Saudi Arabia’s fintech licensing boom hits 261 firms as Gulf regulators race to widen digital finance access
Saudi Arabia’s fintech sector has reached 261 firms, while SAMA starts licensing open banking players.
Middle East
UAE banks keep 17% capital adequacy and 146.6% liquidity coverage as conflict risk rises
The UAE central bank says banks remain resilient, with assets above AED 5.42 trillion.
Citi, StanChart evacuate Dubai offices, HSBC closes Qatar branches as fears grow
Citi and Standard Chartered evacuate Dubai staff while HSBC temporarily closes Qatar branches.
Iranian military warns Middle East banks are now targets, rattling Dubai’s financial hub
Iran’s military warns that banks linked to the US and Israel are now valid regional targets.
ADNOC, Aramco exporters scramble to reroute crude via Red Sea as Gulf shipping grinds to halt
ADNOC and Aramco max out Red Sea pipelines as Iranian naval action halts 20 mbpd Gulf crude through Hormuz Strait.
QatarEnergy declares force majeure on LNG as Iranian drones hit Ras Laffan facilities
QatarEnergy invokes force majeure on 15 mtpa LNG contracts after Iranian strikes cripple Ras Laffan, sending spot prices to 20-year highs.
Saudi Aramco halts Ras Tanura refinery after Iranian drone strike amid Strait of Hormuz blockade
Saudi Aramco suspends operations at vital Ras Tanura refinery following Iranian drone attack, as Hormuz tensions threaten global supply chains.
Africa banking outlook brightens with stronger capital paving way for 2026 loan growth
Continent-wide recapitalisation and digital push set stage for double-digit loan growth across Africa in 2026.
Egypt Competition Authority clears Al Baraka Bank’s full takeover of Amlak Finance
Egypt’s competition watchdog approves Al Baraka’s buyout of Islamic mortgage pioneer Amlak, capping a flurry of sector M&A deals.
Nigeria banks scramble as CBN March 31 recapitalisation deadline nears – 13 lenders still short
With 25 days left, 13 Nigerian banks lag CBN’s capital targets, sparking merger talks as sector braces for shakeout.
