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Saudi–Trump Diriyah Talks; Emirates Eyes Starlink; Jahez Names New International Chief
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Monday, November 17, 2025
Happy Monday everyone!
Saudi Arabia is reportedly close to adding a Trump-branded development to its sixty-three-billion-dollar Diriyah project, The New York Times reports, with the timing falling just before Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s November 18 visit to Washington for talks with President Donald Trump on cooperation in energy, mining, rare earth elements, artificial intelligence and civil nuclear development. Emirates is also moving toward adopting SpaceX’s Starlink to upgrade onboard Wi-Fi across its two hundred and fifty aircraft, with a deal expected at the Dubai Airshow despite the service still awaiting approval in the United Arab Emirates. In Qatar, Hamad Mubarak Al-Hajri, founder and chief executive of the delivery super-app Snoonu, revealed on the Wise Guys Qatar podcast that he will become the International Chief Executive of Saudi Arabia’s Jahez.
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Saudi Arabia Reportedly Moves to Add Trump-Branded Tower to $63 Billion Diriyah Project
What It’s About?
Saudi Arabia is nearing a deal to bring a Trump-branded development into Diriyah, its $63 billion historic mega-project, The New York Times reports. The agreement would run through Dar Global, a major Saudi developer and one of the Trump Organization’s key foreign partners. Diriyah CEO Jerry Inzerillo said it is “just a matter of time.” The timing aligns with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Nov. 18 visit to Washington for high-stakes talks with President Trump covering energy, mining, rare earths, AI, and nuclear cooperation.
Why It Matters?
For Riyadh, securing a Trump-branded project strengthens Diriyah’s global appeal as Saudi Arabia accelerates Vision 2030’s tourism and real estate strategy. It also highlights deepening commercial alignment between the two countries, as the Trump Organization expands its Gulf presence with recent deals in Jeddah, Doha, and the UAE.
What’s Next?
U.S. officials have said discussions are ongoing for potentially selling close to 50 F-35s to Saudi Arabia, according to Bloomberg. Analysts expect new defense signals and possible commercial announcements at the Nov. 18 meeting, followed by a major U.S.–Saudi business forum that could reveal the status of the Diriyah deal.
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Emirates Moves Toward Starlink Deal in Potential Breakthrough for SpaceX
What It’s About?
Emirates is preparing to adopt SpaceX’s Starlink to upgrade onboard Wi-Fi across its 250-jet fleet, Bloomberg reports. The agreement is expected to be revealed at the Dubai Airshow, though the service isn’t currently approved for use in the UAE. Emirates — the world’s most profitable airline — also has more than 300 aircraft on order from Boeing and Airbus. A final deal would mark a major endorsement for Starlink from one of aviation’s most influential carriers.
Why It Matters?
Securing Emirates as a customer would accelerate Starlink’s global aviation push and challenge traditional in-flight connectivity providers. The move follows rapid regional adoption: Qatar Airways has already begun rolling out Starlink, and Saudia has signed a deal. For Emirates, the upgrade comes as the airline posts record 2024–25 results, including AED 22.7 billion profit and AED 145.4 billion revenue, signaling strong demand for premium service enhancements. The main obstacle: UAE regulators must reverse their current ban on Starlink.
What’s Next?
The industry will watch whether UAE authorities authorize Starlink for aviation use and whether the service gains certification for Emirates’ flagship A380. If approved, analysts expect a domino effect, with more Gulf carriers moving to adopt next-generation satellite connectivity. The outcome could reshape competitive dynamics in global inflight Wi-Fi.
Qatari Snoonu Founder to Become International CEO of Saudi Delivery Giant Jahez
What It’s About?
Hamad Mubarak Al-Hajri, founder and CEO of Qatar’s delivery super-app Snoonu, revealed on the Wise Guys Qatar podcast that he will become the International CEO of Saudi Arabia’s Jahez, one of the region’s largest food-delivery operators. The announcement follows Jahez’s recent $245 million acquisition of a 76.56% stake in Snoonu — one of Qatar’s biggest non–oil-and-gas transactions. As part of the deal, Jahez has allocated $20 million to launch Snoonu into a new international market, with a country CEO already appointed.
Why It Matters?
The move marks one of the most significant cross-border leadership shifts in the region’s fast-growing delivery economy. Snoonu, founded in 2019, has become Qatar’s leading super-app across food, groceries, e-commerce and logistics. Its integration into Jahez — which commands 32% of Saudi Arabia’s food-delivery market and operates platforms like PIK and Blu — creates a new powerhouse in GCC digital commerce. For investors, the deal signals consolidation, scale expansion and a stronger competitive front against both regional and global players.
What’s Next?
All eyes will be on Snoonu’s international rollout, which Al-Hajri will oversee while retaining 23.44% ownership in the company. Analysts expect Jahez to leverage its regional footprint in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait to accelerate Snoonu’s expansion. The combined entity is now positioned to challenge incumbents across the GCC and reshape the region’s delivery and e-commerce landscape.
🦄 World of Startups
Zid, Saudi e-commerce enablement platform, expands into Egypt through a partnership with digital store provider Zammit.
Bahrain launches $185mln fund to support SMEs
Deplike, Turkey-based AI music learning platform, raised undisclosed seed funding from 216 Capital to grow its Chordie AI app with 250K active users.
Chari, Morocco-based fintech and e-commerce platform, raised undisclosed Series A extension funding from Egypt’s DisrupTech Ventures to expand its embedded financial services for retailers.
Arab Therapy, Jordan-based online mental health platform, secured a strategic investment from Value Makers Studio (VMS) to grow its licensed telemedicine and corporate wellness services.
First Circle Capital, a female-led VC in Uganda and Morocco, raised $6M from IFC for its $25M pan-African fintech fund targeting pre-seed and seed-stage startups in fintech, insurtech, and climate tech.
👨💻From Smashi Business’ Desk
How Arab Business Leaders View Zohran Mamdani, New York City’s New Mayor
Dubai-listed Talabat reported a 31% jump in revenue to $1B, driven by higher user activity and booming food and grocery orders across the Middle East.
Beauty mogul Huda Kattan, founder of Huda Beauty, has called on the world not to look away from Sudan’s unfolding tragedy.
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