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- UAE Hiring Rebounds 4%; Nabta Raises $3M; Arada Enters Saudi Arabia
UAE Hiring Rebounds 4%; Nabta Raises $3M; Arada Enters Saudi Arabia
AI, tech, startup and business stories from the Arab world. For the driven, the dreamers and the doers
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
Happy Wednesday everyone!
UAE hiring rebounded 4% in the third quarter, leading the region as energy, finance and strategy roles drove recruitment. Meanwhile, women’s health startup Nabta Health raised $3 million to scale its AI-powered preventive healthcare business and expand partnerships with insurers, employers and healthcare providers. In Saudi Arabia, Arada launched Arada KSA with access to a SAR50 billion land bank across the Kingdom, starting with a SAR14 billion residential project in Riyadh.
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EGX30 | 51,098.83 | 0.40% |
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ADX | 9,777.17 | 0.062% |
Tadawul | 10,123.62 | 0.65% |
Arada Launches Saudi Business With SAR50B Land Bank and SAR14B Riyadh Project
What Happened
Arada has launched Arada KSA in partnership with regional community and lifestyle company XTOPIA to expand its real estate development business in Saudi Arabia. The new company has access to a 10 million-square-metre land bank valued at SAR50 billion across Riyadh, Jeddah and Makkah. Its first project is a SAR14 billion residential master plan in Riyadh’s Al Rimal District.
Why It Matters
The expansion strengthens Arada’s presence in Saudi Arabia’s real estate market, supported by a substantial land portfolio and a local strategic partner. The first project will cover approximately 2.5 million square metres and include around 3,500 villas and townhouses, 100,000 trees, a school, retail outlets and sports facilities. The development aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and quality-of-life objectives.
What's Next
Construction and sales for the Al Rimal development are scheduled to begin in 2027. The project will be funded through an investment structure regulated by the Capital Market Authority and managed by a licensed financial company. Mohammed AlDhabaan, Chairman of XTOPIA, has been appointed Chairman of Arada KSA as the company prepares to develop large-scale residential communities across the Kingdom.
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UAE Hiring Rebounds 4% in Q3 as Energy and Finance Jobs Pick Up
Graph: The National
What Happened
Hiring in the UAE rose 4% in the third quarter of 2026, recovering from a 4% decline in the previous quarter, according to recruitment firm Cooper Fitch. The UAE recorded the strongest growth across the Gulf, where hiring increased 2% overall. Saudi Arabia’s recruitment market grew 1.5%, while Oman recorded 0.5% growth. Hiring declined in Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain.
Why It Matters
Energy hiring rose 7% across the Gulf, followed by strategy at 6% and finance at 5%. Real estate and software recruitment each increased 4%. The recovery came despite uncertainty linked to the Middle East conflict and disruption to regional shipping. However, banking hiring fell 4% and investment management recruitment dropped 5%, highlighting uneven demand across sectors.
What's Next
Employers are expected to remain selective as they balance recruitment needs against elevated costs and uncertainty over trade and shipping routes. Cooper Fitch said demand had strengthened, but competition for specialised talent was intensifying. The key question for the fourth quarter is whether the recovery can continue amid geopolitical and economic uncertainty.
UAE-Based Nabta Health Raises $3 Million to Scale AI-Powered Healthcare
What Happened
UAE-based Nabta Health has raised $3 million in the second tranche of its Pre-Series A funding round, led by Phoenix Venture Partners (PVP). Founded in 2017, the women’s health startup develops AI-powered preventive healthcare solutions, including its health guidance platform, Aya. The funding includes primary and secondary capital and attracted institutional investors, venture capital firms, family offices and high-net-worth individuals.
Why It Matters
Nabta Health is shifting its focus from technology development and clinical infrastructure towards sales and commercial expansion. Its platform combines early disease detection, digital care and clinical services, aiming to improve health outcomes and reduce long-term healthcare costs. The investment highlights efforts to scale AI-powered healthcare solutions and expand access through institutional partnerships.
What's Next
Nabta Health plans to expand its enterprise offerings and establish new commercial relationships with employers, insurers and healthcare providers. Phoenix Venture Partners CEO Steve Khayat will join the startup’s board as the firm’s representative. Nabta Health CEO Sophie Smith said PVP would provide regional connections and operational support to help accelerate customer acquisition and build a scalable business model.
👨💻From Smashi Business’ Desk
Dubai-born fragrance brand KAYALI will enter China on October 15.
Saudi-born dining platform SPICE has ruled out offering cashback on shisha or alcohol at partner restaurants as it keeps its rewards model aligned with Islamic principles.
Uber will invest $50 million in Jordan over the next three years, targeting the country’s mobility ecosystem while supporting economic opportunities, tourism and access.
Dubai Crown Prince HH Sheikh Hamdan just shared his Etihad Rail ticket on Snapchat as Dubai-Abu Dhabi passenger services prepare to launch on September 30.
🔍In other news…
UAE and France deepen defence ties with Rafale F5 fighter-jet deal
Abu Dhabi and Qatar funds back Jio IPO
Weight-loss drugs Mounjaro and Foundayo to be packaged in UAE
Bahrain and France to co-develop civil nuclear energy
UAE is powering along with US technology co-operation, Yousef Al Otaiba says
Hormuz could be 'redundant' in five years, replaced by new routes, HSBC CEO says
Syria’s first DNA-based identifications offer hope for families of the missing
🦄 World of Startups
Echelon: Riyadh AI firm Echelon names East40, RAED Ventures, Avra and Ben Horowitz as backers.
MNT-Halan: MNT-Halan prices its EGX IPO at EGP 24.50 per share, valuing the 20% stake at EGP 7.84 billion.
Project Suppliers: Saudi platform Project Suppliers raises $1 million in pre-seed funding to develop AI cash-flow tools.
MoneyHash × VaultsPay: MoneyHash merchants can now accept VaultsPay’s UAE card and wallet payments without separate integration.
TiE Women MENA: Five startups win regional TiE Women MENA tracks and advance to the GITEX Global final.
Sheraa × Nestlé UAE: Sheraa, Nestlé UAE, MAJRA and UAE Food Cluster launch a three-month programme for young founders.
