- Smashi Business
- Posts
- Aldar+Dubai Holding=14k Homes; 75-Year Restaurant Bet; Tough Ask from Saudi Regulator
Aldar+Dubai Holding=14k Homes; 75-Year Restaurant Bet; Tough Ask from Saudi Regulator
Tuesday, February 10, 2026
Happy Tuesday everyone!
Abu Dhabi’s Aldar and Dubai Holding are scaling up their partnership with plans for nearly 14,000 new homes across two prime Dubai sites, underscoring confidence in long-term urban growth. In hospitality, Americana Restaurants has struck a rare 75-year agreement to roll out Lebanese QSR brand Malak Al Tawouk across MENA and Central Asia. Meanwhile in Saudi Arabia, bankers are urging regulators to rethink IPO allocation rules as listing performance falters and foreign inflows remain in focus.
Markets
EGX 30 | 50,109.78 | 0.15% |
DFMGI | 6753.32 | 0.931% |
ADX | 10,612.54 | 0.468% |
Tadawul | 11,170.46 | 0.41% |
Abu Dhabi-Based Aldar And Dubai Holding Plan 14,000-Home Expansion In Major Dubai Developments
What Is It About?
Aldar and Dubai Holding have expanded their 2023 joint venture after acquiring two major Dubai land plots to deliver nearly 14,000 homes with a combined gross development value exceeding AED38 billion. One project near Nad Al Sheba will be a family-focused community launching in 2026, while an ultra-luxury beachfront scheme on Palm Jebel Ali is set for sales in 2027.
Why It Matters?
The projects reinforce Dubai’s 2040 urban masterplan and sharply grow Aldar’s Dubai pipeline to more than 2.3 million square metres of new gross floor area. The partnership has already generated almost AED22 billion in sales across three communities, underlining strong housing demand and the growing role of large-scale developer alliances in shaping the emirate’s long-term residential supply.
What’s Next?
Aldar will oversee design, sales and delivery for both schemes while accelerating growth across the UAE. The developer is also expanding its Abu Dhabi land bank and residential output, alongside deeper asset ties with Mubadala. Further launches under the Dubai Holding partnership are expected as Palm Jebel Ali’s redevelopment gathers pace and new districts come online.
Step Dubai 2026 Appoints Augustus Media as Official Media Partner
Step Dubai 2026 has named Augustus Media as its official media partner, with Lovin Dubai, Smashi Business and Odeum Studio leading coverage of the Middle East’s flagship tech and startup festival.
The two-day event will take place on 11–12 February 2026 at Dubai Internet City, bringing together thousands of founders, investors, operators and decision-makers from across the GCC and global markets.
Now in its 14th year, Step Dubai runs under the theme “Intelligence Everywhere: The AI Economy.” Founder Ray Dargham, who launched Step in 2012, said artificial intelligence is “no longer a vertical or a niche, but the economic infrastructure of the future.” Held in partnership with Dubai Internet City, the event aligns with the UAE’s National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031, reinforcing the country’s ambition to become a global hub for AI innovation, talent and adoption.
Americana Seals 75-Year Deal To Bring Malak Al Tawouk Across MENA And CIS
What Is It About?
Americana Restaurants has struck a landmark 75-year exclusive licensing agreement to develop Lebanese Arabic QSR brand Malak Al Tawouk across 13 markets in the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia, while also acquiring the brand’s franchise operators in the UAE and Saudi Arabia for $20.8 million. The move marks Americana’s formal entry into the fast-growing Arabic cuisine segment and gives it full control of 10 existing outlets generating about $21 million in annual revenue.
Why It Matters?
Founded in Beirut in 1996, Malak Al Tawouk has built a loyal following around its signature grilled chicken sandwich and now operates more than 60 restaurants globally, including in Europe and North America. Americana chairman Mohamed Alabbar said the deal represents a “decisive step” in diversifying the group’s portfolio and accelerating regional growth, citing the brand’s strong economics and cultural appeal.
What’s Next?
Completion of the franchise acquisitions is expected by the end of February 2026, subject to approvals, after which Americana plans to integrate operations and rapidly scale the concept across its footprint, positioning Malak Al Tawouk as a core growth driver in the years ahead.
Saudi Regulator Faces Pressure To Reconsider Retail IPO Allocation Strategy
What Is It About?
Saudi Arabia’s Capital Market Authority is facing mounting pressure from banks to rethink guidance encouraging companies to allocate up to 30% of IPO shares to retail investors, Bloomberg reported. Advisers argue the informal push, up from previous levels near 10–20%, is straining demand in a softer market and limiting allocations for foreign institutions, potentially undermining recent reforms aimed at drawing global capital into Saudi equities.
Why It Matters?
The debate comes as Saudi IPO activity cools. Volumes stalled at $4.2 billion last year, several deals were shelved, and most major listings now trade below their offer prices. Retail participation has also weakened, with trading by individuals hitting multi-year lows after a poor year for the Tadawul index. Banks warn that heavy retail allocations risk worsening post-listing performance.
What’s Next?
A group of major equity advisers plans to submit a formal complaint to the CMA seeking more flexible allocation guidance. The issue could shape upcoming offerings, including a potential multibillion-riyal listing by Mutlaq AlGhowairi Contracting. How regulators respond may influence investor confidence, foreign inflows and the momentum of Saudi Arabia’s IPO pipeline in the months ahead.
🦄 World of Startups
Mersal Media Capital secures $1.3 million in first funding round
Dubai-based Antoine Kanaan’s Haqq AI, a legal-tech platform, raised $3M.
Notion Expands into Middle East with Launch of Arabic Support
Wio Bank Partners with Pine Labs to Revolutionise UAE Payment Processing
Vennre Secures $9.6M to Democratise Wealth-Building in Saudi Arabia
Jeel and Ripple Join Forces to Revolutionise Saudi Payments with Blockchain
👨💻From Smashi Business’ Desk
Syrian Founder Yasmeen Jisri’s Bake My Day Lands Major Dove Collaboration
KHC, OIA, QIA and MGX-backed SpaceX and xAI merge.
Beauty mogul Mona Kattan is using her platform for good, calling on millions of followers to help support Iran.
Emmy-winning Palestinian journalist Bisan Owda says TikTok has permanently banned her account.
Dubai-born Noon smartly turns the viral penguin into a delivery hero
🔍In other news…
Sharjah Real Estate Exhibition records property transactions exceeding AED5 billion
Tech watches and robot dogs: Dubai contractor Alec bullish on AI but expects hard hats to stay
Abu Dhabi’s GDP expands 7.7%, non-oil economy grows 7.6% in Q3 2025
2PointZero bets on AI to steer double-digit growth, exits and critical minerals entry
Dubai allows resale of property stakes as real estate project enters next phase
🗓️ Plan Your Events (Jan-Feb 2026)
UAE
9-12 February: World Health Expo (WHX), Dubai.
11-12 February: STEP Dubai Conference, Dubai Internet City. (Media Partners)
Saudi Arabia
8-12 February: World Defense Show, Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center, Riyadh.
Egypt
11-12 February: Ai Everything Egypt (Organized by GITEX Global), Cairo. (Media Partners)
