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Middle East Business Moves: $30B AI Hub, Al Habtoor vs Lebanon, and Saudi’s Premium Residency Expansion
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
Happy Tuesday everyone!
The Middle East is making bold moves that are capturing global attention—from groundbreaking AI projects and high-stakes investment disputes to innovative residency programs designed to attract the world’s wealthiest and most talented. In this edition, we break down the latest developments shaping the region’s business and investment landscape, showing how the UAE and Saudi Arabia are positioning themselves as hubs of technology, opportunity, and international influence.
UAE’s $30B Stargate AI Project Takes Shape
What’s it About?
The UAE announced that its flagship Stargate data centre will cost over $30 billion, making it one of the largest AI infrastructure projects ever. The 5-gigawatt campus, spanning 19+ square kilometres, will support both domestic AI ambitions and the sovereign AI needs of other nations. Partners include OpenAI, Oracle, Nvidia, Cisco, and SoftBank, highlighting its global significance.
Why it Matters?
Stargate positions the UAE as a central hub for international AI collaborations and trusted digital infrastructure. The project enables countries without AI resources to access computing power, data sovereignty, and model training capabilities, while boosting the UAE’s potential to export large language models and AI governance frameworks.
What’s Next?
Construction and development will continue in 2026, with the Emirates aiming to establish Stargate as a global AI powerhouse, attracting international partners and positioning the UAE at the forefront of advanced AI solutions.
Markets
EGX 30 | 47,507.43 | 1.39% |
DFMGI | 6,446.15 | 0.59% |
ADX | 10,264.23 | 0.21% |
Tadawul | 11,270.62 | 0.019% |
Al Habtoor Group Escalates Legal Action Against Lebanon
What’s it About?
The UAE-based Al Habtoor Group announced plans to pursue legal action against Lebanon over unresolved investment disputes, citing $1.7 billion in losses tied to banking restrictions and state inaction. The conglomerate’s assets in hospitality, real estate, and other sectors have suffered severely, despite years of good-faith negotiations.
Why it Matters?
This move underscores the importance of investor protection and legal accountability in unstable economies. Al Habtoor Group’s escalation signals that prolonged governmental inaction and institutional failures can directly impact foreign investment confidence.
What’s Next?
The group will move forward with international legal measures to protect its rights under bilateral agreements, while remaining open to constructive solutions that could restore its assets. This may set a precedent for other foreign investors navigating Lebanon’s ongoing economic crisis.
Saudi Arabia Eyes Expanded Premium Residency Program
What’s it About?
Saudi Arabia is considering expanding its premium residency program, potentially welcoming high-net-worth individuals, superyacht owners, elite students, and top-tier entrepreneurs. Applicants may need ministry recommendations, and proposed fees for new categories could be around $1,000.
Why it Matters?
The expansion aims to attract investment, talent, and expertise, supporting economic diversification and helping Saudi Arabia compete with regional hubs like Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Premium residency also provides expats with stability, family inclusion, and easier business access.
What’s Next?
New rules could be announced as soon as April 2026, though final approval is pending. If implemented, Saudi Arabia expects increased foreign investment, skilled migration, and economic growth, reinforcing its strategy to transform into a global business destination.
🦄 World of Startups
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
AI Integration Gains Momentum in UAE as Firms Reap Early Rewards
Argentum AI Taps Saudi Golf Leader Majed Al Sorour for Global Expansion Drive
SIRBAI and EDGE Forge Strategic UAE Alliance to Elevate Drone Autonomy
👨💻From Smashi Business’ Desk
Binghatti Holding Puts IPO on Hold, Focuses on Expansion with Strong Cash Reserves
Dubai’s Eat App Secures $10M to Expand Global Restaurant Booking Platform, Enters India via Swiggy Partnership
Egypt’s Zeal Raises $4M, Eyes F1 Star Lando Norris as Angel Investor to Boost AI-Powered Retail Platform
Trump Taps Israeli Billionaire Yakir Gabay for Controversial Gaza “Board of Peace”
Damac Founder Hussain Sajwani Sparks Viral Debate at Davos: “There’s No Such Thing as 9 to 5 in Business”
🔍In other news…
🗓️ Plan Your Events (Jan-Feb 2026)
UAE
21-27 January: Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, Dubai.
21-24 January: Acres Real Estate Exhibition, Expo Center, Sharjah.
26-30 January: Gulfood 2026, Dubai
31 January-February 1: Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival (Media Partners)
3-5 February: The World Governments Summit, Dubai.
9-12 February: World Health Expo (WHX), Dubai.
11-12 February: STEP Dubai Conference, Dubai Internet City. (Media Partners)
Saudi Arabia
28-30 January: Jeddah International Travel and Tourism Exhibition (JTTX), Jeddah.
2-4 February: Saudi Media Forum, Riyadh.
2-4 February: Women Leaders Summit and Awards KSA, Riyadh.
8-12 February: World Defense Show, Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center, Riyadh.
Egypt
5-7 February: RiseUp Summit, Cairo. (Media Partners)
11-12 February: Ai Everything Egypt (Organized by GITEX Global), Cairo. (Media Partners)
Qatar
1-4 February: Web Summit Qatar, Doha. (Media Partners)
2-5 February: 21st International Conference & Exhibition on Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG2026)
