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- Abu Dhabi Doubles Down On Ports; Saudi Pro League Players' Value Grows; Qatar Builds EVs
Abu Dhabi Doubles Down On Ports; Saudi Pro League Players' Value Grows; Qatar Builds EVs
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Tuesday, August 18, 2026
Happy Tuesday everyone!
Abu Dhabi is moving to take greater control of Abu Dhabi Ports as it looks to strengthen infrastructure and reduce reliance on the Strait of Hormuz. Qatar is preparing to build its first dedicated EV factory, with production targeted for 2028. And in Saudi Arabia, the Pro League is cutting transfer spending nearly in half — yet the value of its players is still rising.
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L’IMAD Moves To Buy Out Minority Shareholders In Abu Dhabi Ports
What Is It About
Abu Dhabi wealth fund L’IMAD Holding is offering AED 6.25 per share to acquire the shares it does not already own in Abu Dhabi Ports, valuing the company at AED 31.8 billion ($8.66 billion). The offer represents a 23% premium to the previous closing price. L’IMAD already controls more than 75% of Abu Dhabi Ports through its subsidiary ADQ. The transaction remains subject to regulatory approvals.
Why It Matters
The deal would give Abu Dhabi greater control over a major logistics and infrastructure group spanning ports, shipping, maritime services and economic zones. It also comes as the emirate works to reduce its reliance on the Strait of Hormuz, with investments planned in ports on the Gulf of Oman coast. Abu Dhabi Ports expects up to AED 5 billion in capital spending across 2026 and 2027.
What’s Next
If approved, L’IMAD will be able to pursue longer-term investments and acquisitions at Abu Dhabi Ports with less pressure from public markets. The company is expected to remain central to Abu Dhabi’s strategy to expand its logistics network and strengthen alternative trade routes. The offer also follows L’IMAD’s plans to delist TAQA, highlighting the wealth fund’s growing role in managing the emirate’s strategic assets.
Blu Dot surpasses 2,000% ROAS with self-serve CTV ads
Home furniture brand Blu Dot blew up on CTV with help from Roku Ads Manager. Here’s how:
After a test campaign reached 211,000 households and achieved 1,010% ROAS, the brand went all in to promote its annual sales event. It removed age and income constraints to expand reach and shifted budget to custom audiences and retargeting, where intent was strongest.
The results speak for themselves. As Blu Dot increased their investment by 10x, ROAS jumped to 2,308% and more page-view conversions surpassed 50,000.
“For CTV campaigns, Roku has been a top performer,” said Claire Folkestad, Paid Media Strategist, Blu Dot. “Comping to our other platforms, we have seen really strong ROAS… and highly efficient CPMs, lower than any other CTV partner we've worked with.”
Using Roku Ads Manager, the campaign moved from a pilot to a permanent performance engine for the brand.
Saudi Pro League Cuts Spending, But Player Values Keep Rising
What Is It About
The Saudi Pro League has nearly halved summer transfer spending, with outlays falling 47.7% year-on-year to €222 million as clubs face tighter funding rules. Yet the league’s total player market value has risen 7.7% to €1.18 billion, according to Transfermarkt. The shift reflects a move away from expensive marquee signings toward younger, higher-value players, while recruitment funding is increasingly tied to sporting and commercial performance.
Why It Matters
Saudi Arabia is showing it can build a more valuable football league without spending at the same pace. Al Hilal, Al Ahli, Al Ittihad, Al Qadsiah and Al Nassr remain among the league’s most valuable squads, but spending is now concentrated among a handful of clubs. The strategy suggests the SPL is moving from buying global attention to building sustainable player value and commercial returns.
What’s Next
The new funding model could accelerate the gap between the SPL’s strongest and weakest clubs, while forcing mid-table teams to control wages, sell players or restructure contracts. Saudi Arabia may also rely more on private capital as state funding tightens. At the same time, Turkey and MLS are benefiting from the SPL’s reduced spending, attracting stars such as Mohamed Salah. The next test is whether Saudi football can keep player values rising without blockbuster spending.
Qatar Is Building Its First EV Factory, With Production Set To Begin In 2028
What Is It About
Qatari investment firm JTA International Investment Holding has partnered with British EV maker Watt Electric Vehicle Company (WEVC) to build Qatar’s first dedicated electric vehicle manufacturing plant. The factory is expected to begin production in early 2028, initially making a passenger car and a medium-sized delivery van. Production will start at around 5,000 vehicles a year, with plans to expand significantly.
Why It Matters
The project gives Qatar a foothold in EV manufacturing as Gulf countries compete to build local automotive industries. The vehicles will be designed and engineered by WEVC but manufactured entirely in Qatar. The company’s lightweight aluminium platform is designed to reduce manufacturing costs and make it easier to produce different vehicle models.
What’s Next
The plant is expected to scale production beyond its initial 5,000 vehicles annually, with additional models potentially following. WEVC also plans to use Qatar as a model for manufacturing partnerships in other regions, including the US and Asia. The move adds Qatar to a growing Gulf EV push that includes Saudi Arabia’s Lucid and Ceer projects, while the UAE remains the region’s largest EV sales market.
Smashi Business Exclusive: How CFI Delivered Its Tenth Consecutive Record Quarter
CFI Financial Group's record first half of 2026 was years in the making, according to Group CEO Ziad Melhem, who said the company's latest performance reflects long-term investments in governance, technology, talent and international expansion, rather than a single period of elevated market activity.
Speaking to Smashi Business, Melhem said CFI's record first half, including $5.34 trillion in trading volume and its tenth consecutive record quarter, were built on consistency rather than short-term gains. "The companies that grow, that scale, that last, are the ones that perform through different market environments," he said, adding that today's results are "the outcome of decisions we've made years ago."
Melhem also credited the UAE's operating environment as a competitive advantage for the business, arguing that the country's close alignment between the public and private sectors has enabled companies to scale with confidence. "When there is this mutual trust, when there is this big support and the goals are aligned, the partnership with the regulator creates the necessary platform or infrastructure that would allow us to grow and do much more," he said.
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👨💻From Smashi Business’ Desk
LVMH-owned Sephora has denied reports it will open stores in Israel, while confirming Sephora Collection, its own beauty brand, signed a temporary resale agreement with Israeli retailer Glam42.
HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, visited Binghatti’s London office, according to photos shared by the developer on Instagram.
President Donald Trump and Saudi PIF Governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan were spotted together at LIV Golf’s New York event at Trump National Bedminster, ahead of the final round.
Saudi boxing power broker Turki Al-Sheikh has pulled out of a proposed takeover of English Championship club Derby County after delays in securing approval left limited time to prepare for the new season.
🔍In other news…
Iraq Says Abu Dhabi’s Adnoc Among Buyers of Its Oil
Iran to join BRICS development bank soon, central bank governor says
Saudi Wealth Fund PIF Eyes Bigger Privatization Push to Win Returns
Spinneys CEO on the costs of keeping shelves full in a crisis: AGBI
Saudi data centre ambitions could require $42bn by 2030
Gulf forecast to lose 140,000 tourism jobs this year
Qatar, Morocco among six Arab federations backing FIFA's Infantino
🦄 World of Startups
ChatFeatured, Canada-based AI startup, raised $2M in a pre-seed funding round from BY Venture Partners (UAE/Lebanon) and other global investors
Doctorbook, Syria-based healthtech platform, raised $16K in a pre-seed funding round from a group of angel investors, valuing the startup at $200K
Carbar, Australia-based car subscription platform, is merging with Carasti, UAE-based car subscription business operating across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, and Singapore, at a combined pre-raise valuation of $74M
Fincart, Egypt-based eCommerce enablement platform, raised $2.8M in a seed funding round
