Monetary Policy Committee leaves interest rates unchanged

Good morning, friends, and congratulations on making it to the weekend.

But first, your weekly recap…

🗞️ LAST WEEK IN 3 MINS

The Monetary Policy Committee decided to leave interest rates unchanged statement polled by

Four state-owned companies have secured provisional EGX listings

Financing platform Valu saw its net income surge 78% y-o-y in 1Q 2026

Raya Holding is edging toward closing the loop on the six-year-long Ostool divestment saga.

AND- Regional giant Magrabi Retail will acquire 51% of homegrown optical group Baraka Optics.

London-based startup Dealfuze is launching an MEA-focused venture discovery platform targeting capital allocation gaps.

International lenders are competing to fund the USD 3 bn alumina refinery Egypt Aluminum (EgyptAlum) is building with Aluminium Bahrain

The Central Bank of Egypt quietly tightened oversight on how commercial banks interact with non-banking financial institutions.

The International Finance Corporation signed a USD 40 mn senior loan agreement with Sawiris-backed beet sugar producer Nile Sugar Company

AND- The government raised the ceiling on its medium-term international bond program to USD 40 bn

🌍 AROUND THE WORLD IN SEVEN DAYS

It’s been another unsurprisingly packed week, with mixed headlines taking center stage — here’s the rundown. warning

On Tuesday, Trump decided to “put off” a scheduled strike against Iran warned

Beijing made headlines as the outcome of the US-China summit proved anticlimactic after failing to secure any commitments. arrived warned

MEANWHILE- declared prompted

AND- A shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego on Tuesday killed three people

In AI news, Elon Musk lost his lawsuit against OpenAI plan to form integrating AI

IN THE BUSINESS PRESS- closed chaotic crowds and queues

ALSO- We’re inching closer to what will be the largest IPO ever

The roundup of news and trends that move your markets and shape corporate agendas delivered straight to your inbox.

☀️ THE WEATHER THIS WEEKEND

For the first time in a few weeks, we’re in for a moderately warm weekend.

🎤 HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND

German DJ Adam Port returns to Cairo night Ticketsmarché

Feeling nostalgic? Moustafa Amar is bringing exactly that to CJC 610 tonight perform link

Ali El Haggar returns to Theatro Arkan tonight. concert Ticketsmarché

The Goats are back tonight performing Ticketsmarché

🎤 HAPPENING NEXT WEEK

Sharmoofers are heading to AUC Tahrir Square on Monday, 25 May performing Ticketsmarché

Renowned Italian maestro Andrea Bocelli is landing in Egypt as part of his Romanza World Tour on Tuesday, 26 May Live Nation ME

Headed to Hurghada? Ahmed Saad, Ruby, and DJ Rodge are taking over on Thursday, 28 May concert Tazkarti

Pop icon Tamer Hosny is performing his biggest hits on Friday, 29 May Tazkarti