meed-logo

line1 line2 line3
SIGN IN / REGISTER

Regional stock market listings near record level

23 December 2024

 

This report also includes: Gulf debt markets make their mark

The Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region’s capital markets got off to a fairly strong start in 2024, with two sizeable listings on the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) in January. Broadcaster MBC Group’s listing on 8 January raised $222m, while Middle East Pharmaceutical Industries Company (Avalon Pharma) followed up with a $131m share sale on 24 January.

The year ended with a far bigger bang, however, with several multibillion-dollar listings in the UAE and Oman in the final quarter. Among them, grocery chain Lulu Group International raised $1.7bn on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) in early November. The following month, food delivery and quick commerce business Talabat Middle East raised $2bn when it launched on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM).

Between those bookends to the year there were dozens of other initial public offerings (IPOs) on the region’s stock markets. According to data compiled by EY, there were 29 new listings in the opening nine months of the year, the same as in the equivalent period of 2023 and only just behind the 31 IPOs in 2022.

The final quarter of the year has been the busiest. MEED’s analysis points to the tally reaching 49 IPOs as of mid-December, with several more listings still on the cards for the closing weeks of the year. As such, the previous record for the most IPOs in the region in a year – the 51 seen in 2022 – could well be surpassed.

As has been the case for many years, the GCC bourses have been the dominant focus of activity, with Saudi Arabia hosting 13 IPOs on the main Tadawul market and 24 on the smaller Nomu bourse.

The UAE has had a further seven, with four on the ADX and three on the DFM, while the Kuwait and Muscat exchanges have had one apiece.

Beyond the Gulf, activity has been more limited, but some markets that were dormant for several years have reawakened. There have been two IPOs in Egypt – Act Financial and United Bank of Egypt – and one on the Algiers Stock Exchange, where Credit Populaire d’Algerie’s listing in March was the first in eight years.

Fluctuating activity

IPO activity has ebbed and flowed through the year. According to EY, there were 10 IPOs in the first quarter, the same as in the equivalent period the year before, although this did not include the Algiers listing.

Saudi Arabia saw nine listings in Q1 2024, raising a combined $724m, the most significant being Modern Mills, which raised $314m. That was overshadowed by Parkin Company, however, which raised $429m by listing on the DFM.

In the second quarter, a further 14 companies came to market, raising $2.6bn between them. This was slightly up on the 13 IPOs in Q2 2023 and the proceeds were also up 45%.

Of the total, 11 were in Saudi Arabia, with five on the Tadawul and six on the Nomu. The biggest was Dr Soliman Abdul Kader Fakeeh Hospital Company at $764m, followed by Alef Education Consultancy on the ADX at $515m.

Notably, Kuwait Boursa saw its first listing in two years, with Beyout Investment Group coming to the market in June. The only other IPO outside Saudi Arabia was retailer Spinneys, which listed on the DFM, raising $375m.

Activity slowed in the third quarter, with just five new listings, which raised $930m between them. Almost all of this was accounted for by the listing of NMDC Energy on the ADX, which involved a raise of $877m – the largest of the year at the time, although that figure was overtaken several times in the final quarter.

Saudi Arabia saw three more listings on the Nomu market in Q3, raising $27m in total. During this period, Act Financial also made its market debut, becoming the first new listing on Egyptian Exchange (EGX) in two years.

At the end of Q3, EY estimated that a further 11 companies were planning to list on exchanges in the Mena region before the year was out.

Not all of these listings have gone ahead, but a number of major IPOs have been completed, including OQ Exploration & Production on the Muscat Stock Exchange (MSX), which raised $2bn on 28 October. It was followed by the IPOs of hypermarket chain Lulu Group and food delivery operator Talabat over the next two months.

In addition, there have been five more listings on the Tadawul, including Al-Majed Oud Company and Arabian Mills for Food Products Company, and nine more on the Nomu market.

Other deals have been announced but have so far yet to be completed. These included Oman’s OQ Base Industries, which in November announced plans to sell up to 49% of its shares and seek a listing on the MSX by mid-December.

The huge listings in the fourth quarter of 2024 mean that the downward trajectory of 2023 has been turned around, even if the heights of 2022’s fundraisings have not quite been matched. 

After the $22bn raised in 2022, the total fell to $10.7bn in 2023. In 2024, the total reached about $12.5bn by 10 December, including $8bn raised in the final quarter.

Diverging indices

The wider market performance of regional bourses has been decidedly mixed in 2024. 

There have been a handful of standout performers across the region. The Moroccan All Shares Index (MASI), for example, was up 22.7% between January and the end of November, with Egypt’s EGX 30 Index not far behind at 21.5%, according to data compiled by Kuwait’s Kamco Invest.

In the Gulf region, Dubai’s DFM General Index was up 19.4% over the same period, while Tunisia’s TunIndex also saw a creditable 12.7% gain.

In contrast, Riyadh’s Tadawul All-Share Index (Tasi), the FTSE ADX General Index, Qatar’s QE20 Index and Jordan’s ASE Index all saw their values fall in the first 11 months, with drops of between 1% and 4%.

Other major bourses saw more limited gains, with the Kuwait All Share Index posting a rise of 6.3%, while the Bahrain All Share Index was up 3.1% and Oman’s MGX 30 Index gained just 1.1%.

It is hard to see any clear pattern in these results. To date, five regional bourses have posted a better overall performance in 2024, compared to 2023, but six are faring worse.

This fits in with the mixed performances seen on the global level. The MSCI World Index gained more than 20% in the first 11 months of the year, helped by a strong performance in the US, where the S&P 500 rose by 26.5%. In contrast, the MSCI Emerging Markets Index was up just 5.4% over the same period.

The buoyant market for regional IPOs suggests that many companies and investors feel relatively optimistic, however.

A second IPO is due to take place in Algeria before the end of the year, with the listing of Banque de Developpement Local, and more are pencilled in for 2025. 

In neighbouring Morocco, irrigation specialist CMGP Group is also aiming for a $110m IPO on the Casablanca Stock Exchange in the near future.

However, Gulf markets are likely to continue to dominate in the near future. At least four more listings are planned in Saudi Arabia in the closing weeks of 2024 and the start of 2025, and many more are sure to follow. 

Main image: Food delivery business Talabat raised $2bn with its IPO on the Dubai Financial Market in December. Credit: WAM

https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/13108022/main.gif
Dominic Dudley

Register for MEED's guest program now to access this article.

Click here to register
Exclusive from Meed
Related Articles
  • Saudi Arabia qualifies firms for gas-fired IPPs

    28 September 2026

    Principal buyer Saudi Power Procurement Company (SPPC) has qualified 13 companies to bid for the third round of Saudi Arabia’s combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) independent power producer (IPP) programme.

    The projects will comprise new CCGT plants developed on a build-own-operate basis. Each project will be implemented through a special-purpose project company wholly owned by the successful bidder.

    The qualified firms are:

    • Abu Dhabi National Energy Company [Taqa] (UAE)
    • Acwa (Saudi Arabia)
    • Al-Bawani Capital (Saudi Arabia)
    • Al-Jomaih Energy & Water (Saudi Arabia)
    • EDF (France)
    • Etihad Development Company (UAE)
    • Kepco (South Korea)
    • Marafiq (Saudi Arabia)
    • Mitsubishi Power (Japan)
    • Nesma Renewable Energy (Saudi Arabia)
    • PowerChina (China)
    • Saudi Energy (Saudi Arabia)
    • Sumitomo Corporation (Japan)

    Developers submitted statements of qualification for the round on 23 August, as exclusively reported by MEED.

    Some have already begun “the process of forming consortiums to bid” for the project, with up to three or four groups likely to make offers.

    Also in September, MEED exclusively reported that US-based GE Vernova was close to finalising a turbine reservation agreement with SPPC for the plants.

    The new plants will use advanced H-class or J-class gas turbine technology. Each IPP is expected to comprise two or three gas turbine generators, corresponding heat recovery steam generators with duct firing, and one or two steam turbine generators.

    The request for qualifications released by SPPC in July did not specify the number, locations or capacities of the projects, which mark the next stage of its CCGT IPP programme.

    The first round comprises Taiba 1, Taiba 2, Qassim 1 and Qassim 2, with a combined capacity of 7,200MW.

    The second round comprises Rumah 1, Rumah 2, Nairyah 1 and Nairyah 2, also with a combined capacity of 7,200MW.

    Saudi Arabia’s Acwa recently said it had begun initial commercial operations at the Taiba 1 and Qassim 1 CCGT power plants.

    US/India-based Synergy Consulting is the financial adviser for the procurement; Germany’s Fichtner is the technical adviser; and UK-headquartered Eversheds Sutherland is the legal adviser.

    READ THE SEPTEMBER 2026 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDF

    Nuclear power ambitions gather pace; Kuwait keeps dealmaking alive despite war; Region invests in raising gas processing capacity.

    Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the September 2026 edition of MEED Business Review includes:
    To see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click here
    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/20055392/main.jpg
    Mark Dowdall
  • Dewa completes $2.7bn refinancing of Noor Energy 1

    28 September 2026

    Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (Dewa) has completed a $2.7bn refinancing of the 950MW Noor Energy 1 project, the fourth phase of Dubai’s Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum Solar Park.

    Noor Energy 1 reached commercial operation in 2024. The project company was established to design, build and operate the plant. It is owned by Dewa (51%), Acwa (25%) and China’s Silk Road Fund (24%).

    The project combines 700MW of concentrated solar power (CSP) with 250MW of photovoltaic (PV) capacity. The CSP component comprises a 600MW parabolic trough facility and a 100MW solar tower.

    It has up to 15 hours of thermal energy storage, allowing it to supply dispatchable electricity beyond daylight hours. Dewa describes Noor Energy 1 as the world’s largest single-site CSP project.

    According to Dewa, the transaction strengthens the project’s financial structure and is expected to generate savings over the operational life of the plant. Saeed Mohammed Al-Tayer, managing director and CEO of Dewa, added that the refinancing demonstrates confidence from international, regional and local financial institutions.

    Abu Dhabi National Future Company (Masdar) is expected to commission the 1,800MW sixth phase of the MBR Solar Park by the end of this year.

    The $1.5bn facility is being implemented by Shuaa Energy 4, a special purpose vehicle jointly owned by Masdar (40%) and Dewa (60%).

    In August, MEED exclusively reported that Masdar is also likely to be awarded the contract to develop the seventh phase of the MBR Solar Park after submitting the lowest bid for the project.

    Phase seven will add 2,000MW from PV solar panels and include a 1,400MW battery energy storage system with a six-hour capacity, providing a total storage capacity of 8,400 megawatt-hours. 

    READ THE SEPTEMBER 2026 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDF

    Nuclear power ambitions gather pace; Kuwait keeps dealmaking alive despite war; Region invests in raising gas processing capacity.

    Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the September 2026 edition of MEED Business Review includes:
    To see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click here
    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/20055739/main.jpg
    Mark Dowdall
  • BP to drill new well in Egypt as part of $700m campaign

    28 September 2026

    London-headquartered BP has moved the Valaris DS-12 drilling rig to a new position ahead of drilling the planned Ghorab-1 exploration well, according to a statement from Egypt’s Ministry of Petroleum & Mineral Resources.

    The Ghorab-1 exploration well will be drilled in the offshore West Nile Delta (WND) concession and is part of a $700m drilling campaign that started in April this year.

    The rig was moved to the new position after drilling the Fayoum-4 well.

    The Ministry of Petroleum said the well had commenced production and was connected to the national natural gas grid, delivering approximately 80 million cubic feet a day of gas.

    Egypt’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Karim Badawi held a meeting with officials from BP last week to discuss progress on the drilling campaign.

    They discussed BP’s strategic direction and priorities, as well as its future business plans, according to the statement from the Ministry of Petroleum.

    Increased interest

    Amid the US and Israel’s ongoing conflict with Iran and the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, oil assets in North Africa have become increasingly appealing to international oil companies.

    Disruptions to oil and gas exports through the Strait of Hormuz have severely disrupted a range of countries, including Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Kuwait.

    London-headquartered Shell has also been pushing ahead with strategic projects in Egypt over recent months.

    In August, BG Delta, a Shell subsidiary, reached the final investment decision for phase 12a of the West Delta Deep Marine (WDDM) development project.

    The project will be implemented in partnership with Malaysia’s Petronas and state-owned Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC).

    Shell, Petronas and EGPC formed a joint venture called Burullus Gas Company to operate the WDDM concession.

    Phase 12a includes drilling and completing three deepwater gas wells, with production expected to begin in 2028.

    The wells will be tied into existing subsea infrastructure, helping accelerate development, improve capital efficiency and limit the need for additional facilities.

    In April, Egypt’s Petroleum Marine Services (PMS) was awarded a contract for offshore works for phase 12 of the WDDM field development project.

    The contract awarded to PMS uses the engineering, procurement, installation and construction contract model.

    Under the scope of the contract, PMS will install the required electrical, hydraulic and mechanical connections in deep waters to tie three new gas wells into production as part of phase 12.

    The scope also includes the installation of three final triple tie-in spool bases to complete the connection between the wells.

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/20050585/main4559.jpg
    Wil Crisp
  • Oil company talks shape Libya licensing round

    28 September 2026

     

    Conversations with London-headquartered international oil companies (IOCs) are playing a key role in shaping plans for Libya’s next licensing round.

    Representatives from Shell and BP travelled to Libya earlier this month as part of a Libyan British Business Council (LBBC) delegation.

    During the trip, the oil companies’ representatives met with officials from Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC).

    Peter Millett, chair of the LBBC and a former British ambassador to Libya, told MEED: “NOC is considering its next licensing round and an important part of that process is talking to IOCs like BP and Shell about what kind of terms would make blocks appealing to them.

    “They are asking these oil companies what they can do differently in order to get more investment.”

    Libya’s NOC chairman is Masoud Suleman, who was formally appointed in October last year after serving as acting chairman since January 2025.

    Shortly after he became acting chairman, the NOC announced the results of its most recent licensing round, which was launched in March 2025 and was the country’s first in 17 years.

    A total of five blocks out of 22 available were ultimately awarded in the 2025 licensing round.

    One of the blocks, known as Block S4, was awarded to US-based Chevron, and the production-sharing agreement (PSA) for the block was signed in August.

    Investment drive

    Millett said Libya is seeking large investments from oil companies in order to boost national production.

    “The way that Masoud Suleman is running NOC is impressive and technocratic,” he said. “One of his focuses is making his organisation into a partner that IOCs want to work with.”

    “NOC has the ambition to produce more oil and export more oil, but they need investment in order to do this.

    “They received some money from the central bank for a budget, but it is just a fraction of what they need.

    “There’s a huge requirement to invest in infrastructure, such as processing facilities and pipelines, so they’re looking to outside companies to bring them investment and technology.”

    Amid the US and Israel’s ongoing conflict with Iran and the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, oil assets in North Africa have become increasingly appealing to IOCs.

    Disruptions to oil and gas exports through the Strait of Hormuz have severely affected a range of countries, including Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Kuwait.

    Millett believes Libya’s proximity to consumer markets could help it secure investment to develop its oil and gas sector.

    “Oil companies appear to be becoming increasingly willing to provide this investment in the current climate, because it is relatively easy to transport Libyan crude to customers,” he said.

    “The only strait that you might need to go through is the Strait of Gibraltar, and this is easy compared to the problems that countries like Iraq and Kuwait are having shipping their crude through the Strait of Hormuz at the moment.”

    Security challenges

    While Libya’s location offers significant benefits in terms of ease of exports, operating in the country comes with security challenges.

    Over recent weeks, both the Mellitah oil and gas complex and the Zawiya refinery in the west of the country have been disrupted by the actions of armed groups.

    On top of this, a key pipeline was shut down by militants, temporarily cutting national production by 130,000 barrels a day.

    While Libya has significant potential to expand its oil and gas sector, IOCs will likely watch for signs of deteriorating security before committing to large investment projects.

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/20050217/main.jpg
    Wil Crisp
  • Ohana begins Abu Dhabi project construction

    25 September 2026

    Dubai-based real estate firm Ohana Development has started the main construction works on the $4bn Manchester City Football Club-branded gated waterfront community on Yas Canal in Abu Dhabi.

    The construction works are being carried out by Ohana-owned Nova International General Contracting.

    The development will span an area of about 1.67 million square metres. It will include 2,000 residential units, ranging from four- and five-bedroom villas to mansions, penthouses and apartments, across six clusters.

    The project is slated for completion in 2029 and will be delivered in two phases.

    It will be located on Yas Canal, next to Ferrari World Abu Dhabi and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi.

    The development is Manchester City’s first branded residential project worldwide.

    A key feature of the project is a Manchester City Academy, which will offer training and recovery facilities aligned with the club’s player development model.

    More than 55% of the masterplan is allocated to landscaped gardens and green spaces.

    Last year, Ohana Development launched the AED4.7bn ($1.3bn) Jacob & Co Beachfront Living by Ohana residential project in the Al-Jurf area of Abu Dhabi.

    The developer said in a statement that the project comprises 457 residential units, including apartments, villas, penthouses and mansions.

    The project is expected to be completed by 2028 and is being developed in partnership with US-based jewellery firm Jacob & Co.

    Ohana Development’s portfolio in Abu Dhabi also includes Ohana by the Sea in Al-Jurf and Elie Saab Waterfront by Ohana on Reem Island.

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/19994074/main.jpg
    Yasir Iqbal