VIENNA: Europe is unlikely to benefit soon from a coming golden age of natural gas as unconventional sources will not transform supply of the fuel and oil-linked contracts will keep its prices high, the head of the International Energy Agency (IEA) said.
"The rosy global outlook for gas is not necessarily reflected in Europe today," Maria van der Hoeven told an energy conference in Vienna yesterday. "The verdict on the golden age of gas in Europe? It's unlikely to emerge in Europe any time soon."
She made the comments just three weeks after the IEA's chief economist, Fatih Birol, re-emphasized his thesis that Europe will benefit from a golden age of gas through the availability of new supply sources.
Gas prices in the United States have halved in the past five years, driven by a boom in shale gas production that has not been matched in Europe, partly due to environmental concerns that extraction can pollute water supplies.
"We do see some possibilities for unconventional gas production in Europe — Poland is the best example — but looking at Europe as a whole we do not see this having a transformative effect," Van der Hoeven said.
Poland aims to be Europe's shale-gas pioneer and wants a legal framework for the development of the potentially lucrative energy resource to go into force next year.
Van der Hoeven said the importance of Russian gas imports for Europe was now overstated, with Russia's Gazprom, the world's largest gas company, putting plans to extract gas from the Arctic seabed on ice, and US demand drying up.
"Russia will continue to be an important supplier but given the hype over recent years, gas trade may not be so overwhelming as it appears," she said. "In terms of volume, gas imports from Russia are not overwhelming compared to other fuels or sources."
She said the European Union's challenge to Gazprom's pricing on European gas markets, which has caused a row between the EU and Russia, was well founded as Gazprom's indexing of gas to oil prices was distorting the market.
"Why has gas proven to be such a thorny issue politically between the EU and Russia? We think the problem lies with OPEC (The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) and inefficient markets. So the development of functional and efficient markets can depoliticize the gas relationship."
"The oil index pricing structure of many gas contracts is precisely what is keeping prices high in Europe — prices which are cannibalizing European demand," she said.
Van der Hoeven also said the IEA, the West's energy policy adviser, still saw the global oil market as sufficiently supplied, with no reason to release extra reserves now.
"There is no reason for action at this moment," she said when asked whether reserves should be released.
"High prices alone are not a reason to release the strategic stocks," she said. "The market in our view is sufficiently supplied."
"Yes, there are always some clear signs of tightness, especially product markets at this moment," she added. "Of course we monitor the markets to see what's happening and we stand ready to act."
IEA head sees no golden age soon for European gas
IEA head sees no golden age soon for European gas
Saudi Arabia’s startup ecosystem kicks off 2025 on a strong note
- Zension Technologies raises $30 million in a series A funding round
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s venture capital and startup ecosystem kicked off 2025 with fresh funding rounds as the Kingdom continues its regional dominance.
Zension Technologies raised $30 million in a series A funding round led by Wa’ed Ventures, the venture capital arm of Saudi Aramco.
The round also saw participation from Japan’s Sumitomo Corporation and regional investor Global Ventures.
Founded in 2018 by Khalid Saiduddin and Nikos Anastasiadis, Zension provides protection, extended warranty, and guaranteed buyback services for mobile devices and consumer electronics.
These services are integrated into major retailers, telecommunications companies, and original equipment manufacturers operating in the Saudi and UAE markets.
With the fresh funding, Zension aims to launch its new service, Zaam, which is set to debut in the first quarter of the year across Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
SVC backs $150m tech fund by Global Ventures
Saudi Venture Capital has announced its investment in Global Ventures III, an early-stage fund exceeding $150 million in size.
Managed by UAE-based Global Ventures, it will focus on investments in technology and tech-enabled sectors across Saudi Arabia, the Middle East and North Africa, and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Target industries include supply chain technology, agritech, enterprise software as a service, and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and deep tech.
“Our investment in the venture capital fund by Global Ventures is part of SVC’s Investment in Funds Program, in alignment with our strategy to catalyze venture investments by fund managers investing in Saudi-based startups, especially during their early stages,” said Nabeel Koshak, CEO and board member at SVC.
The market opportunity continues to be immense, with emerging technologies across platforms being built by exceptional founders continuing to shine through.
Noor Sweid, founder and managing partner at Global Ventures
Noor Sweid, founder and managing partner at Global Ventures, emphasized the importance of the collaboration, saying: “We are proud of our deep and continued partnership with SVC, and the investment underscores our continued deep commitment to enabling and building the Saudi Arabian VC and startup ecosystem.
“The market opportunity continues to be immense, with emerging technologies across platforms being built by exceptional founders continuing to shine through.”
SVC, a subsidiary of SME Bank under Saudi Arabia’s National Development Fund, was established in 2018 to stimulate and sustain financing for startups and SMEs across their growth stages, from pre-seed to pre-initial public offering, through investments in funds and direct investments.
Interior design platform Revie raises $2.5m seed round
Saudi Arabia-based interior design and renovation platform Revie has raised $2.5 million in a seed funding round led by Sanabil Venture Studio by Stryber.
Established in 2024 by Ibrahim Abu Khadra, Revie provides an end-to-end solution for residential and commercial renovations.
The platform connects customers with vetted service providers and offers a seamless experience from design to execution. With the new funding, the company plans to invest in its technology and build a scalable foundation to support long-term growth.
Vreal secures pre-seed investment for AR/VR innovations
Saudi augmented and virtual reality technology provider Vreal has raised an undisclosed pre-seed investment round from the numu Angels Investment Community.
Founded in 2022, Vreal offers e-commerce businesses the ability to convert their products into 3D models in as little as 30 seconds using its advanced scanning technology.
The startup is exploring opportunities to expand its applications to other industries, including interior design, real estate, tourism, and heritage preservation. Vreal aims to strengthen its position in Saudi Arabia and tap into broader markets with its innovative technology.
MilkStraw AI raises $600k pre-seed funding to expand in MENA
UAE-headquartered artificial intelligence startup MilkStraw AI has raised $600,000 in pre-seed funding. The round was led by Flat6Labs, with participation from Angel Spark, Beyond Capital, and a group of angel investors.
MilkStraw, founded by Jawad Shreim in 2024 in the US, specializes in software solutions that automate and optimize cloud infrastructure costs for businesses.
The company intends to use the funding to expand its operations across the MENA region, focusing on providing cost-saving AI tools to enterprises in the region.
Mintiply Capital partners with Fuel Venture Capital for GCC-focused SPV
UAE-based Mintiply Capital, an advisory and investment banking firm specializing in mergers and acquisitions and alternative investments, has announced an exclusive partnership with US-based venture capital firm Fuel Venture Capital.
The collaboration aims to launch a Special Purpose Vehicle targeting high-potential early-stage startups across the Gulf Cooperation Council region, with a particular focus on the UAE.
This initiative is aligned with the UAE’s strategic goal of fostering a robust startup ecosystem and driving innovation as a key pillar of economic growth.
The SPV will provide targeted funding and resources to emerging startups, supporting the development of the UAE’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and promoting sustainable economic growth.
ReNile raises $450k for agritech solutions
Egypt-based agritech startup ReNile has secured $450,000 in funding from undisclosed investors.
Founded in 2017 by Hazem El-Tawab, ReNile offers a full-stack solution for farmers that includes monitoring systems, emergency alerts, control systems, and analytics to enhance farming practices.
The company’s platform supports data-driven farming, helping users implement best-practice models to improve efficiency and yield.
MSME lending in Saudi Arabia grows by 22.6 percent in Q3 2024
Credit facilities extended to micro, small, and medium enterprises in Saudi Arabia reached SR329.23 billion ($87.8 billion) in the third quarter of 2024, marking a 22.6 percent year-on-year increase, according to data from the Saudi Central Bank.
Of the total, 94.7 percent of loans were provided by Saudi banks, while finance companies contributed the remaining 5.3 percent.
MSME lending accounted for 9.1 percent of banks’ total loan portfolios and 18.8 percent of finance companies’ portfolios.
The Saudi government has set an ambitious target for financial institutions to allocate at least 20 percent of their lending portfolios to this critical sector, as part of its Vision 2030 strategy to foster economic diversification and support business growth.
Saudi Arabia tops MENA venture capital rankings for second year
Saudi Arabia retained its position as the leading destination for venture capital in the MENA region in 2024, raising $750 million, according to a report from regional venture platform MAGNiTT.
This marks the second consecutive year the Kingdom has led regional VC rankings. Saudi Arabia accounted for 40 percent of the total venture capital deployed in MENA, closing 178 deals — the most of any nation in the region.
While total venture capital raised in MENA declined 29 percent year-on-year to $1.9 billion in 2024, MAGNiTT noted that funding levels remained above pre-boom levels from 2020, indicating resilience in the ecosystem.
The Middle East alone accounted for $1.5 billion of this funding, spread across 461 deals, a 10 percent annual increase.
Investor participation in the region grew 14 percent to 392 investors, and the year saw 24 exits.
However, emerging venture markets — including the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia, as well as Pakistan and Turkiye — faced a sharp slowdown, with total venture funding dropping 40 percent and deal volumes falling 20 percent compared to 2023.
Both metrics also fell below 2020 levels, reflecting broader challenges in the global venture landscape.
Saudi PIF on track to reach $2tn in AuM, 2nd-largest globally by 2030
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund is set to be ranked second among the world’s sovereign wealth bodies by 2030 with $2 trillion in assets under management, according to monitoring organization Global SWF.
A report from the firm forecasts PIF will more than double its current AuM value of $925 billion by the end of the decade, and rise from its 2024 ranking of sixth among global state-owned investor funds.
According to projections from the institute, PIF’s AuM in 2030 will represent 10.5 percent of the global sovereign wealth funds’ total assets, which are set to reach $19 trillion, as it rises from sixth place
Diego Lopez, founder and managing director at Global SWF, said: “Capital attracts capital — so international financial institutions are attracted in partnering with a player with such a huge balance sheet and role in the economic development.”
According to the report, to achieve its ambitious goal of reaching $2 trillion by 2030, the PIF will depend on a combination of strategies. These include oil revenue allocations, which refer to the portion of the Kingdom’s oil earnings transferred to the PIF, debt issuance, and returns generated from its investments.
“Saudi Arabia needs to make its capital base sustainable, diversified and resilient to lower levels of oil prices,” Lopez told Arab News.
“That means raising debt, as PIF has been doing, and eventually raising equity through subsidiaries that can act as asset managers — we see this working very well in Abu Dhabi with Mubadala Capital, Lunate, etc,” he added.
According to the report, the PIF’s 10-year annualized return from 2013 to 2022 stood at 6.9 percent, outperforming the sovereign wealth fund average of 5.7 percent annually.
In 2024, the global economy showed resilience despite geopolitical risks and market uncertainties, with global GDP growth projected at 3.2 percent, slightly improving to 3.3 percent in 2025, according to the OECD.
The International Monetary Fund forecasts a subdued five-year outlook of 3.1 percent, reflecting weaker growth in China, Latin America, and the EU. Developed markets are facing slower growth due to tightening monetary policies, while developing economies maintain greater stability.
Central banks, led by the US Federal Reserve, began easing rates in 2024, responding to reduced inflationary pressures. According to the report, as the global economy adapts, sovereign wealth funds are increasingly focused on capital preservation and stimulating foreign direct investment, with those in the Middle East and North Africa region entering a new phase of growth.
Saudi Arabia offers robust economic expansion fueled by diversification initiatives and ambitious mega-projects like NEOM, the Red Sea Project, and Qiddiya.
PIF’s investments are strategically positioned to capitalize on these high-growth areas, making it a gateway for investors seeking exposure to dynamic emerging market opportunities.
GCC sees greater international attention
According to the report, global sovereign wealth funds have, for the first time, surpassed $13 trillion in assets under management, with capital heavily concentrated in two key regions — the Gulf Cooperation Council, holding 38 percent of the total, and Southeast Asia at 10 percent.
Interest in these powerful global investors remains strong, the report said, drawing heightened international attention to the GCC, a region with fewer than 60 million residents.
Previously named the “Region of the Year” by Global SWF, the GCC has seen a wave of global asset managers and bankers establishing local offices to capitalize on burgeoning opportunities. According to the report, the GCC-Southeast Asia axis is expected to continue driving growth across the sovereign wealth landscape.
PIF represented 7.11 percent of MENA’s sovereign wealth funds’ AuM, with assets totaling $925 billion.
Leading the rankings is Abu Dhabi Investment Authority at $1.11 trillion, followed by Kuwait Investment Authority with $969 billion.
Global sovereign wealth fund investments totaled $136.1 billion across 358 transactions in 2024. The “Oil Five” — ADIA, ADQ, PIF, QIA, and Mubadala — maintained their dominance, together accounting for 60 percent of the total investment value, amounting to $82 billion. As a result, they secured positions among the top 19 dealmakers of the year.
This marks a significant rise from $74 billion in both 2023 and 2022, $41 billion in 2021, $39 billion in 2020, and $28 billion in 2019, reflecting the accelerating investment momentum of these sovereign wealth giants.
While some Gulf sovereign wealth funds leaned toward emerging markets, including their domestic economies, developed markets remained the dominant choice for most global sovereign investors.
Saudi Arabia’s PIF, Abu Dhabi’s ADQ, and Qatar’s QIA exhibited a preference for emerging markets, reflecting their strategic focus on regional and high-growth economies.
PIF investments
According to the report, a significant factor driving the PIF’s growth is its projected boost in domestic spending to $70 billion annually by 2025.
The fund’s investment strategy is focused on high-growth sectors, including infrastructure, digitalization, AI, and renewable energy.
Among the top 15 largest global investments by sovereign wealth funds in 2024 was PIF’s $3 billion acquisition of a 51 percent stake in Saudi Arabia’s TAWAL and $2.16 billion of a 40 percent stake in Selfridges in the UK.
Other significant investments for the PIF include a 15 percent stake in Heathrow Airport for $1.8 billion.
According to the institute, the largest deals are consistently pursued by a select group of funds known for their substantial firepower and risk appetite. This group includes the top 10 spenders, with the GCC’s “Big 5” leading the way.
Mubadala emerged as the leading sovereign investor in 2024, deploying $29.2 billion across 52 deals, a 67 percent increase from the previous year. It was followed by GIC at $26.6 billion, CPP with $21.1 billion, PIF at $19.9 billion, and ADIA at $17.1 billion.
PIF has also ventured into artificial intelligence and space, co-investing in Databricks and launching Neo Space Group to advance Saudi Arabia’s satellite industry.
These initiatives reflect the fund’s commitment to positioning Saudi Arabia as a leader in global digital and technological innovation.
PIF saw a 24 percent decline in its US equity portfolio, the report said. At the beginning of 2024, the fund sold shares in 18 companies worth nearly $13 billion, including pandemic-era investments like gaming giant Activision Blizzard, cruise leader Carnival, and entertainment company Live Nation, which yielded strong returns.
According to Lopez: “The sale of the listed equities was about monetizing a huge upside from their purchase during covid, rather than about decreasing the overseas portfolio.”
The expert noted the importance to recognize that while PIF’s domestic portfolio may be growing relative to its international holdings, the overall assets under management continue to expand, with significant investments being made outside the Kingdom.
PIF has also made significant investments in the electric vehicle sector, despite facing challenges with earlier ventures.
In 2019, PIF divested from Tesla but doubled down on Lucid Motors, placing a major bet on the EV manufacturer.
This strategic move has required substantial funding, including $2.8 billion in 2024 alone. Despite the financial commitment, PIF remains focused on its long-term vision for Saudi Arabia, supporting Lucid’s growth with a manufacturing facility in King Abdullah Economic City.
In January, Lucid Motors became the first global automotive company to join the Kingdom’s “Made in Saudi” program, reinforcing the country’s push to strengthen its industrial capabilities.
The program also supports Vision 2030’s goals of attracting investments, boosting non-oil exports, and creating sustainable jobs, while positioning Saudi Arabia as a hub for innovation and manufacturing in the EV sector.
PIF’s debt financing
On Jan. 6, PIF announced the completion of its inaugural $7 billion murabaha credit facility, supported by a syndicate of 20 international and regional financial institutions.
This Shariah-compliant financing structure is part of the fund’s medium-term capital raising strategy, aimed at diversifying its funding sources to support transformative investments both globally and within Saudi Arabia.
According to another report published by Global SWF in January, PIF’s use of debt financing mirrors a growing trend among sovereign wealth funds and public pension funds, which have raised around $700 billion over the past two decades.
Despite strong credit ratings from Moody’s and Fitch, PIF faces pressure from surging domestic investment in giga-projects like NEOM and Qiddiya, with annual funding needs expected to rise from $40 billion in 2023 to $70 billion by 2025.
Sustaining investor confidence will depend on its ability to manage financial obligations and execute Vision 2030 goals.
While markets currently support PIF’s sovereign-backed debt, delays or disruptions could strain resources and affect its ambitious agenda, making its financing strategy critical for both national economic transformation and global sovereign investment trends.
However, PIF’s diversified funding strategy, coupled with its ability to attract global partnerships, positions it as a transformative force capable of reshaping Saudi Arabia’s economic future and reinforcing its role as a leading driver of global investment innovation.
Oil Updates — crude jumps on concerns about more sanctions on Russia and Iran
LONDON: Oil prices surged on Friday and were on track for a third straight week of gains as traders focused on potential supply disruptions from more sanctions on Russia and Iran.
Brent crude futures gained $2.50, or 3.3 percent, to $79.42 a barrel by 3:48 p.m. Saudi time, reaching their highest in more than three months. US West Texas Intermediate crude futures advanced $2.39, or 3.2 percent, to $76.31.
“There are several drivers today. Longer term, the market is focused on the prospect for additional sanctions,” said Ole Hansen, head of commodity strategy at Saxo Bank. “Short term, the weather is very cold across the US, driving up demand for fuels.”
Ahead of US President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20, expectations are mounting over potential supply disruptions from tighter sanctions against Iran and Russia while oil stockpiles remain low.
This could materialize even earlier, with US President Joe Biden expected to announce new sanctions targeting Russia’s economy before Trump takes office. A key target of sanctions so far has been Russia’s oil industry.
The US weather bureau expects central and eastern parts of the country to experience below-average temperatures. Many regions in Europe have also been hit by extreme cold and are likely to continue to experience a colder than usual start to the year, which JPMorgan analysts expect to boost demand.
“We anticipate a significant year-over-year increase in global oil demand of 1.6 million barrels a day in the first quarter of 2025, primarily boosted by ... demand for heating oil, kerosene and LPG,” they said in a note on Friday.
Meanwhile, the premium on the front-month Brent contract over the six-month contract reached its widest since August this week, potentially indicating supply tightness at a time of rising demand.
Inflation worries are also delivering a boost to crude oil prices, said Saxo Bank’s Hansen. Investors are growing concerned about Trump’s planned tariffs, which could drive inflation higher. A popular trade to hedge against rising consumer prices is through buying oil futures.
Oil prices have rallied despite the US dollar strengthening for six straight weeks, making crude oil more expensive outside the US.
SABIC, Almarai, SEC able to absorb fuel price hike: S&P Global
RIYADH: Major Saudi companies, including chemical company SABIC, dairy firm Almarai, and Saudi Electric Co., are well-positioned to handle the impact of higher fuel and feedstock prices introduced on Jan. 1, according to a new report.
Released by capital market economy firm S&P Global, the analysis reveals that those corporates will be able to absorb the marginal increase in production costs by further improving operational efficiencies as well as potentially via pass-through mechanisms.
This came after Saudi Aramco increased diesel prices in the Kingdom to SR1.66 ($0.44) per liter, effective Jan. 1, marking a 44.3 percent rise compared to the start of 2024. The company has kept gasoline prices unchanged, with Gasoline 91 priced at SR2.18 per liter and Gasoline 93 at SR2.33 per liter.
Despite the hike, diesel prices in Saudi Arabia remain lower than those in many neighboring Arab countries. In the UAE and Qatar, a liter of diesel is priced at $0.73 and $0.56, respectively, while in Bahrain and Kuwait, it costs $0.42 and $0.39 per liter.
“For SABIC and Almarai, the increase in feedstock prices will not affect profitability significantly. In the case of utility company, SEC, additional support will likely come from the government if needed,” the report said.
The capital market economy firm projects that SABIC will continue to outperform global peers on profitability.
“We don’t expect the rise in feedstock and fuel prices to materially affect profitability, since the company estimates it will increase its cost of sales by only 0.2 percent,” the report said.
It further highlighted that SABIC is considered a government-related entity with a high possibility of receiving support when needed.
The report also underlines that Almarai anticipates an additional SR200 million in costs for 2025, driven by higher fuel prices and the indirect effects of increased expenses across other areas of its supply chain.
“We believe Almarai will continue focusing on business efficiency, cost optimization, and other initiatives to mitigate these impacts,” the release stressed.
With regards to SEC, S&P said that an unrestricted and uncapped balancing account provides a mechanism for government support, including related to the higher fuel costs.
“We believe any increased fuel cost will be covered by this balancing account,” the report said.
The study further highlights that the marginal increase “could significantly affect wider Saudi corporations’ profit margins and competitiveness.”
The S&P data also suggests that additional costs will be reflected in companies’ financials from the first quarter of 2025.
“Saudi Arabia is continuing its significant and rapid transformation under the country’s Vision 2030 program. We expect an acceleration of investments to diversify the Saudi economy away from its reliance on the upstream hydrocarbon sector,” the report said.
“The sheer scale of projects — estimated at more than $1 trillion in total — suggests large funding requirements. Higher feedstock and fuel prices would help reduce subsidy costs for the government, with those savings potentially redeployed to Vision 2030 projects,” it added.
Lenovo to produce ‘Saudi Made’ PCs by 2026 following $2bn Alat deal closure
RIYADH: Chinese tech giant Lenovo is set to manufacture millions of computer devices in Saudi Arabia by 2026, following the completion of a $2 billion investment deal with Alat, a subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund.
First announced in May, the partnership has now received shareholder and regulatory approvals, paving the way for Lenovo to establish a regional headquarters and a manufacturing facility in the Kingdom.
The deal marks a significant step in aligning Lenovo’s growth ambitions with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals of economic diversification, innovation, and job creation, the company said in a press release.
The factory will manufacture millions of PCs and servers every year using local research and development teams for fully end-to-end “Saudi Made” products and is expected to begin production by 2026, it added.
“Through this powerful strategic collaboration and investment, Lenovo will have significant resources and financial flexibility to further accelerate our transformation and grow our business by capitalizing on the incredible growth momentum in KSA and the wider MEA region,” Yang said.
He added: “We are excited to have Alat as our long-term strategic partner and are confident that our world-class supply chain, technology, and manufacturing capabilities will benefit KSA as it drives its Vision 2030 goals of economic diversification, industrial development, innovation, and job creation.”
Amit Midha, CEO of Alat, underscored the significance of the partnership for both Lenovo and the Kingdom.
“We are incredibly proud to become a strategic investor in Lenovo and partner with them on their continued journey as a leading global technology company,” said Midha.
“With the establishment of a regional headquarters in Riyadh and a world-class manufacturing hub, powered by clean energy, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, we expect the Lenovo team to further their potential across the MEA region,” he added.
The partnership is expected to generate thousands of jobs, strengthen the region’s technological infrastructure, and attract further investment into the Middle East and Africa, according to the press release.
In May, Lenovo raised $1.15 billion through the issuance of warrants to support its future growth plans. The initiative, which was fully subscribed by investors, signals confidence in Lenovo’s strategic approach and its plans for global expansion.
The investment deal was advised by Citi and Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton for Lenovo, while Morgan Stanley and Latham & Watkins represented Alat.
