According to the IMF, private credit assets grew to $2.1 trillion globally in 2023. With banks less willing to lend to riskier firms in the US and Europe, private credit has stepped in as a key lender.

In the GCC, private credit activity has surged, with financial institutions setting up new funds and financing transactions. Examples include Mubadala and Goldman Sachs setting up a $1bn private credit fund in February 2024.

In our 29th episode, we spoke to Ahmad Alanani, co-founder and CEO of Sancta Capital.

With over 20 years of experience in debt restructuring and structured lending, Ahmad shares his insights into the growth of private credit in the region and its future.

In this episode, we covered several topics including

• The development of private credit in the Gulf
• Exploring different financing structures
• Looking at the risks in the coming years

Email us: hassan@majlisandmarkets.com

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The Middle East, Pakistan and Turkey secured $665 million in funding in the first half of 2024, equating to an 18% drop from last year, according to Magnitt, a Dubai-based VC data platform.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia led the MENA region with $412 million in VC funding, despite a slight 7% decline. Investor numbers in the MENA increased by 33%, showing resilience in early-stage funding.

In our 28th episode, we spoke with Ivo Detelinov, General Partner at Oryx Fund, an early stage VC fund focused on the MENA region and managed by London-based VC firm Salica Investments.

In this episode, we spoke over several topics including:

• The current VC landscape in Saudi Arabia and the region
• Type of financing to start-ups
• VC outlook for 2H24 and 2025

Email us: hassan@majlisandmarkets.com

Intro theme song-Arab and Muslim by StockMusic via Pixabay

The modern Islamic finance industry has grown since the 1970s into a $5 trillion industry. Critics argue that despite its ethical roots, it often prioritizes shareholder returns over impact investing.

Whilst Islamic finance shares principles with ethical finance, it usually focuses on profits rather than social and environmental outcomes.

In our 27th episode, we spoke to Reza Jaufeerally, a specialist in Islamic and ethical finance at the University of Leuven in Belgium.

In our discussion, we touch on several topics

• Unpacking what impact investing is
• Why Islamic finance struggles with impact investing
• How to enhance Islamic impact investing in Muslim-majority countries

Email us: hassan@majlisandmarkets.com

Reza's Twitter (now X) handle-https://x.com/RZJ1

Serenity Prayer by Reinhold Niebuhr; If by Rudyard Kipling

Intro theme song-Arab and Muslim by StockMusic via Pixabay