE and Saudi Arabia. We're also leveraging our advisory expertise to guide clients through volatile environments — whether that's optimising capital structures, preparing for IPOs, or identifying strategic partners. Being present on the ground and maintaining strong local relationships has been instrumental. There's been a lot of focus on infrastructure. How significant is this space to your deal pipeline? Infrastructure is critical. It's not just traditional assets like roads or ports — it includes digital infrastructure, renewable energy, and logistics networks. Governments are increasingly partnering with the private sector to accelerate project delivery. We're currently advising on several infrastructure transactions, some involving international players looking to invest in long-term, stable assets in the region. It's a space we expect to remain very active.
Zawya
12-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
EFG Hermes completes advisory on $333mln IPO of Asyad Shipping Company on the Muscat Stock Exchange
Muscat: EFG Hermes, an EFG Holding company and the leading investment bank in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) announced today that its investment banking division successfully completed its advisory on the USD 333 million initial public offering (IPO) of Asyad Shipping Company, one of the world's largest diversified maritime providers and a global leader in deep sea transportation, on the Muscat Stock Exchange (MSX). Asyad Shipping offered a total of 20% of its total issued share capital through the sale of 1,041,748,856 existing shares at Bzs 123 per share, implying a market capitalization of OMR 641 million (USD 1.7 billion). The company began trading today under the ticker ASCO. Karim Meleka, Co-Head of Investment Banking at EFG Hermes, commented, 'The IPO of Asyad Shipping Company on the MSX continues our partnership with Oman and we are proud to have been the most active bank and partner to OIA / OQ's IPO privatization program, having successfully concluded 3 out of the 5 IPOs to date (since the listing of Abraj Energy)' Established in 2003, Asyad Shipping is one of the world's largest providers of diverse shipping and maritime solutions. It is competitively positioned to meet the needs of high-growth markets such as Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, Europe, and the Americas. ASC operates 89 multi-purpose vessels reaching over 60 countries, linking Omani and global ports, and providing reliable and competitive shipping solutions to all major industrial sectors. Wholly owned by Asyad Group, Asyad Shipping leverages the Group's advanced infrastructure and shared resources to provide comprehensive solutions to customers around the world. Additionally, its integration within Asyad Group's major ports, economic and free zones supports the efficient handling, exporting and importing of cargo and containers with reduced waiting times at ports, and thus maximizes its competitiveness and sustainable business growth across major markets. EFG Hermes acted as a Joint Global Coordinator on the transaction. About EFG Holding EFG Holding (EGX: – LSE: EFGD) is a financial institution that boasts a remarkable 40-year legacy of success in seven countries spanning two continents. Operating within three distinct verticals — the Investment Bank (EFG Hermes), Non-Bank Financial Institutions (NBFI) (EFG Finance), and Commercial Bank (Bank NXT) — the company provides a comprehensive range of groundbreaking financial products and services tailored to meet the needs of a diverse clientele, including individual clients and businesses of all sizes. EFG Hermes, the leading investment bank in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), offers extensive financial services, encompassing advisory, asset management, securities brokerage, research, and private equity. In its domestic market, EFG Holding serves as a universal bank, with EFG Finance emerging as the fastest-growing NBFI platform, comprising Tanmeyah, a microfinance player, EFG Corp-Solutions, which provides leasing and factoring services, Valu, a universal financial technology powerhouse, Bedaya for mortgage finance, Kaf for insurance, Fatura, a technology-backed B2B marketplace and EFG Finance SMEs which provides financial services for small and medium enterprises. Furthermore, the company delivers commercial banking solutions through Bank NXT, an integrated retail and corporate banking product provider in Egypt. Proudly present in: Egypt | United Arab Emirates | Saudi Arabia | Kuwait | Bahrain | Kenya | Nigeria | Learn more about us at For further information, please contact: May El Gammal Group Chief Marketing & Communications Officer of EFG Holding melgammal@ Omar Salama Senior Communications Manager of EFG Holding osalama@ The EFG Holding Public Relations Team PublicRelations@ Note on Forward-Looking Statements In this press release, EFG Holding may make forward-looking statements, including, for example, statements about management's expectations, strategic objectives, growth opportunities, and business prospects. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts but instead represent only EFG Holding's belief regarding future events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and are beyond management's control and include, among others, financial market volatility; actions and initiatives taken by current and potential competitors; general economic conditions and the effect of current, pending, and future legislation, regulations and regulatory actions. Accordingly, the readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made.
Zawya
11-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
EFG Hermes completes advisory on $163mln IPO of Alpha Data on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange
Abu Dhabi: EFG Hermes, an EFG Holding company and the leading investment bank in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), announced today that its investment banking division successfully completed its advisory on the USD 163 million initial public offering (IPO) of Alpha Data, one of the leading digital transformation providers & system integrators in the UAE, on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX). Alpha Data offered a total of 40% of its total issued share capital through the sale of 400 million existing ordinary shares at AED 1.5 per share, implying a market capitalization of AED 1,500 million (USD 408 million). The IPO captured the attention of local, regional, and international investors, with the total book seeing double-digit oversubscription levels. The company began trading today under the ticker ALPHADATA. Karim Meleka, Co-Head of Investment Banking at EFG Hermes, added, 'The successful completion of Alpha Data's IPO underscores the growing investor appetite for tech-driven businesses in the region and highlights Abu Dhabi's increasing prominence as a hub for innovative companies seeking to scale. The strong demand from a diverse investor base reflects the market's confidence in Alpha Data's resilient business model and long-term growth prospects. Our ability to attract robust local, regional and international interest for this offering reaffirms EFG Hermes' leading position in executing landmark transactions that connect high-potential enterprises with strategic capital, further contributing to the dynamic evolution of regional capital markets.' Established in 1981, Alpha Data is one of the leading digital transformation and system integration services providers in the United Arab Emirates. Alpha Data and its subsidiaries operate across three key business verticals. The 'Solutions' segment, delivering tailored IT solutions by integrating advanced technologies to meet customer needs, and working together closely with its main vendors. The 'Services' segment, offering a comprehensive range of ICT services to support clients in the implementation and management of IT infrastructure. Lastly, the 'Talent' segment, delivering specialized IT personnel to meet the growing demand for skilled professionals, including tailored recruitment with a focus on Emiratization, providing flexible contract talent through RAAS (Recruitment as a Service), as well as headhunting candidates for permanent roles through its Permanent Staffing Service. This transaction represents a significant achievement for EFG Hermes in the GCC equity capital markets (ECM), further solidifying its position as the top-ranked firm in ECM for 2024 by the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG). Building on its recent successes, including the landmark Aramco Follow-on Offering and two Accelerated Bookbuild Offerings for ADNOC Drilling, EFG Hermes has demonstrated its expertise in delivering rapid and efficient execution. The latest milestone is the successful completion of a USD 2.84 billion marketed offering of ADNOC Gas shares on behalf of ADNOC. EFG Hermes acted as a Joint Global Coordinator and Joint Bookrunner on the transaction. About EFG Holding EFG Holding (EGX: – LSE: EFGD) is a financial institution that boasts a remarkable 40-year legacy of success in seven countries spanning two continents. Operating within three distinct verticals — the Investment Bank (EFG Hermes), Non-Bank Financial Institutions (NBFI) (EFG Finance), and Commercial Bank (Bank NXT) — the company provides a comprehensive range of groundbreaking financial products and services tailored to meet the needs of a diverse clientele, including individual clients and businesses of all sizes. EFG Hermes, the leading investment bank in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), offers extensive financial services, encompassing advisory, asset management, securities brokerage, research, and private equity. In its domestic market, EFG Holding serves as a universal bank, with EFG Finance emerging as the fastest-growing NBFI platform, comprising Tanmeyah, a microfinance player, EFG Corp-Solutions, which provides leasing and factoring services, Valu, a universal financial technology powerhouse, Kaf for insurance, Fatura, a technology-backed B2B marketplace and EFG Finance SMEs which provides financial services for small and medium enterprises. Furthermore, the company delivers commercial banking solutions through Bank NXT, an integrated retail and corporate banking product provider in Egypt. Proudly present in: Egypt | United Arab Emirates | Saudi Arabia | Kuwait | Bahrain | Kenya | Nigeria | Learn more about us at For further information, please contact: May El Gammal Group Chief Marketing & Communications Officer of EFG Holding melgammal@ Omar Salama Senior Communications Manager of EFG Holding osalama@ The EFG Holding Public Relations Team PublicRelations@ Note on Forward-Looking Statements In this press release, EFG Holding may make forward-looking statements, including, for example, statements about management's expectations, strategic objectives, growth opportunities, and business prospects. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts but instead represent only EFG Holding's belief regarding future events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and are beyond management's control and include, among others, financial market volatility; actions and initiatives taken by current and potential competitors; general economic conditions and the effect of current, pending, and future legislation, regulations and regulatory actions. Accordingly, the readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made.
