AGP Executive Report
Last update: 4 hours agoUAE Banking: Rakbank says it stayed open for business through the first half of 2026, reporting a 3.9% net interest margin, 64.3% CASA, impaired loans easing to 1.8% and capital adequacy at 19.3%, alongside a AED 473m gain from selling its merchant acquiring business. USMEs & Finance (Saudi): SILQ’s embedded-finance arm Fina secured a $75m Shariah-compliant facility to fund working capital for Saudi SMEs via the digital platforms merchants already use, targeting SAR3bn liquidity for 2,000+ businesses this year. UAE Business Support: RAKEZ partnered with Fazaa to extend employee membership benefits across the UAE, covering healthcare, retail, automotive, beauty and more, with RAKEZ handling registration and issuance for eligible firms. SME Lending (Middle East policy spillover): Nigeria’s central bank held rates at 26.5%, but credit to the private sector fell 11.19% year-to-date, keeping borrowing costs above 30% for many SMEs. Trade & Growth: A study on Tanzania’s public procurement finds SMEs still take only about 4% of participation, with stronger tech capabilities needed to compete for government contracts. Dealmaking (UAE/region): VisionWave and Meteor Aerospace advanced integration planning after agreeing a controlling acquisition, signaling continued buildup of defense-tech capabilities.
Note: AI summary from news headlines; neutral sources weighted more to help reduce bias in the result. Feedback is welcome. Please let us know if you have any comments or suggestions about the AGP Executive Report.
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