Latest business news, startups, and economic insights from Lebanon and the MENA region.
Goldman Sachs estimates 300 million jobs globally are exposed to AI automation. These 10 college degrees train graduates for the exact layer of work AI absorbs first — the repeatable, the rule-based, and the routine. Here is what the data says, and where the value inside each discipline still lives.
Stouh Beirut says it reached more than 65,000 people across Lebanon in just over a month, distributing clothing, hygiene kits, dignity kits, water, medicines, food supplies and other essentials as families continue to face severe pressure in the aftermath of war.
The global billionaire population reached a record high in 2026, but wealth remains heavily concentrated. The United States, China, and India alone account for over half of the world’s billionaires, reflecting deep economic shifts driven by technology, markets, and capital flows.
Saudi-based sportstech startup ElGoat has secured $266,000 in seed funding via Trigon, aiming to expand its skill-based football prediction platform as demand rises for interactive, non-betting sports experiences across MENA.
As the Lebanese market pivots from traditional advertising to high-velocity digital engagement, a new hierarchy of agencies has emerged. This deep dive ranks the top 10 firms leading the charge, spearheaded by the content-first powerhouse Hypebox, followed by strategic veterans and tech-driven disruptors that are reshaping how Lebanese brands communicate globally.
Thinking of starting a business in Lebanon? This guide covers every step of the company registration process — from choosing between a SARL and SAL, to hiring a lawyer, depositing capital, and filing with the Commercial Register. Includes costs, tax rates, and timelines for 2026.
Nokia once dominated the global mobile phone market with about 40% share at its peak in 2007. Then Apple, Android, and the app economy rewrote the industry. This analysis explains why Nokia lost its edge, how the Microsoft bet accelerated its decline, and where Nokia is now as a telecom infrastructure and licensing company rather than a consumer phone powerhouse.
Egypt-based fintech Lucky secured $23 million in a Series B round that combines equity and debt, with participation from Disruptech Ventures, DPI Venture Capital via the Nclude fund, plus new strategic participation from Suez Canal Bank and OneStop. The company says the capital will support credit product expansion, infrastructure, and regional growth across North Africa.
Aramco Ventures participated in a $36 million funding round for Via Separations, alongside new investors Climate Investment and Marathon Petroleum, with existing backers also joining. Via Separations develops modular membrane filtration systems designed to replace heat-based industrial separation processes with more energy-efficient alternatives. The company says the funding will support global deployment, manufacturing expansion, and adoption across refining and chemicals.
Maison Safqa, a Saudi-based flash-sale ecommerce platform for premium and luxury brands, has raised $620,000 in a pre-seed round backed by 500 Global through the Sanabil MENA 500 Accelerator Fund, alongside Saudi and international angel investors. Founded in 2024, the company says it helps brands sell excess stock through controlled campaigns while maintaining pricing and brand positioning.
As of April 8, 2026, Lebanon is not clearly included in the ceasefire linked to the U.S.-Iran escalation. Israel says Lebanon is excluded, while Lebanese leaders and Hezbollah warn that conditions on the ground remain unsafe. Official statements from Beirut and Hezbollah confirm that no stable ceasefire has taken hold.
NTT DATA has acquired Zero&One, the first homegrown AWS Premier Tier Services Partner in the Middle East and North Africa. The acquisition strengthens NTT DATA’s cloud delivery in the region, while Zero&One continues to serve Middle East clients with the same team, now backed by a global IT services group. The deal highlights how Beirut built cloud talent and execution can scale into a strategic acquisition.
MENA startup funding dropped to $48.3 million in March 2026 across 17 disclosed deals, an 85% decline month on month and a 62% drop year on year, according to Wamda’s monthly tracking. The UAE led a subdued month, while Egypt recorded zero deals, signaling a market that has not disappeared but has shifted into a wait mode.
Over the past two decades, the United Arab Emirates has navigated four major economic disruptions, including the 2008 financial crisis, the 2014 oil price collapse, the COVID-19 pandemic, and recent geopolitical tensions. Each episode tested the country’s economic model and accelerated structural reforms. Data from global institutions show that the UAE’s ability to recover and expand non-oil sectors has strengthened its long-term growth outlook and investor confidence.
The Gulf’s economic story in 2026 is no longer defined by crude alone. Across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait, non-oil sectors now drive a growing share of output, investment and hiring. Official data and multilateral forecasts show tourism, trade infrastructure, financial services, renewable energy and digital industries carrying more of the region’s momentum as GCC governments deepen diversification strategies.