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- DP World Reshuffles Leadership; IHC Launches $237bn Financial Giant; Saudi Newspaper Rebuilt With AI
DP World Reshuffles Leadership; IHC Launches $237bn Financial Giant; Saudi Newspaper Rebuilt With AI
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Saturday, February 14, 2026
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Happy Saturday everyone!
DP World has appointed Yuvraj Narayan as Group CEO and Essa Kazim as Chairman, marking a leadership transition at the Dubai-based ports operator as Narayan steps up after two decades driving expansion and transformation initiatives. In Abu Dhabi, International Holding Co. is launching Judan Financial, a new financial-services entity overseeing 870 billion dirhams ($237 billion) in assets, chaired by HH Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, consolidating banking, asset management and alternatives under one platform. Meanwhile, Replit founder Amjad Masad revealed that Saudi Arabia’s widely read Sabq newspaper was personally rebuilt by its founder using AI tools on Replit, highlighting how conversational coding is accelerating digital transformation across regional media.
Markets
EGX 30 | 50,490.20 | Closed |
DFMGI | 6771.6 | -0.041% |
ADX | 10,636.48 | -0.487% |
Tadawul | 11,251.81 | Closed |
DP World Names Yuvraj Narayan as CEO, Essa Kazim as Chairman
What Is It About?
DP World has appointed Yuvraj Narayan as Group Chief Executive Officer and Essa Kazim as Chairman of the Board. The leadership changes were announced as part of a strategic transition at the Dubai-based global ports and logistics operator. Narayan, who joined DP World in 2004 and has served as Group Chief Financial Officer since 2005, steps into the top role after leading multiple expansion and transformation initiatives. Kazim, currently Governor of the Dubai International Financial Centre and Chairman of Borse Dubai, brings decades of financial leadership experience.
Why It Matters?
DP World is central to Dubai’s trade and logistics ecosystem, operating across global supply chains. Installing a long-serving CFO as CEO signals a focus on financial discipline, operational resilience and strategic continuity. The appointment of a senior economic policymaker like Kazim reinforces alignment between DP World’s global expansion strategy and Dubai’s broader economic ambitions.
What’s Next?
The transition comes as global trade routes face geopolitical volatility and supply chain realignments. Markets will watch how Narayan balances growth, capital deployment and digital transformation. Investors will also look for signals on acquisition strategy, port expansion and how DP World positions itself in an increasingly fragmented global trade environment.
Smashi Business Goes Live with Foodics Founder Ahmad AlZaini at Step Dubai
The Smashi Business Show went LIVE from the Step Conference centre stage in Dubai this week, recording a special episode with Ahmad AlZaini, Saudi-based founder and CEO of Foodics.
From scaling one of the region’s biggest F&B tech platforms to building in Saudi under Vision 2030, AlZaini spoke about the importance of the right government backing, the right consultancies, and delivering the perfect founder pitch. The episode airs today — tune in at 10am for your morning listen.
Abu Dhabi’s IHC Launches $237 Billion Financial Giant Judan Financial
What Is It About?
International Holding Co. (IHC) is creating a new financial-services powerhouse, Judan Financial, overseeing about 870 billion dirhams ($237 billion) in assets. The entity will combine banking, insurance, asset management, alternatives and fintech under one umbrella. Chaired by HH Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Judan will house major platforms including $115 billion Lunate Capital and Chimera Investment. The firm is valued at roughly 100 billion dirhams and aims to attract institutional and third-party capital.
Why It Matters?
Abu Dhabi already controls close to $2 trillion in sovereign wealth assets. Judan adds another heavyweight to a system increasingly defined by consolidation, scale and global dealmaking. With deep ties to Wall Street firms such as BlackRock, Blackstone and Brookfield, the move strengthens Abu Dhabi’s influence across finance, AI and private markets — and tightens strategic alignment between capital and state power.
What’s Next?
Judan is expected to scale significantly over the next five years. Mohamed Al Suwaidi, formerly CEO of ADQ, will serve as vice chairman and CEO. Markets will watch how aggressively Judan deploys capital — and whether it becomes Abu Dhabi’s next global deal engine.
Founder of Famous Saudi Newspaper Sabq Rebuilds Entire Newspaper With AI on Replit
What Is It About?
Replit founder Amjad Masad revealed that the founder of Saudi Arabia’s widely read Sabq newspaper personally rebuilt the publication using AI tools on Replit. The relaunch marks a hands-on digital overhaul powered by conversational coding. Sabq, founded in 2007 by Ali Abdo al-Hazmi, became one of the kingdom’s most prominent digital-native outlets, known for fast, online-first reporting.
Why It Matters?
The rebuild signals how AI-assisted development tools are reshaping media infrastructure, allowing founders to directly modernize platforms without large engineering teams. It also highlights Replit’s growing footprint in the Gulf. Masad has strengthened regional ties, including engagement with the Public Investment Fund, positioning Replit as a strategic AI coding partner for Saudi government entities.
What’s Next?
Founded in 2016, Replit is reportedly nearing a $400 million funding round at a $9 billion valuation, according to Bloomberg. As “vibecoding” tools gain traction across industries, the Sabq rebuild may serve as a case study for how AI-native platforms accelerate digital transformation in media and government.
🦄 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…
Mecca Land Prices Hit $87,000 Per Square Meter as Foreign Investment Opens Floodgates
Abu Dhabi’s MGX Co-Leads $30 Billion Anthropic Round at $380 Billion Valuation
Qatar Investment Authority Backs $520 Million Apptronik Raise as Humanoid Robot Apollo Nears Debut
Singapore Airlines Returns to Riyadh After 12-Year Hiatus With June Relaunch
Saudi-based HUMIAN acquires controlling stake in ai.io, launches HUMAIN Sport
🗓️ Plan Your Events (March-April 2026)
UAE
31 March - 2 April (Tuesday-Thursday): Arab Media Summit, Dubai.
26-28 March (Thursday-Saturday): Social Capital Conference, Dubai.
7-9 April (Tuesday-Thursday): Future Health Summit, Adnec Center Abu Dhabi.
13-15 April (Monday-Wednesday): AIM Congress, Dubai World Trade Center.
14-16 April: (Tuesday-Thursday): the International Property Show, Dubai World Trade Center.
Saudi Arabia
13-16 April (Monday-Thursday): Leap Tech Conference, Riyadh Exhibition & Convention Center - Malham.
20-22 April (Monday-Wednesday): Sports Investment Forum (SIF), Riyadh
Egypt
30 March – 1 April (Monday-Wednesday): Egypt International Energy Conference and Exhibition (EGYPES).
