Egypt In-focus: Unemployment rate remains unchanged in Q2, Saudi firm signs MoU with Egyptian online grocery store

The Egyptian labor force grew to 29.985 million from 29.895 million in the previous quarter, where the employment figures increased from 27.750 million to 27.834 million. 
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Updated 15 August 2022
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Egypt In-focus: Unemployment rate remains unchanged in Q2, Saudi firm signs MoU with Egyptian online grocery store

CAIRO: The unemployment rate in the North African country remained unchanged at 7.2 percent in the second quarter of 2022, according to a report from the Central Agency of Public Mobilization and Statistics.

The Egyptian labor force grew to 29.99 million from 29.89 million in the previous quarter, where the employment figures increased from 27.75 million to 27.83 million. 

The unemployment level also slightly increased from 2.15 million in the first quarter of 2022 to 2.15 million in the second quarter of 2022.  

New ministers take charge

On Aug. 13, 13 new ministers took oath including Ahmed Issa, the new minister of tourism and antiquities.

Ahmed Issa brings years of banking experience to the table as the former CEO of retail banking at Commercial International Bank.

Apetito and Purity sign MOU

Saudi-based Purity has signed a memorandum of understanding with Apetito— an Egyptian online grocery store operating in Egypt, Tunisia, and Morocco — to help expand its services in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East and North Africa region.

Purity is known for its expertise in IT infrastructure and app development; therefore, it would serve Apetitio in achieving its $25 million investment goal.

Moreover, Purity CEO Abdullah Al-Namlah will become part of Appetito’s board of directors, reported Daily News Egypt.

“We are very pleased with this partnership with Purity, which is a regional leader in IT and investments,” stated Apetito CEO Shehab Mokhtar.

 “We aim to massively expand our operations in Saudi Arabia, as well as prospective presence across neighboring markets,” he added.

BONBELL closes $350K deal

BONBELL— a foodtech startup founded in Egypt in 2022— has secured a $350,000 investment from a Canadian angel investor.

 The startup provides an online platform for food orders and deliveries with its restaurant partners, in addition to providing in-app table reservations.

 This new investment will be used to increase its partnership with other restaurants,  aiming at 750 restaurants by the end of this year.

Moreover, BONBELL is targeting another $10 million investment with two venture capital funds from Europe and the Gulf, reported WAMDA.

 


Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes higher at 10,596 

Updated 23 December 2025
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Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes higher at 10,596 

RIYADH: Saudi equities closed higher on Tuesday, with the Tadawul All Share Index rising 43.59 points, or 0.41 percent, to finish at 10,595.85, supported by broad-based buying and strength in select mid-cap stocks. 

Market breadth was firmly positive, with 170 stocks advancing against 90 decliners, while trading activity saw 161.96 million shares change hands, generating a total value of SR3.39 billion. 

Meanwhile, the MT30 Index closed higher, gaining 6.52 points, or 0.47 percent, to 1,399.11, while the Nomu Parallel Market Index edged marginally lower, slipping 3.33 points, or 0.01 percent, to 23,267.77. 

Among the session’s top gainers, Al Masar Al Shamil Education Co. surged 9.99 percent to close at SR26.20, while Saudi Cable Co. jumped 9.98 percent to SR147.70.  
Cherry Trading Co. rose 4.18 percent to SR25.44, and United Carton Industries Co. advanced 4.09 percent to SR26.46. 

Al Yamamah Steel Industries Co. also posted solid gains, climbing 4.07 percent to end at SR32.70.  

On the downside, Emaar The Economic City led losses, slipping 3.55 percent to SR10.32, followed by Derayah REIT Fund, which fell 2.92 percent to SR5.31. 

Derayah Financial Co. declined 2.13 percent to SR26.62, while United International Holding Co. retreated 1.96 percent to SR155.20, and Gulf Union Alahlia Cooperative Insurance Co. eased 1.92 percent to SR10.70.  

On the announcements front, Red Sea International Co. said it signed a SR202.8 million contract with Webuild S.P.A. to provide integrated facilities management services for the Trojena project at Neom. 

The agreement covers operations and maintenance for the project’s Main Camp and Spike Camp, including accommodation and housekeeping, catering, security, IT and communications, utilities, waste management, fire safety and emergency response, as well as other supporting services.  

The contract runs for two years, with the financial impact expected to begin in the first quarter of 2026. Shares of Red Sea International closed up 0.99 percent at SR34.74. 

Al Moammar Information Systems Co. disclosed that it received an award notification from Humain to design and build a data center dedicated to artificial intelligence technologies, with a total value exceeding 155 percent of the company’s 2024 revenue, inclusive of VAT. 

The contract is expected to be formally signed in February 2026, underscoring the scale of the project and its potential impact on the company’s future revenues.  

MIS shares ended the session 2.82 percent higher at SR156.70, reflecting positive investor sentiment following the announcement.