Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny UAE (“MB UAE”) acted as the lead transactional legal counsel to Synapse Analytics in connection with securing USD 2 million from its funding round and handling all matters concerning its legal efficacy, negotiation, and closing.The investment round was led by venture capital firms; Silicon Badia and Hub 71. Synapse Analytics seeks to address the socioeconomic challenge of financial inclusion and access, by providing intricate and cutting-edge AI software to enhance financial decisions such as credit scoring, cross-selling, and dynamic pricing, among other ancillary activities. The MB UAE team advising on the matter was led by Mohamed Essam (Partner and Head of Fintech & Emerging Companies and Venture Capital) and Moustafa Rizk (Associate). For more about Matouk Bassiouny, check out our website at https://matoukbassiouny.com/. For any assistance on venture capital fundraising, please feel free to contact [email protected]    

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy (“MBH”) acted as the lead transactional legal counsel to Lucky One,a Cairo-based fintech company, in connection with securing USD 3 million from its funding round in the form of a convertible note, handling all matters concerning its legal efficacy, negotiation, and closing. The funding round included Lorax Capital Partners, KEM, and DisruptTech Ventures. The newly obtained capital injection will bolster Lucky One’s efforts to become profitable and help align with Egypt’s national financial inclusion agenda. The MBH team advising on the matter was led by Mohamed Essam (Partner and Head of Fintech & Emerging Companies and Venture Capital), Moustafa Rizk (Associate), and Dina Kamel (Associate). For more information about Matouk Bassiouny, please visit www.matoukbassiouny.com    

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy (“MBH”) acted as legal counsel to Otsuka Holdings (“Otsuka”), a prominent a holding company, which operates various businesses such as pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals and consumer products, in connection with the Commercial International Bank’s (“CIB”) divestment in Egypt Otsuka Pharmaceuticals (“EOP”) where Otsuka acquired CIB’s 12% equity stake. Through this acquisition, Otsuka seeks to strengthen its operations in the MENA region, with a particular focus on Egypt, to meet the growing demand for its products in the MENA region. In 2019, MBH played a crucial role by advising Otsuka in the strategic sale of a 12% stake to CIB. This partnership not only reinforced EOP’s market position but also facilitated new growth opportunities, further enhancing its commitment to improving healthcare outcomes. The MBH team advising on the transaction was led by Amr Baggatto (Partner) and included Hana Wafa (Associate), while Zaki Hashem, Attorneys at Law acted as legal counsel to CIB.  

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy (“MBH”) acted as the legal counsel to Noatum Maritime S.L.U (“Noatum”) – a leading multinational group in transport and logistics services, and an Abu Dhabi Ports PJSC Group company – in connection with its acquisition of a majority stake in Safina International B.V. (“Safina B.V.”), which owns Safina Shipping Services S.A.E, a leading provider of maritime agency and cargo services in Egypt and across the Middle East region. The acquisition by Noatum marks a significant strategic development for the Spanish company to enhance its service offerings and strengthen its presence in key markets across Egypt, the Middle East, and North Africa. Safina B.V. operates from 6 strategic locations across Egypt, including its headquarters in Cairo, providing essential services across 15 Egyptian ports, including major hubs like Sokhna, Adabiya, Damietta, Port Said, and Alexandria The MBH team advising on the transaction was led by Omar S. Bassiouny (Founding Partner and Group Head of Corporate and M&A) and Salma El Refaie (Senior Associate). Tamer Fawki (Partner and Head of Employment) and Nourhan Shaaban (Associate) oversaw and advised on the employment aspects of the transaction.  

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy (“MBH”) acted as legal counsel to Halan for Consumer Finance S.A.E. (“Halan”) in connection with an EGP 1.171 billion and an EGP 1.619 billion securitization transactions. These transactions are the first and second issuances of Capital’s Seventh securitization program amounting to an aggregate of EGP 8 billion. The MBH team advising on the securitization was led by Mohamed Abdel Fattah (Partner and Head of Capital Markets), Ashraf Hendi (Partner), Imane Raouf (Partner), and included Khaled Abdul Wahab (Senior Associate), Esraa Mohamed (Senior Associate), and Habiba El Naggar (Associate). Commercial International Bank S.A.E. (CIB) was also involved in the transaction as the financial advisor, Russel Bedford as the Auditor, Capital Securitization Company as the Securitization Company and Middle East Rating & Investors Service (“MERIS”) as the rating agency.  

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy (“MBH”) acted as legal counsel to Tasaheel for Financing S.A.E. (“Tasaheel”) in connection with an EGP 3.831 billion social sustainability securitization transaction.This transaction is the second issuance of Capital’s Fourth securitization program amounting to an aggregate of EGP 13 billion. The MBH team advising on the securitization was led by Mohamed Abdel Fattah (Partner and Head of Capital Markets), Ashraf Hendi (Partner), and included Khaled Abdul Wahab (Senior Associate), Esraa Mohamed (Senior Associate) and Habiba El Naggar (Associate). CI Capital was also involved in the transaction as the financial advisor, Russel Bedford as the Auditor, Capital Securitization Company as the Securitization Company, Middle East Rating & Investors Service (“MERIS”) as the rating agency, and Moody’s Investors Service as the Social Sustainability Consultant.  

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy (“MBH”) acted as legal counsel to Connect Money,a leading Egyptian fintech startup, in connection with the regulatory aspect of the approval request with the Central Bank of Egypt (“CBE”), providing regulatory advisory services, drafting, negotiating, and reviewing the relevant contracts with Banque Misr (“BM”) and other stakeholders. The MBH team advising on the transaction was led by Mohamed Essam Sid-Ahmed (Partner and Head of FinTech and ECVC) and included Dina Kamel (Associate). For more about Matouk Bassiouny, check out our website at https://matoukbassiouny.com/.  

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy (“MBH”) acted as legal counsel to Catalyst Partners in connection with the establishment of Egypt’s first Special Purpose Acquisition Company (“SPAC”) according to resolution No. 2323 of 2024. This significant milestone follows the issuance of Financial Regulatory Authority (“FRA”) board of directors’ resolutions No. 140 and 148 of 2024. Egypt’s first SPAC will be named Catalyst Partners Middle East (“CPME”), and has been established with an issued and paid-up capital of approximately EGP 10 million. CPME will focus on acquiring companies in the non-banking financial services and financial technology sectors, with a particular emphasis on companies engaged in finance, diverse financial services, and payment platforms. The MBH team advising on the transaction was led by Mohamed Abdel Fattah (Partner and Head of Capital Markets) and included Khaled Abdelwahab (Senior Associate). Head of Capital Markets, Mohamed Abdel Fattah, commented saying: “The FRA amendments contribute to removing all obstacles that stood in the way of establishing SPAC companies, and it is expected that the coming period will witness the establishment of more SPACs, which in turn will enhance the activity of acquisitions and mergers on the Egyptian Stock Exchange, and open the door to institutions, funds, and investors with strong financial solvency in pumping more investments into companies that have growth opportunities.”   For more about Matouk Bassiouny, check out our website at https://matoukbassiouny.com/.  

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy (“MBH”) acted as the lead legal counsel to AXA Egypt in connection with its strategic partnership agreement with Post for Investment to establish Egypt’s first microinsurance company in line with the new unified insurance law The partnership aims to offer more financial inclusivity and broader insurance models for different societal segments and assist the financially vulnerable. Within the first decade of operation, the company aims to reach 12 million customers, underlying their commitment to make a significant impact on the lives of Egyptians through tailored insurance solutions. The MBH Team advising on the matter was led by May Elshaarawy (Partner) and included Abdelaziz Aly Elshaarawy (Associate).  

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy acted as the legal counsel to a syndication of four Egyptian banks led by Commercial International Bank (“CIB”),and included, National Bank of Egypt (“NBE”), Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (“ADCB “) and Al Baraka Bank in connection with a syndicated financing granted to Ora Developers Egypt for Real Estate Investment (“ORA”) of up to EGP 7 billion. The financing aims to cover a portion of the investment costs for the “Zed East” project, a large-scale urban service development covering 334 feddans in New Cairo. The MBH team advising on the matter was led by Mahmoud Bassiouny (Regional Managing Partner and Group Head of Projects and Finance) and included Iman Nassar (Senior Associate). For more about Matouk Bassiouny, please check out our website at https://matoukbassiouny.com/    

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy (“MBH”) acted as legal counsel to Tasaheel for Financing S.A.E. (“Tasaheel”) in connection with an EGP 3.919 billion social sustainability securitization transaction.This transaction represents the third issuance of Capital’s Fourth securitization program amounting to an aggregate of EGP 13 billion, a continuation of the first sustainability program within the Egyptian Market. The MBH team advising on the securitization was led by Mohamed Abdel Fattah (Partner and Head of Capital Markets), Imane Raouf (Partner), and included Khaled Abdel Wahab (Senior Associate), Esraa Mohamed (Senior Associate), Abdelrheem Ashraf (Associate) and Habiba El Naggar (Associate). CI Capital was also involved in the transaction as the financial advisor, Russel Bedford as the Auditor, Capital Securitization Company as the Securitization Company, Middle East Rating & Investors Service (“MERIS”) as the rating agency, and Moody’s Investors Service as the Social Sustainability Consultant. For more about Matouk Bassiouny, check out our website at https://matoukbassiouny.com/.  

We are pleased to announce the joining of Mr. Ayman Heikal as Partner and Head of Capital Markets in the UAE. Ayman has more than 26 years of capital markets expertise in the UAE, where he served as the legal consultant for the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA), His Excellency the Minister of Economy, and the Ministry of Economy. He also served as a legal consultant and member of the board of trustees of the Corporate Social Responsibility Fund “MAJRA”. During his tenure in the UAE, Ayman drafted and negotiated numerous drafts of federal commercial, economic and capital market laws, and their executive regulations and implementing decisions. He was also involved in the drafting of the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries Unified Guidelines in the field of commercial and economic laws. His areas of expertise include public and private offerings, company establishments, M&As, capital increases and reductions, strategic partnership counseling, restructuring, liquidation, and bankruptcy. Omar S. Bassiouny, Founding Partner and Group Head of Corporate and M&A, says, “We are confident that Ayman’s expertise and skills will be an invaluable asset to Matouk Bassiouny’s clients and look forward to continued evolution in our regional capital markets practice for many years to come.” For more on Ayman's latest updates visit: https://matoukbassiouny.com/partner-profile/ayman-heikal/.  

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy (“MBH”) acted as the legal counsel to syndication of prominent banks in connection with an EGP 4,350,000,000 syndicated medium-term financing granted by a collaboration of top financial institutions,including First Abu Dhabi Bank Misr (“FABMisr”), Emirates NBD Egypt, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank – Egypt (“ADCB”), Arab Bank Egypt, Housing and Development Bank, Egyptian Gulf Bank (“EG Bank”), MIDBANK, and Al Baraka Bank Egypt to the Saudi Egyptian Developers (“SED”). This financing will support SED’s ambitious real estate development projects across Egypt, reinforcing its position in the market. The successful closing of this financing underscores the continued confidence in Egypt’s real estate sector and the strength of collaborative efforts among major banking institutions. The team advising on the matter was led by Mahmoud Bassiouny (Regional Managing Partner – Group Head of Projects and Finance) and Iman Nassar (Senior Associate). For more about Matouk Bassiouny, please check out our website at https://matoukbassiouny.com/  

A couple of days ago at the 12th Private Equity Africa (“PEA”) award ceremony, Matouk Bassiouny (“MB”) received the Special Recognition Decade Award “North Africa Law Firm of the Year” in recognition of the firm’s work as lead counsel to various leading local and international entities as well as its contribution to the growth of the legal industry in North Africa. We are honored to receive this award for the second time, which highlights our dedication to providing exceptional service to our clients. Without the diligence and commitment of our exceptional lawyers in Algeria, Egypt, and Sudan, as well as the trust and support of our esteemed clients, this accomplishment would not have been possible.  

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy (“MBH”) served as legal counsel to Zahran Market in connection with the sale of its remaining 40% stake to Ezdehar Management, which had previously acquired a 60% stake in the local market chain in 2022. The MBH team advising on the transaction was led by Omar S. Bassiouny (Founding Partner and Group Head of Corporate and M&A) and included Saifallah Kadry (Senior Associate).   For more about Matouk Bassiouny, check out our website at https://matoukbassiouny.com/.  

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy (“MBH”) acted as the lead legal counsel to Beltone Capital (“Beltone”) in connection with the signing of a joint venture agreement (“JVA”) and other related agreements with CRIF S.p.A (“CRIF”) to launch a credit ratings and business solutions company in Egypt. The new venture will commence operations upon receiving the final approval from the Egyptian Financial Regulatory Authority (“FRA”) and will offer debt capital market instrument ratings, SME & corporate borrower ratings, NBFI portfolio ratings, ESG services, unsolicited ratings, and onboarding technology for lenders in accordance with the stipulations outlined in FRA’s Decision No. 151 of 2023. We proudly note that the anticipated credit rating license will be the first license of this type in a relatively long time. The MBH team advising on the matter was led by Mohamed Abdel Fattah (Partner and Head of Capital Markets), Muhammad Nassef Ali (Partner), Omar Adel (Counsel), and Khaled Abdel Wahab (Senior Associate).  

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy (“MBH”) acted as the lead legal counsel to Al Mansour Automotive Group(“Al Mansour Automotive”) in connection with the signing of two significant agreements to establish a new state-of-the-art automotive manufacturing facility in the New October City Industrial Zone. The plant will focus on manufacturing and assembling various types of transportation, including MG-branded vehicles. The transaction includes an agreement with the General Authority for Land and Dry Ports, as well as a technical licensing agreement with SAIC Motor International, China’s leading automotive company and manufacturer of MG-branded vehicles. The MBH team advising on the matter was led by Muhammad Nassef (Partner), Omar Adel (Counsel), and Laila Khattab (Associate).  

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy (“MBH”) acted as legal counsel to a syndicate of banks comprising the National Bank of Egypt (“NBE”),the Commercial International Bank (“CIB”), and the Arab African International Bank (“AAIB”) in connection with a syndicated loan worth EGP 5 billion to the National Egyptian Railway Industries Company (“NERIC”) for the construction and development of an industrial rolling stock plant in the Suez Canal Economic Zone at East Port Said. The plant will cover approximately 300,000 square meters, divided into three phases of 100,000 square meters each. The first phase, currently under construction, includes a factory for railway and metro vehicles, which is projected to open by mid-2025 with an estimated investment of EGP 4.2 billion. The second phase will focus on manufacturing rolling stock for the monorail, high-speed trains, and light electric trains, while the third phase will involve refurbishing old metro and railway cars Once operational, the NERIC factory, in partnership with Hyundai Rotem of South Korea, will manufacture 40 metro trains, totaling 320 new air-conditioned metro cars for Greater Cairo Metro Lines 2 and 3. Additionally, a contract is underway for the manufacturing and supply of 500 railway cars, with plans to locally produce a total of 1,000 railway cars in collaboration with the Ministry of Transport and an international transportation manufacturing company. The MBH team advising on the matter was led by Mahmoud S. Bassiouny (Regional Managing Partner and Group Head of Finance & Projects) and included Nadia Abdallah (Counsel), and Mai Ali (Associate). For more about Matouk Bassiouny, check out our website at https://matoukbassiouny.com/.  

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy (“MBH”) acted as the legal counsel, along with Herbert Smith Freehills,to Africa50 in connection with its USD 15 million primary investment in Raya Data Center S.A.E., a wholly owned subsidiary of EGX-listed Raya Holding for Financial Investment S.A.E. This investment marks Africa50’s acquisition of a 42.9% stake in Raya Data Center S.A.E. Africa50 was established by African governments and the African Development Bank to help bridge Africa’s infrastructure funding gap by facilitating project development, mobilizing public and private sector finance, and investing in infrastructure on the continent. Africa50’s investment will support the development of a new Tier III data center in Egypt, with construction set to begin in early 2025. The MBH team advising on the transaction was led by Omar S. Bassiouny (Founding Partner and Group Head of Corporate and M&A) and included Omar Al Fadaly (Associate) and Dina Mohamed (Associate).   For more about Matouk Bassiouny, check out our website at https://matoukbassiouny.com/.  

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy (“MBH”) acted as legal counsel to Al Ahly Capital Holding – Tamkeen S.A.E. (“Al Ahly Tamkeen”) in connection with an EGP 760 million securitization transaction. This transaction represents the second issuance of Ahly for Securitization Company’s second securitization program amounting to an aggregate of EGP 2 billion The MBH team advising on the securitization was led by Mohamed Abdel Fattah (Partner and Head of Capital Markets), Imane Raouf (Partner), and included Khaled Abdel Wahab (Senior Associate), Esraa Mohamed (Senior Associate), Abdelrheem Ashraf (Associate), and Habiba El Naggar (Associate). Al Ahly Pharos was also involved in the transaction as the financial advisor, Baker Tilly as the auditor, Ahly for Securitization Company as the securitization company, and Middle East Rating & Investors Service (“MERIS”) as the rating agency.  

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy (“MBH”) acted as legal counsel to Tasaheel for Financing S.A.E. (“Tasaheel”) in connection with an EGP 5.050 billion securitization transaction. This transaction represents the first issuance of Capital’s twelfth securitization program amounting to an aggregate of EGP 20 billion, marking it as the largest of its kind in the region. It also demonstrates increasing confidence in the microfinance industry and Tasaheel as a pivotal player. The MBH team advising on the securitization was led by Mohamed Abdel Fattah (Partner and Head of Capital Markets), Imane Raouf (Partner), and included Khaled Abdel Wahab (Senior Associate), Esraa Mohamed (Senior Associate), Abdelrheem Ashraf (Associate), and Habiba El Naggar (Associate). Al Ahly Pharos was also involved in the transaction as the financial advisor, Russel Bedford as the auditor, Capital Securitization Company as the securitization company, and Middle East Rating & Investors Service (“MERIS”) as the rating agency.  

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy (“MBH”) acted as legal counsel to B.Tech for Trade and Distribution S.A.E. (“B.Tech”) in connection with an EGP 1,560,500,000 securitization transaction. This transaction is the second issuance of Capital’s Eighth securitization program amounting to an aggregate of EGP 5 billion. The MBH team advising on the securitization was led by Mohamed Abdel Fattah (Partner and Head of Capital Markets), Imane Raouf (Partner) and included Esraa Mohamed (Senior Associate) and Abdelreheem Ashraf (Associate). Commercial International Bank, Egypt S.A.E. (“CIB”) was also involved in the transaction as the financial advisor, Egyptian Gulf Bank (“EG Bank”) as the custodian, Russel Bedford as the auditor, Capital Securitization Company as the securitization company and Middle East Rating & Investors Service (“MERIS”) as the rating agency.  

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy (“MBH”) acted as the legal counsel to AviLease, a full-service commercial aircraft lessor with Saudi Arabian roots that is a wholly-owned entity of the Public Investment Fund (“PIF”), in connection with the leasing of a Boeing 737-800 to EgyptAir. This milestone transaction marks AviLease’s first leasing transaction in Egypt, highlighting the company's expanding footprint in the Middle East and North Africa region. Our Partner and Head of Aviation, Sherif El Hosseny, led the team advising on this transaction. For more about Matouk Bassiouny, check out our website at https://matoukbassiouny.com/.

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy (“MBH”) acted as legal counsel to MAFI for Agricultural Produce Industries (“MAFI”) (the “Project Company”) in connection with a long-term syndicated loan of up to USD 108 million, provided by Banque Misr, Al Baraka Bank, and the Suez Canal Bank (the “Lenders”), to support the development of MAFI's agri-food operations. The project aims to establish, build, and operate a factory complex in Sadat City to produce fruit and vegetable concentrates and frozen products. This endeavor will enhance the localization of Egypt's agricultural industry by adopting advanced technologies and creating added value for national products. It is planned that 100% of the project’s production will be exported to global markets, particularly Europe, the United States, Gulf countries, and Japan. The MBH team advising on the project was led by Mahmoud S. Bassiouny (Regional Managing Partner and Group Head of Finance & Projects) and included Iman Nassar (Senior Associate). For more information about Matouk Bassiouny, visit www.matoukbassiouny.com

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy’s (“MBH”) IP litigation team successfully obtained a favorable court judgment for Libby’s, one of the most well-known brands of quality products, in a dispute before the State Council Courts concerning the cancellation of several registrations that constituted an infringement of their globally well-known, highly valuable, trademark. The court ruled to revoke all trademark registrations deemed to be counterfeit in Egypt, affirmed that Libby’s trademark is recognized as a well-known trademark, and confirmed its legal protection under the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property and National Law. The MBH team that handled this case consisted of Dr. Mohamed Shehata (Partner and Head of Litigation), Ali Abdullah (Partner and Head of Tax Litigation), and Hamada Farahat (Associate). Dr. Shehata commented on this achievement, saying: “This victory reflects our firm’s steadfast commitment to protecting our client's intellectual property rights, highlighting our extensive expertise in managing complex legal disputes, as our firm has secured numerous victories and legal precedents in highly intricate intellectual property matters.” For more about Matouk Bassiouny, check out our website at https://matoukbassiouny.com/.

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy (“MBH”) served as legal counsel to Salcef Group S.p.A. (“Salcef”)–a prominent Italian construction and engineering company that specializes in the construction and maintenance of railway and metro infrastructures which has been operating in Egypt since 2011 – in connection with the signing of its 25-year long joint venture agreement (“JVA”) with the Egyptian National Railways Authority (“ENR”) and the Transport Logistics Company (“TLC”). The project will focus on the construction, renovation, and maintenance of railway lines through their new joint venture company, (“Salcef Track”) with Salcef playing a leading role in its execution and implementation. Salcef Track will begin by renovating 300 km of railway and 200 switches, with a minimum annual target of 100 km and 70 switches. By the end of the 25-year term, the company is expected to have renovated 2,500 km of track and 1,750 switches. Additionally, Salcef Track will be equipped with the latest global machinery to support the construction of new lines by the ENR and other sectors of the Ministry of Transport, extending its reach to railway projects in Africa and the Middle East. The MBH team advising on the matter was led by Hazem El Guindi (Partner) and included Shaimaa El-Fahmy (Senior Associate), and Youssef Shaaban (Associate)  

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy (“MBH”) served as legal counsel to Salcef Group S.p.A. (“Salcef”)–a prominent Italian construction and engineering company that specializes in the construction and maintenance of railway and metro infrastructures which has been operating in Egypt since 2011 – in connection with the signing of its 25-year long joint venture agreement (“JVA”) with the Egyptian National Railways Authority (“ENR”) and the Transport Logistics Company (“TLC”). The project will focus on the construction, renovation, and maintenance of railway lines through their new joint venture company, (“Salcef Track”) with Salcef playing a leading role in its execution and implementation. Salcef Track will begin by renovating 300 km of railway and 200 switches, with a minimum annual target of 100 km and 70 switches. By the end of the 25-year term, the company is expected to have renovated 2,500 km of track and 1,750 switches. Additionally, Salcef Track will be equipped with the latest global machinery to support the construction of new lines by the ENR and other sectors of the Ministry of Transport, extending its reach to railway projects in Africa and the Middle East. The MBH team advising on the matter was led by Hazem El Guindi (Partner) and included Shaimaa El-Fahmy (Senior Associate), and Youssef Shaaban (Associate)  

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy (“MBH”) served as legal counsel to Salcef Group S.p.A. (“Salcef”) –a prominent Italian construction and engineering company that specializes in the construction and maintenance of railway and metro infrastructures which has been operating in Egypt since 2011 – in connection with the signing of its 25-year long joint venture agreement (“JVA”) with the Egyptian National Railways Authority (“ENR”) and the Transport Logistics Company (“TLC”). The project will focus on the construction, renovation, and maintenance of railway lines through their new joint venture company, (“Salcef Track”) with Salcef playing a leading role in its execution and implementation. Salcef Track will begin by renovating 300 km of railway and 200 switches, with a minimum annual target of 100 km and 70 switches. By the end of the 25-year term, the company is expected to have renovated 2,500 km of track and 1,750 switches. Additionally, Salcef Track will be equipped with the latest global machinery to support the construction of new lines by the ENR and other sectors of the Ministry of Transport, extending its reach to railway projects in Africa and the Middle East. The MBH team advising on the matter was led by Hazem El Guindi (Partner) and included Shaimaa El-Fahmy (Senior Associate), and Youssef Shaaban (Associate)  

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny UAE (“MB UAE”) acted as legal counsel to Raseedi in connection with acquiring Kashat, along with its subsidiary, Pharos Microfinance, a nano-financial services provider. Raseedi is a smart mobile app for dual SIM users in Egypt that helps optimize mobile consumption by providing personalized offers, tracking usage, and managing subscriptions, allowing users to save on calls and data. This strategic acquisition will enable Raseedi to expand its product offerings by introducing instant loan services to its portfolio, empowering small and sole-proprietor business owners to access quick, flexible financing with the ability to apply for instant cash loans of up to EGP 3,000, disbursed within five minutes, and with a short repayment cycle of 1 to 3 months, all designed to help support the financial needs of underserved businesses. The MB UAE team advising on the transaction was led by Mohamed Essam (Partner and Head of FinTech & ECVC) and included Moustafa Rizk (Associate) and Mahmoud Ezzat (Associate).   For more about Matouk Bassiouny, check out our website at https://matoukbassiouny.com/.  

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy (“MBH”) acted as legal counsel to the Red Sea Wind Energy S.A.E., a consortium comprising ENGIE (35%), Orascom Construction (25%), Toyota Tsusho Corporation (20%), and Eurus Energy Holdings Corporation (20%) in connection with a financing arrangement with a total amount of approximately USD 100 million to expand the original wind energy project located in Ras Ghareb by up to 150 MW, bringing the total capacity of the wind farm to 650 MW. The Red Sea Wind Energy project will supply clean energy to over 1 million homes and decrease carbon emissions by roughly 1.3 million tons per year, supporting Egypt's move toward renewable energy. The MBH team advising on the project was led by Mahmoud S. Bassiouny (Regional Managing Partner and Group Head of Finance & Projects) and included Nadia Abdallah (Counsel), Amgad Nagy (Senior Associate), Aya Omar (Associate), and Mai Ali (Associate).  

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy’s (“MBH”)litigation team has achieved a remarkable milestone for a leading Middle Eastern media and broadcasting company in connection with obtaining a unique judgment from the Cairo Economic Court against a well-known Egyptian media company. The court decided that the opponent company was bankrupt and appointed one of the judges of the Court Circuit as the bankruptcy trustee. The dispute arose after our client obtained a ruling from the Abu Dhabi Court of Appeal against a prominent Egyptian media company, ordering it to pay approximately USD 1.6 million, excluding legal interest. Due to the company's financial turmoil and failure to pay, we initiated this case before the Economic Court in Egypt after the UAE judgment was ratified for enforcement in Egypt. The MBH team that handled this case consisted of F. John Matouk (Founding Partner and Group Head of Dispute Resolution), Dr. Mohamed Shehata (Partner and Head of Litigation), Mohamed Omar (Partner), Amr Shalaby (Legal Director) and Mohamed Refaat (Associate). Dr. Shehata commented on this achievement: "We are proud of this exceptional success in a unique judgment that reflects our steadfast commitment to serve our clients with the highest standards of professionalism. We also emphasize our continued efforts to achieve more successes in such complex disputes, which reinforce our firm's position in both the Egyptian and Middle Eastern markets" Mohamed Omar also commented: "We are proud to achieve justice for our clients today with this positive ruling, which reflects the hard work and thorough preparation of all team members. This victory is not just a personal success but the result of diligent work and commitment to defending our clients' rights"  For more about Matouk Bassiouny, check out our website at https://matoukbassiouny.com/.  

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy (“MBH”) acted as legal counsel to Beltone Holding (“Beltone”) in connection with its 100% acquisition of SODIC For Securitization. This acquisition is expected to enhance Beltone’s ability to securitize the portfolios of its growing roster of non-banking financial services firms as well as third parties’ portfolios. The MBH team advising on the matter was led by Mohamed Abdel Fattah (Partner and Head of Capital Markets), Muhammad Nassef (Partner), Omar Adel (Counsel), and Khaled Abdel Wahab (Senior Associate).  

We are delighted to share our recognition in the 2025 Global Banking & Markets (“GBM”) Awards for our pivotal advisory role in securing an EGP 10.3 billion syndicated long-term facility.This financing supports Palm Hills for Development and its subsidiary in their groundbreaking Badya project, Egypt’s first sustainable smart city, and is the largest ever granted to a private-sector real estate developer in the Egyptian market. A heartfelt congratulations to our client and our exceptional attorneys: Mahmoud Bassiouny (Regional Managing Partner and Group Head of Finance & Projects) and Iman Nassar (Senior Associate).  

We are pleased and proud to announce that Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy (“MBH”) acted as legal counsel to Tasaheel for Financing (“Tasaheel”) in connection with their groundbreaking EGP 7 billion sustainable sukuk issuance. This issuance is the largest of its kind in Africa and Egypt’s first of its kind. It also marks the country’s inaugural microfinance sukuk and the first non-sovereign sukuk in Egypt to comply with the Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI) standards. Furthermore, the issuance earned an "A" rating from MERIS and a sustainability rating of "1SQS" from Moody’s, demonstrating a firm commitment to the principles of sustainable sukuk as outlined by the International Capital Market Association (ICMA). The strong demand for the issuance was evident, with 1.2x oversubscription, highlighting its appeal and significance in the financial market. This landmark issuance paves the way for greater financial inclusion and fosters economic development within local communities, while also setting a new precedent for the region’s future in sustainability responsible investing. The MBH team advising on the transaction was led by Mohamed Abdel Fattah (Partner and Head of Capital Markets) and Imane Raouf (Partner), and included Abdallah Soliman (Senior Associate), Aya Omar (Associate) and Sherouk Haiba (Associate).  

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy (“MBH”) acted as legal counsel to Beltone Holding (“Beltone”), a leading financial services provider, in connection with its landmark all-cash capital increase of EGP 10.5 billion. This transaction marks Beltone’s largest capital increase to date, following its record-breaking EGP 10 billion capital raise in 2023—the largest in the history of the Egyptian Exchange (“EGX”) The MBH team advising on the matter was led by Mohamed Abdel Fattah (Partner and Head of Capital Markets), and included Mohamed Galal (Counsel), Khaled Abd El-Wahab (Senior Associate), and Mohamed Qabel (Senior Associate). For more about Matouk Bassiouny, check out our website at https://matoukbassiouny.com/.   معتوق بسيوني وحناوي يُقدم الاستشارة لشركة بلتون القابضة في ثاني أكبر زيادة رأس مال بقيمة 10.5 مليار جنيه مصري يسعدنا أن نعلن أن مكتب معتوق بسيوني وحناوي قد عمل كمستشار قانوني لشركة بلتون القابضة وهي إحدى الشركات الرائدة في تقديم الخدمات المالية، في زيادة رأسمالها بقيمة 10.5 مليار جنيه مصري والتي تمت عبر اكتتاب نقدي. وتُعد هذه الزيادة ثاني أكبر زيادة رأسمال تنفذها بلتون، بعد زيادة رأس المال القياسية التي نفذتها في عام 2023 بقيمة 10 مليار جنيه مصري، والتي كانت تعد الأكبر في تاريخ البورصة المصرية. وقد تم تغطية الزيادة بنسبة 98% من خلال جولتي اكتتاب، مع مشاركة كبيرة من المستثمرين الأجانب والمؤسسات الدولية. ويعكس هذا الإقبال الكبير من المستثمرين الثقة المتزايدة في الرؤية الاستراتيجية لبلتون وآفاق نموها على المدى الطويل وسيتم توظيف عائدات الزيادة في رأس المال بشكل استراتيجي لدعم توسع بلتون عبر منصاتها المختلفة، مع التركيز على الدخول في أسواق ذات نمو مرتفع، وتعزيز القدرات الرقمية القابلة للتوسع، وتوسيع نطاق المنتجات والخدمات، واستقطاب الكفاءات العليا. ترأس فريق معتوق بسيوني وحناوي الذي قدم المشورة بشأن الصفقة محمد عبد الفتاح (شريك ورئيس مجموعة أسواق رأس المال) وضم الفريق أيضاً محمد جلال (مستشار)، خالد عبد الوهاب (محام أول)، ومحمد قابيل (محام أول). .

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy (“MBH”) acted as legal counsel to Neosky Aircraft and Requisites Chartering DWC (“Neosky”), a UAE-based company specializing in aircraft chartering and related services, in connection with its USD 13,250,000 acquisition of a Boeing 737-800 aircraft from AMC Airlines (“AMC”), a Cairo-based charter airline. We advised on all legal aspects of the transaction, including the negotiation and execution of transaction documents, coordination with the Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority, the deregistration of the aircraft in accordance with both Egyptian and international aviation conventions, the transfer of title from AMC to Neosky, and the delivery terms of the aircraft. This acquisition highlights Neosky’s strategic expansion, enhancing its service offerings and fleet capabilities in the region’s air charter market. The MBH team advising on the transaction was led by Sherif El Hosseny (Partner and Head of Aviation) and included Nourhane Hamdy (Senior Associate) and Saifallah Kadry (Senior Associate). For more about Matouk Bassiouny, check out our website at https://matoukbassiouny.com/.

We are delighted to announce that Matouk Bassiouny’s International Dispute Resolution team secured a favourable judgment in a cross-border dispute before the Abu Dhabi Global Market (“ADGM”) Court of First Instance. The case arose from a technology-based joint venture, involving issues of contractual enforceability, personal guarantees, and the strategic use of interim remedies in the ADGM Courts. The court awarded our client full recovery of the claimed amount, plus interest and costs. Notably, in its judgment on costs, the court acknowledged the relevance of success fee arrangements as a means of facilitating access to justice, stating that “the Letter of Engagement can be seen as a means by which [our client] was able to bring his claim” and that the court “should not disincentivize arrangements that are designed to ensure that litigants are able to commence and prosecute genuine and viable claims”. The team advising on this case was led by Ahmed Tony (Partner), supported by Youssef Nassar (Senior Associate) and Alia Elraey (Associate). Commenting on the case, Ahmed Tony said: “This latest success reflects the strength of our common law disputes practice and our firm's commitment to deliver cost-effective, high-quality legal support for clients navigating the region's common law court systems”. Led by Founding Partner and Group Head of Dispute Resolution, F. John Matouk, our International Dispute Resolution team brings extensive experience in representing clients before the ADGM and DIFC Courts in the UAE. Our team is common law qualified, with F. John Matouk admitted in New York, Ahmed Tony in England and Wales, Youssef Nassar in New York, and Alia Elraey in England and Wales. As part of our commitment to providing comprehensive legal services, we collaborate with specialist barristers to ensure our clients receive the highest quality representation throughout the litigation process. For more about Matouk Bassiouny, check out our website at https://matoukbassiouny.com/.

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy (“MBH”) acted as the legal counsel to El Abd for Investment, Manufacturing, and Confectionary Trading S.A.E. (“El Abd Patisserie”) and its shareholders, El Abd Family, in connection with the successful investment by Tanmiya Capital Ventures’ (“TCV”) in El Abd Patisserie. The transaction, which involved a capital increase representing approximately 20.9% of El Abd’s share capital, was executed through TCV’s investment vehicle, Tanmia Capital Ventures Fund II. Following the completion of the transaction, El Abd Family retained the remaining equity and continued to manage and operate El Abd Group. The transaction also entailed an internal restructuring of the group and the implementation of a comprehensive corporate governance framework, aimed at enhancing institutional practices and supporting long-term sustainable growth. The proceeds from the transaction are expected to support El Abd’s expansion strategy, including the completion of its new manufacturing facility to increase production capacity and the further rollout of its retail branch network across Egypt. The team advising on the transaction was led by Tamer Hennawy (Partner and Co-Head of Capital Market and Corporate and M&A) and included Omar Khattab (Counsel), Youssef Emam (Associate) and Ali Abu Zeid (Associate). For more about Matouk Bassiouny, check out our website at https://matoukbassiouny.com/.

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy (“MBH”) acted as legal counsel to Tasaheel for Financing (“Tasaheel”) in connection with the launch of their EGP 10 billion Long-Term Note Program, as well as the successful completion of the first issuance amounting to EGP 2.5 billion. This milestone further supports Tasaheel’s expansion strategy, reinforcing its financial sophistication and growing market credibility in the microfinance sector. The MBH team advising on the issuance was led by Imane Raouf (Partner) and included Abdelrheem Ashraf (Senior Associate). CI Capital was also involved in the transaction as the financial advisor, KPMG as the auditor, and Middle East Rating & Investors Service (“MERIS”) as the rating agency. This transaction follows our recent role as legal counsel to Tasaheel on Africa’s largest sustainable sukuk issuance and Egypt’s first-of-its-kind sustainable securitization issuance. We are proud to continue contributing to the growth of Egypt’s debt capital markets.  For more about Matouk Bassiouny, check out our website at https://matoukbassiouny.com/.

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy (“MBH”) acted as the legal counsel to AD Ports Group in connection with a 50-year renewable usufruct agreement with the General Authority for Suez Canal Economic Zone (“SCZONE”) to develop and operate a 20 square-kilometer industrial and logistics park within the KEZAD East Port Said Zone. AD Ports Group will launch the project with a 2.8 square-kilometer Phase 1, with construction expected to commence by the end of this year. The MBH team advising on the agreement was led by Mahmoud S. Bassiouny (Regional Managing Partner and Group Head of Finance & Projects) and included Abdallah Soliman (Senior Associate) and Habiba Gamaleldin (Associate). For more about Matouk Bassiouny, check out our website at https://matoukbassiouny.com/.

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny’s (“MB”) arbitration team secured a significant victory for one of Egypt’s largest companies providing offshore marine and oil support services. The dispute arose out of a subcontract agreement for diving support vessel (“DSV”) subsea construction works related to a pipeline replacement project in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (“KSA”). The arbitration case was brought under the rules of the DIFC-LCIA and governed by Saudi law against a listed Asian company specializing in engineering design of offshore oil and natural gas development projects, represented by an international law firm. Following extensive proceedings and multiple phases of pleadings, in addition to several witnesses and experts’ evidence, the Tribunal issued its award granting our client its declaratory claims in addition to an entitlement of more than USD 6 million as well as arbitration costs. The Tribunal has further dismissed all counterclaims brought against our client exceeding USD 77 million. The team that secured this remarkable win consisted of Dr. Amr A. Abbas (Partner and Regional Head of Arbitration and Co-Head of Competition), Mohamed Sallam (Counsel), Mohamed Samy (Counsel), Khaled Abuo El Wafa (Senior Associate), Maha Zain (Senior Associate), Hany Omran (Associate) and Eman Hussein (Associate). Dr. Abbas commented: “This important result for our client— in a high-stakes dispute that included complex technical and legal issues—reflects our team’s expertise and unwavering commitment to delivering strategic, high-quality representation. This victory is a further testament to our regional expertise in handling complex disputes governed by different laws in the region, after having already secured arbitral wins over the past year under Lebanese, Qatari, Omani, and UAE laws.”    For more about Matouk Bassiouny, check out our website at https://matoukbassiouny.com/.

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy (“MBH”) acted as legal counsel to Banque Misr in connection with extending a medium-term financing of up to EGP 2.6 billion to Hyde Park Real Estate Development S.A.E. (“Hyde Park Developments”). The financing is intended to cover part of the estimated investment cost for the establishment and development of the Hyde Park North Coast project, located along Egypt’s western North Coast. Envisioned as a mixed-use development, the project will feature residential, commercial, and hospitality units, along with leisure facilities and touristic elements, across an expansive area of 240 acres. The MBH team advising on the matter was led by Mahmoud S. Bassiouny (Regional Managing Partner and Group Head of Finance & Projects) and included Iman Nassar (Senior Associate) and Habiba El Naggar (Associate).

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy (“MBH”) acted as legal counsel to the owning entity in connection with the negotiation and execution of management agreements with Rixos Egypt for the development and operation of the luxurious Rixos Montaza Alexandria Hotel in the historic Montaza area of Alexandria, Egypt. Rixos Montaza Alexandria is a unique resort that blends a variety of historically and architecturally significant venues, including the Salamlek Palace and the King Fouad Lodges, with a comprehensive range of modern accommodations and high-end hospitality services. This development marks a key milestone in the ongoing transformation of Egypt’s Mediterranean coastline into a premier global luxury tourism destination. The MBH team advising on the project was led by Mahmoud S. Bassiouny (Regional Managing Partner and Group Head of Finance & Projects), Tamer Fawki (Partner), and included Mostafa Ali (Associate). For more about Matouk Bassiouny, check out our website at https://matoukbassiouny.com/.

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny (“MB”) acted as legal counsel to Money Fellows, Africa’s leading fintech digital platform, on its USD 13 million financing round, advising on all legal aspects of the transaction, including structuring, negotiation, and documentation, to ensure a smooth and compliant execution aligned with the company’s growth objectives and digital strategy. This strategic expansion increases the company’s total investment to over USD 60 million since its founding, fueling the continued development and modernization of its digital platform. The new round was co-led by Al Mada Ventures (“AMV”) and DPI Venture Capital via the Nclude Fund, with strong participation from Partech and CommerzVentures. The MBH team advising on the transaction was led by Mohamed Essam (Partner, Head of Corporate and M&A UAE Offices and Head of ECVC) and included Moustafa Rizk (Senior Associate). For more about Matouk Bassiouny, check out our website at https://matoukbassiouny.com/.

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny (“MB”) acted as legal counsel to DPI Venture Capital, the venture arm of Development Partners International (“DPI”) on leading Sylndr’s Series A funding round via Nclude Fund. As the lead investor, DPI Venture Capital through the Nclude Fund continues to support mission-driven founders delivering transformative, technology-led solutions across Africa and the Middle East. With a capital injection of USD 15.7 million from all investors, Sylndr plans to accelerate its operational expansion, deepen its technology capabilities, and broaden its suite of services for both consumers and dealers. The MB team advising on the transaction was led by Mohamed Essam (Partner, Head of Corporate and M&A UAE Offices and ECVC) and included Moustafa Rizk (Senior Associate) and Ahmed Hatem (Associate). For more about Matouk Bassiouny, check out our website at https://matoukbassiouny.com/.

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny (“MB”) acted as legal counsel to Development Partners International’s Nclude Fund in connection with its participation in Nawy’s USD 52 million Series A funding round. The Series A round will enable Nawy to accelerate product development, integrate AI into its operations, and pursue its vision of acquiring smaller businesses. The MB team advising on the transaction was led by Mohamed Essam (Partner, Head of Corporate and M&A UAE Offices and ECVC) and included Moustafa Rizk (Senior Associate). For more about Matouk Bassiouny, check out our website at https://matoukbassiouny.com/.

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy (“MBH”) acted as legal counsel to Salamtak Holding Limited in connection with the sale of its 98.8% stake in ADVA, a leading consumer finance platform in Egypt, to Maseera Holding for Financial Investments (“Maseera”), a digital financial services company backed by 2PointZero, focused on advancing financial inclusion across North Africa. This transaction marks a significant development in the fintech landscape across North Africa, positioning ADVA as the technology and data analytics center for Maseera’s regional operations and reinforcing its role in advancing AI-powered financial solutions designed to serve underserved and underbanked populations. The MBH team advising on the transaction was led by Hazem El Guindi (Partner), and included Shaimaa El Fahmy (Senior Associate) and Youssef Shaaban (Associate). For more about Matouk Bassiouny, check out our website at https://matoukbassiouny.com/.

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny (“MB”) acted as the legal counsel to BECO Capital in connection with their investment in Thndr, a fast-growing investment platform transforming the financial landscape across the Middle East and North Africa region. This marks Thndr’s second major funding round, raising USD 15.7 million in a transaction led by Prosus Ventures, with participation from JIMCO Capital, Endeavor Catalyst, Y Combinator, and a prominent U.S. university endowment, among other global investors. The newly secured funds will be deployed to fuel Thndr’s ambitious regional expansion, with a strategic focus on the UAE and Saudi Arabia. The MB team advising on the transaction was led by Mohamed Essam (Partner and Head of Corporate and M&A UAE Offices and ECVC) with support from Moustafa Rizk (Senior Associate). For more about Matouk Bassiouny, check out our website at https://matoukbassiouny.com/.

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy’s (“MBH”) litigation team successfully secured two favorable rulings before the Administrative Courts for a leading real estate developer, dismissing a lawsuit filed against them that challenged their right to amend the master plan of a major real estate project spanning 900 feddan in 6th of October City. The recent ruling was established after a successful representation of our team before the Supreme Administrative Court, which reversed a previous ruling—issued by the same circuit—that had cancelled the project’s master plan. The MBH team that handled these cases consisted of Amr Ehab (Partner) and Mohamed Etrby (Senior Associate), and Nora Rabie (Senior Associate). Partner, Amr Ehab, commented saying: “This ruling is a landmark for real estate developers, especially those involved in large-scale projects. It also sends a positive signal to investors. Projects of this magnitude inevitably require phased development, which is critical to supporting the growth of Egypt’s real estate sector and aligning with the latest international standards.”.” For more about Matouk Bassiouny, check out our website at https://matoukbassiouny.com/.

We are thrilled to welcome Khaled Diaa back as a Partner in our Corporate and M&A practice group in the Cairo office. Khaled brings over 11 years of experience in corporate law and M&A across the MENA region. He previously held senior roles at Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy, advising major regional and international clients. Most recently, he served as Corporate Counsel at Hill International, gaining valuable in-house experience. Furthermore, he has also contributed to legal education as a Teaching Assistant at Cairo University, and recently completed his PhD in Law, reflecting his ongoing commitment to legal scholarship. Khaled has extensive experience advising on complex acquisitions, joint ventures, private equity, and capital markets transactions, as well as cross-border structuring, regulatory compliance, and strategic investments across a range of sectors, including technology, healthcare, financial services, and energy. We are confident that Khaled will further strengthen our team and enhance the value we deliver to our clients. For more on Khaled's expertise, visit: https://matoukbassiouny.com/partner-profile/khaled-diaa/.

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy (“MBH”) acted as legal counsel to Fawry MSME Finance (“Fawry”) in connection with the launch of its EGP 8 billion multi-issuance securitization program as well as the first issuance, valued at EGP 497.5 million. This transaction marks Fawry’s first-ever securitization. The issuance received an A- (investment-grade) rating and will support Fawry in diversifying its funding sources to meet the growing credit demand of Egypt’s MSME sector. The MBH team advising on the securitization was led by Imane Raouf (Partner), with support from Abdelrheem Ashraf (Senior Associate) and Mariam Goubran (Associate). CI Capital acted as financial advisor, lead arranger, issuance manager, and bookrunner. EG Bank served as custodian, Russel Bedford as auditor, and Middle East Rating & Investors Service (“MERIS”) as the rating agency. For more about Matouk Bassiouny, check out our website at https://matoukbassiouny.com/.

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy (“MBH”) acted as legal counsel to FABMisr acting as the IMLA, Bookrunner, Facility Agent, Account Bank and Security Agent along with a syndication of reputable banks, including Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, Al Baraka Bank Egypt, Arab Bank and Emirates NBD, on an EGP 4.2 billion syndicated facility extended to Redcon Properties for purposes of partially financing the investment cost of Redcon Properties - “Golden Gate Project”. The facility was 1.2x oversubscribed, whereby Lenders, with our support, activated the Greenshoe option, raising the facility amount from originally EGP 3.5 billion to EGP 4.2 billion - a testament to the innovative structure and lenders’ trust in the Golden Gate project. The MBH team advising on the matter was led by Mahmoud S. Bassiouny (Regional Managing Partner and Group Head of Finance & Projects) and included Iman Nassar (Senior Associate). For more about Matouk Bassiouny, check out our website at https://matoukbassiouny.com/.  

We are pleased to announce that Stefano Beghi has joined Matouk Bassiouny as Of Counsel in the Corporate and M&A practice group in our Dubai office. Stefano brings over three decades of experience advising clients across the EMEA region on corporate, commercial, and M&A matters. Having worked extensively in Asia and the UAE for almost fifteen years, he offers a strong command of the local legal environment, complemented by a global outlook and cross-border execution capabilities. Stefano previously served as a partner in the international M&A practice at Seyfarth Shaw, held senior partner roles at Gianni & Origoni, where he helped lead operations in Italy, India, Hong Kong, and Shanghai, and also spent a decade with Ernst & Young and Andersen Legal in Europe. His cross-border capabilities and cultural fluency make him a trusted advisor to multinationals navigating high-value transactions and strategic investments. We are confident that Stefano’s joining will further strengthen our regional offering and enhance the value we deliver to clients across industries and borders. For more on Stefano’s background and expertise, visit: https://matoukbassiouny.com/counsel-profile/stefano-beghi/.

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny (“MB”) acted as legal counsel to Spark Education Platform (“SEP”) in connection with securing a landmark strategic partnership with First School Management (“FSM”), the global advisory arm of GEMS Education (“GEMS”). This strategic collaboration will introduce GEMS-branded schools to Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, expanding access to high-quality education through a range of international curricula across the GCC. The deal marks a significant milestone in SEP’s wider plan to raise educational standards throughout the region. The MB team advising on the deal was led by Mohamed Esam (Partner, Head of Corporate and M&A UAE and FinTech ECVC) and included Moustafa Rizk (Senior Associate). For more about Matouk Bassiouny, check out our website at https://matoukbassiouny.com/.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Cairo, Egypt | 15 July 2025 MBH advises Alameda on record-breaking USD 190 million healthcare investment by DPI We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy (“MBH”) acted as legal counsel to Alameda Healthcare (“Alameda”), Egypt’s leading private healthcare group, in connection with a landmark USD 190 million investment by Development Partners International (“DPI”), the London-based, Africa-focused, multi-strategy private investment firm. The investment, structured primarily as a capital increase, was executed through a binding agreement under which DPI and its co-investors will acquire a minority stake in Alameda. The transaction remains subject to regulatory approvals and is expected to close by the third quarter of 2025. This transaction marks the largest private equity investment in Egypt’s healthcare sector to date. The proceeds will fast-track Alameda’s expansion in Egypt and the GCC, while supporting technology infrastructure upgrades and the development of specialized healthcare centers. The MBH team advising on the transaction was led by Omar S. Bassiouny (Founding Partner and Group Head of Corporate and M&A) and included Areej Elhammouri (Legal Director), Fatma Akram (Senior Associate), Nourhan Sayed (Associate), Mariam El Gabry (Associate) and Mohamed Akram (Associate).   For more about Matouk Bassiouny, check out our website at https://matoukbassiouny.com/.

Dubai, UAE | 22 July 2025 MB secures EUR 1 million victory for PGM Technologies in DIFC cross-border dispute We are delighted to announce that Matouk Bassiouny’s (“MB”) International Dispute Resolution team successfully obtained a favourable judgment for PGM Technologies in a cross-border breach of contract case before the Dubai International Financial Centre (“DIFC”) Courts. The dispute arose from a breach of contractual obligations, payment defaults, and the enforcement of agreed terms. The DIFC Court awarded our client full recovery of EUR 1,000,000, together with contractual interest at 5% per annum from the date of breach, post-judgment interest at the same rate until payment, and costs totalling USD 100,752.28. The team advising on this case was led by Ahmed Tony (Partner), supported by Youssef Nassar (Senior Associate) and Alia Elraey (Associate). Led by Founding Partner and Group Head of Dispute Resolution, F. John Matouk, our International Dispute Resolution team brings extensive experience in representing clients before the ADGM and DIFC Courts in the UAE. Our team is common law qualified, with F. John Matouk admitted in New York, Ahmed Tony in England and Wales, Youssef Nassar in New York, and Alia Elraey in England and Wales. As part of our commitment to providing comprehensive legal services, we collaborate with specialist barristers to ensure our clients receive the highest quality representation throughout the litigation process.         For more about Matouk Bassiouny, check out our website at https://matoukbassiouny.com/.

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy (“MBH”) acted as legal counsel to Bonyan for Development and Trade, a leading real estate investment company, on the successful initial public offering (“IPO”) and listing of its shares on the Egyptian Exchange (“EGX”) under the ticker BONY.CA. Trading commenced on Tuesday at an opening price of EGP 4.96 per share, with the offering representing approximately 21% of Bonyan’s share capital, 95% of which was placed through a private placement to qualified institutional investors and the remaining 5% offered to retail investors. The IPO raised approximately EGP 1.8 billion, reflecting strong demand across both investor categories and marking a significant milestone in Bonyan’s strategic growth and long-term expansion plans. The MBH team advising on the transaction was led by Mohamed Abdelfattah (Partner and Head of Capital Markets) and included Mohamed Galal (Counsel), Mohamed Qabel (Senior Associate), Farida Ismail (Senior Associate) and Mohamed Hany (Associate). For more about Matouk Bassiouny, check out our website at https://matoukbassiouny.com/.

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy (“MBH”) acted as the legal counsel to Triquera B.V. (“Triquera”), the majority shareholder of Minapharm Pharmaceuticals (“Minapharm”), in connection with the subscription of a minority stake by Admaius Capital Partners (“Admaius”), an Africa-focused private equity investor. The investment—executed through Admaius’s investment vehicle, Virunga Healix Limited—is intended to support Minapharm’s regional biotech expansion. Triquera and Admaius will partner to advance the development and manufacture of complex genetically engineered therapies. The collaboration aims to broaden access to high-quality, affordable recombinant proteins, reflecting both parties’ commitment to innovation and inclusive healthcare by scaling distribution networks across underserved markets in Africa and the Middle East. The MBH team advising on the transaction was led by Omar S. Bassiouny (Founding Partner and Group Head of Corporate and M&A) with support from Salma El Refaie (Senior Associate) and Mayar Sharafeldin (Associate). For more about Matouk Bassiouny, check out our website at https://matoukbassiouny.com/.

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy’s (“MBH”) Intellectual Property Litigation Team has successfully secured and enforced a series of favorable judgments before Egypt’s State Council Courts, leading to the cancellation of multiple infringing trademark registrations for a globally recognized Swiss food and beverage brand with a long-standing international market presence. The dispute arose when the Egyptian authorities accepted the registration of counterfeit trademarks identical to our client’s and rejected our oppositions. We subsequently appealed before the Administrative Courts, which ruled in our client’s favor and ordered the cancellation of the infringing registrations. This achievement goes beyond merely securing court rulings—it represents the effective implementation and enforcement of those rulings through the actual removal of the unlawfully registered trademarks that infringed upon our client’s globally renowned brand. The MBH team that handled these cases was led by Dr. Mohamed Shehata (Partner & Head of Litigation), Ali Abdullah (Litigation Partner), and included Hamada Farahat (Senior Associate, IP Litigator). Dr. Shehata commented on this achievement, saying: “By fully executing these judgments, we reaffirm our strong commitment to protecting our clients’ intellectual property rights. Our dedication goes beyond obtaining favorable enforceable judgments to include the successful enforcement of these judgments and the application of all relevant laws and regulations safeguarding our clients’ intellectual rights.” For more about Matouk Bassiouny, check out our website at https://matoukbassiouny.com/.

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy (“MBH”) acted as legal counsel to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) on a financing package of up to EUR 25 million extended to Arabian Cement Company (ACC), a leading cement producer in Egypt. The financing package aims to reduce carbon-intensive production and advance ACC’s decarbonization initiatives, targeting annual CO₂ emission reductions of around 130,000 tonnes by expanding alternative fuel injection capacity, supporting automation and industrial upgrades, and introducing Egypt’s first energy-efficient hydrogen injection system to enhance combustion efficiency and cut fossil fuel consumption. The MBH team advising on the transaction was led by Sherif El Hosseny (Partner and Head of Aviation) and included Habiba Gamaleldin (Associate). For more about Matouk Bassiouny, check out our website at https://matoukbassiouny.com/.

Cairo, Egypt | 15 September 2025 We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy (“MBH”) acted as legal counsel to Ferchem Egypt Fertilizers and Chemicals (“Ferchem”) in connection with the successful merger of Aswan Fertilizers and Chemical Industries and Abu Zaabal Fertilizers and Chemicals, within Ferchem, boosting the company’s issued capital to EGP 800 million. This milestone marked Ferchem’s transition as the first company to move from the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Exchange to the main market of the Egyptian Exchange, in accordance with Article 44 bis (1) of the Listing Rule, at an opening price of EGP 45.61 per share, reflecting a total market value of EGP 18.24 billion. The MBH team advising on the transaction was led by Mohamed Abdel Fattah (Partner and Head of Capital Markets) and included Mohamed Galal (Counsel), Mohamed Qabel (Senior Associate) and Mohamed Hany (Associate).     For more about Matouk Bassiouny, check out our website at https://matoukbassiouny.com/.

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy (“MBH”) acted as legal counsel to Tasaheel for Financing (“Tasaheel”) in connection with an EGP 3,748,500,000 securitization transaction, representing the third issuance under Capital’s Twelfth securitization program, with a total aggregate value of EGP 20 billion. The MBH team advising on the securitization was led by Mohamed Abdel Fattah (Partner and Head of Capital Markets), Imane Raouf (Partner), and included Abdel Reheem Ashraf (Senior Associate), Mariam Goubran (Associate) and Ahmed Ayman (Associate). Ci Capital and Al Ahly Pharos were also involved in the transaction as the financial advisors, Baker Tilly as the Auditor, Capital Securitization Company as the Securitization Company, Middle East Rating & Investors Service (“MERIS”) as the rating agency. We extend our appreciation to all stakeholders for their collaboration and trust, and to our dedicated team whose efforts were instrumental in bringing this transaction to a successful close. For more about Matouk Bassiouny, check out our website at https://matoukbassiouny.com/.

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy (“MBH”) acted as legal counsel to Minor International, the global hospitality leader, in connection with its landmark strategic partnership with Sunrise Resorts & Cruises to develop and manage 50 new hotels across Egypt. The partnership agreement was signed during a ceremony witnessed by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and. Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy at the Cabinet headquarters. The alliance also includes Sunrise’s real estate arm, Madar Developments, which will spearhead the launch of four flagship hotels in Ras El Hekma, New Zayed, and Ain Sokhna as part of the first phase of the collaboration. The MBH team advising on the transaction was led by Mariam Auda (Partner). For more about Matouk Bassiouny, check out our website at https://matoukbassiouny.com/.

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy (“MBH”) acted as legal counsel to Halan for Consumer Finance (“Halan”) in connection with an EGP 3,415,700,000 securitization transaction. This transaction represents the fourth issuance under Capital’s seventh securitization program, with a total aggregate value of EGP 8,000,000,00. The MBH team advising on the securitization was led by Mohamed Abdel Fattah (Partner and Head of Capital Markets) and Imane Raouf (Partner), and included Abdel Reheem Ashraf (Senior Associate), Mariam Goubran (Associate), and Ahmed Ayman (Associate). Ci Capital and CIB acted as financial advisors, Baker Tilly as auditor, Capital Securitization Company as the securitization company, and Middle East Rating & Investors Service (“MERIS”) as the rating agency. This landmark transaction underscores MBH’s continued commitment to fostering innovation in Egypt’s financial sector and supporting access to finance across the market. For more about Matouk Bassiouny, visit matoukbassiouny.com.

We are proud to announce that Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy has been recognized by the International Tax Review (ITR) Awards 2025 for our role in the Impact Deal of the Year: Saint-Gobain's USD 1.025 billion acquisition of Fosroc. This landmark transaction builds on Saint‑Gobain’s strategic expansion into high‑growth markets across the Middle East, Africa, India, and Asia, and brings into its fold Fosroc’s fast‑growing construction‑chemicals business with an international presence. Our sincere congratulations to the deal team, and especially to our own Omar S. Bassiouny (Founding Partner and Group Head of Corporate and M&A) for leading this significant milestone with exceptional expertise and dedication. For more about Matouk Bassiouny, visit https://matoukbassiouny.com/.

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy (“MBH”) acted as legal counsel to Btech Trade and Btech Finance (“Btech”) in connection with an EGP 1,500,000,000 securitization transaction. This transaction represents the first issuance of Capital’s fourteenth securitization, with a total aggregate value of EGP 10,000,000,000. The MBH team advising on the securitization was led by Mohamed Abdel Fattah (Partner and Head of Capital Markets), Imane Raouf (Partner), and included Abdel Reheem Ashraf (Senior Associate), Mariam Goubran (Associate) and Ahmed Ayman (Associate). Al Ahly Pharos acted as financial advisor, Baker Tilly as the auditor, Capital Securitization Company as the securitization company, and Middle East Rating & Investors Service (“MERIS”) as the rating agency. For more about Matouk Bassiouny, visit https://matoukbassiouny.com/.

We are pleased to announce the return of Aliaa S. Zaky as Of Counsel in the Media & Entertainment Sector Group at Matouk Bassiouny. As the leading legal advisor in the region, Matouk Bassiouny is reinforcing its position by establishing itself at the forefront of the rapidly expanding media and entertainment sector, which is continuously involving and advancing across Egypt and the MENA region. Aliaa’s reappointment marks a key step in this growth strategy. With over 15 years of cross-border she brings a rare blend of legal acumen, industry insight, and creative sensibility. and a career devoted to supporting creative ventures across film, television, music, podcasts, publishing, advertising, and industry related events. Her strong industry relationships and deep understanding of local, regional, and international markets adds significant value to clients operating in this dynamic and rapidly expanding market. Her expertise covers all aspects of industry matters, including complex drafting and negotiation, film financing, co-productions, project commissioning, production services, music licensing, distribution, sales, sponsorship, product placement, cast and crew arrangements, marketing, joint ventures, and a wide range of corporate transactions and strategic partnerships. On her return, Aliaa commented, “I am thrilled to rejoin Matouk Bassiouny, a firm that has long recognized my commitment to the media and entertainment industry. I look forward to supporting the firm’s vision to further expand this sector. Together, we aim to advance the MENA creative economy and cement the firm’s leadership in content investment and deal-making across the region.” For more on Aliaa’s background and expertise, visit: https://matoukbassiouny.com/counsel-profile/aliaa-s-zaky/  

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny (“MB”) acted as legal counsel to AfricInvest in connection with its acquisition of a minority stake in Arrow Holding, a leading HR-technology and staffing group operating through multiple subsidiaries across Africa and the Middle East. The investment, made through AfricInvest Fund IV and marking the fund’s tenth transaction, will support Arrow’s digital transformation and expansion across Africa’s growing staffing and outsourcing markets while reinforcing the fund’s focus on mid-sized businesses with regional growth potential. The MBH team advising on the transaction was led by Omar S. Bassiouny (Founding Partner and Group Head of Corporate and M&A), and included Ossama Abouzaid (Counsel), Nourhan Sayed (Associate), Mariam El Gabry (Associate) and Yasmine Attia (Associate). The MB UAE team was led by Mohamed Essam (Partner, Head of Corporate and M&A UAE and FinTech ECVC), and included Moustafa Rizk (Senior Associate), Ahmed Hatem (Associate) and Pareen Nashar (Associate). For more about Matouk Bassiouny, visit matoukbassiouny.com.

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy (“MBH”) acted as legal counsel to EFG Corp-Solutions in connection with an EGP 3,820,000,000 securitization transaction. The securitized portfolio consisted of financial leasing contracts originated by EFG Corp-Solutions, marking another milestone in the company’s efforts to enhance liquidity and strengthen its financial position in the Egyptian market. The MBH team advising on the securitization was led by Mohamed Abdel Fattah (Partner and Head of Capital Markets), Imane Raouf (Partner), and included Abdel Reheem Ashraf (Senior Associate), Mariam Goubran (Associate) and Ahmed Ayman (Associate). EFG Hermes was also involved in the transaction as the financial advisors, KPMG as the auditor, EFG Hermes Securitization as the securitization company, Middle East Rating & Investors Service (“MERIS”) as the rating agency. For more about Matouk Bassiouny, check out our website at https://matoukbassiouny.com/.

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy (“MBH”) acted as legal counsel to a syndicate of leading Egyptian banks, led by Banque Misr and comprising Banque du Caire, National Bank of Egypt, Housing and Development Bank, and Suez Canal Bank, in a landmark EGP 5.2 billion Islamic Mudarabah financing facility granted to Inertia Developments, a leading Egyptian real estate developer. The syndicate has provided a financing package of up to six years to accelerate the development of Inertia's flagship “Jefaira - Ras El-Hekma” project. This complex transaction aligns with the state's direction to diversify financial instruments. The project itself is a major integrated urban development on a 2.7 million square meter site, set to transform the area into a premier investment and tourism destination. The MBH team was led by Mahmoud Bassiouny (Regional Managing Partner - Group Head of Projects and Finance), supported by Iman Nassar (Senior Associate) and Sherouk Haiba (Associate). Engineering Consulting Group S.A. (ECG) acted as the engineering advisor, and Baker Tilly (Wahid AbdelGhaffar & Co) acted as the auditor. For more about Matouk Bassiouny, visit https://matoukbassiouny.com/.

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy (“MBH”) acted as legal counsel to the National Bank of Egypt (“NBE”), together with a syndication of leading banks, including Commercial International Bank (“CIB Egypt”), Arab African International Bank (“AAIB”), Banque du Caire, Emirates NBD Egypt, and HD Bank, in connection with the first-ever syndicated loan to a Non-Banking Financial Institution (“NBFI”), Drive Finance, with a facility amount of up to EGP 5 billion. This landmark transaction marks a significant milestone for the Egyptian financial sector, enabling Drive Finance to further expand its consumer finance and factoring portfolios while reinforcing its role in shaping the future of Egypt’s financial services landscape. The MBH team advising on the transaction was led by Mahmoud S. Bassiouny (Regional Managing Partner and Group Head of Finance & Projects), and included Iman Nassar (Senior Associate), and Myriam Fahmy (Associate). For more about Matouk Bassiouny, check out our website at https://matoukbassiouny.com/.

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny (“MB”) acted as legal counsel to the shareholders of InfiniLink – a Delaware-Cairo-based silicon-photonics startup specializing in high-performance optical transceiver chiplets – in connection with the company’s full acquisition by GlobalFoundries (“GF”). Following the acquisition, InfiniLink’s design expertise and portfolio of optical transceiver chiplets (iOTC), silicon-photonics capabilities, and SerDes technologies will be integrated into GF’s silicon-photonics business. The MB team advising on the transaction was led by Mohamed Essam (Partner, Head of Corporate and M&A UAE and FinTech ECVC), and included Moustafa Rizk (Senior Associate), and Ahmed Hatem (Associate). For more about Matouk Bassiouny, visit matoukbassiouny.com.

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny has successfully obtained a significant costs judgment before the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) Court of First Instance in the first UAE ruling addressing wasted costs arising from the misuse of artificial intelligence (“AI”) in court documents. The Court ordered the opposing law firm to pay our client’s wasted costs of AED 282,508 on an indemnity basis, with the Defendant separately ordered to pay AED 245,000 in costs. The judgment criticised the filing of pleadings relying on non-existent or misapplied authorities, and confirmed that failure to verify AI-generated research before filing was “reckless” and “amounted to a breach of the Rules of Conduct” (para 59). The team advising on this case was led by Ahmed Tony (Partner), supported by Youssef Nassar (Senior Associate) and Alia Elraey (Associate), together with Counsel Sajid Suleman of Outer Temple Chambers. Commenting on the judgment, Ahmed Tony said: “This ruling sends a clear message that AI is a powerful tool, but it does not replace the lawyer’s fundamental duty to verify research and ensure accuracy in court filings. Our firm embraces AI tools to enhance efficiency and deliver better outcomes for our clients. However, we recognise that these tools must be used responsibly, with appropriate oversight and verification.” Led by Founding Partner and Group Head of Dispute Resolution, John Matouk, our International Dispute Resolution team brings extensive experience in representing clients before the ADGM and DIFC Courts in the UAE. Our team is common law qualified, with Ahmed Tony admitted in England and Wales, Youssef Nassar (Senior Associate) in New York, and Alia Elraey (Associate) in England and Wales. As part of our commitment to providing comprehensive legal services, we collaborate with specialist barristers to ensure our clients receive the highest quality representation throughout the litigation process. For more about Matouk Bassiouny, visit https://matoukbassiouny.com/. Case Reference: [2025] ADGMCFI 0032.

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy (“MBH”) acted as legal counsel to Tamweely Financial Services in connection with an EGP 1,155,000,000 securitization transaction. The securitized portfolio consisted of microfinance contracts, representing the second issuance of AlAhly’s fifth securitization program, which has an aggregate value of EGP 5,000,000,000. This transaction marks another milestone in Tamweely Financial Services’ efforts to enhance liquidity and support the growth of the microfinance sector in Egypt. The MBH team advising on the securitization was led by Mohamed Abdel Fattah (Partner and Head of Capital Markets) and Imane Raouf (Partner), and included Abdel Reheem Ashraf (Senior Associate), Mariam Goubran (Associate), and Ahmed Ayman (Associate). Al Ahly Pharos acted as the financial advisor, Baker Tilly as the auditor, Al Ahly for Securitization as the securitization company, and Middle East Rating & Investors Service (“MERIS”) as the rating agency. We would like to extend our gratitude to all stakeholders involved and our dedicated team, whose hard work and commitment made this transaction possible. This landmark deal highlights our commitment to fostering innovation in the financial sector and supporting the growth of the microfinance sector in Egypt. For more about Matouk Bassiouny, visit https://matoukbassiouny.com/.

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy (“MBH”) acted as legal counsel to Tasaheel for Financing S.A.E. (“Tasaheel”) in connection with an EGP 3,520,500,000 (* Egyptian Pounds) securitization transaction. This transaction represents the fourth issuance of Capital’s Twelfth securitization program amounting to an aggregate of EGP 20,000,000,000 (twenty billion Egyptian Pounds), The MBH team advising on the securitization was led by Mohamed Abdel Fattah (Partner and Head of Capital Markets), Imane Raouf (Partner), and included Abdel Reheem Ashraf (Senior Associate), Mariam Goubran (Associate) and Ahmed Ayman (Associate). Al Ahly Pharos was also involved in the transaction as the financial advisor, Baker Tilly as the Auditor, Capital Securitization Company as the Securitization Company, Middle East Rating & Investors Service (“MERIS”) as the rating agency. We would like to extend our gratitude to all the stakeholders involved and our dedicated team whose hard work and commitment made this transaction possible. This landmark deal is a testament to our commitment to fostering innovation in the financial sector and advancing economic development. As we move forward, we remain committed to supporting the growth of microfinance in Egypt and contributing to the empowerment of communities through access to much-needed financial resources. For more about Matouk Bassiouny, check out our website at https://matoukbassiouny.com/  

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy (“MBH”) acted as legal counsel to Catalyst Partners in connection with the commencement of trading of Egypt’s first Special Purpose Acquisition Company (“SPAC”), Catalyst Partners Middle East (“CPME”), on the Egyptian Stock Exchange. The launch of CPME follows the completion of a series of strategic acquisitions, resulting in a combined issued capital of approximately EGP 3 billion. CPME commenced trading at levels above its nominal value, marking a significant milestone for the Egyptian capital markets and reinforcing the role of SPACs as an alternative vehicle for growth and acquisitions, particularly in the non-banking financial services and financial technology sectors. MBH advised on the transaction through its final stages, supporting Catalyst Partners in achieving this landmark listing within Egypt’s evolving regulatory framework. The MBH team advising on the transaction was led by Mohamed Abdel Fattah (Partner and Head of Capital Markets) and also included Mohamed Galal (Counsel) and Khaled Abdelwahab (Senior Associate). MBH is proud to have supported Catalyst Partners through this milestone and to have been part of the journey leading to the successful launch of Egypt’s first SPAC. For more about Matouk Bassiouny, visit https://matoukbassiouny.com/.

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy (“MBH”) acted as legal counsel to Btech Trade and Btech Finance (“Btech”) in connection with an EGP 1,759,000,000 (one billion seven hundred fifty-nine million Egyptian Pounds) securitization transaction. This transaction represents the first issuance of Capital’s fourteenth securitization program amounting to an aggregate of EGP 10,000,000,000 (ten billion Egyptian Pounds). The MBH team advising on the securitization was led by Mohamed Abdel Fattah (Partner and Head of Capital Markets), Imane Raouf (Partner), and included Abdel Reheem Ashraf (Senior Associate), Mariam Goubran (Associate) and Ahmed Ayman (Associate). CIB was also involved in the transaction as the financial advisor, Baker Tilly as the Auditor, Capital Securitization Company as the Securitization Company, Middle East Rating & Investors Service (“MERIS”) as the rating agency. We would like to extend our gratitude to all the stakeholders involved and our dedicated team whose hard work and commitment made this transaction possible. This landmark deal is a testament to our commitment to fostering innovation in the financial sector and advancing economic development. As we move forward, we remain committed to supporting the growth of consumer finance in Egypt and contributing to the empowerment of communities through access to much-needed financial resources.   For more about Matouk Bassiouny, check out our website at https://matoukbassiouny.com/.

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy (“MBH”) acted as legal advisor to Jackson Square Aviation (Ireland) Limited (“JSA”), a global leader in aircraft leasing, in connection with its first-ever commercial aircraft lease transaction in Egypt to flyplus (formerly known as Nesma Airlines). MBH advised JSA on the delivery of an Airbus A321-200 aircraft (MSN 5922) to Egyptian carrier flyplus. The aircraft strengthens flyplus’s narrowbody fleet, providing increased capacity and efficiency for its regional and international operations, supporting Egypt's growing tourism and travel sector. This transaction was led by Sherif El Hosseny (Partner and Head of Aviation) and included Malak El Amiry (Associate), to mark a significant milestone as the inaugural entry of JSA’s leasing portfolio into the Egyptian market, expanding its footprint in the Middle East and North Africa region. #MBH #MBHAviation #AviationLaw #AircraftLeasing #Egypt #JacksonSquareAviation #JSA #NesmaAirlines # flyplus #AirbusA321 #DealAnnouncement #LegalAdvisor #MiddleEastAviation #NorthAfrica #FirstTransaction For more about Matouk Bassiouny, check out our website at https://matoukbassiouny.com/.

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy (“MBH”) acted as Egyptian legal counsel to IFC – International Finance Corporation on its first investment in a securitization transaction in Egypt. The transaction involved a securitization programme launched by GlobalCorp, structured into three tranches with distinct maturities and credit ratings. This transaction contributes to the continued development of Egypt’s securitization framework and supports the diversification of local capital markets. The MBH team advising on the transaction was led by Imane Raouf (Partner), with the support of Laila Zaki (Associate) and Mariam Goubran (Associate). We were pleased to work alongside Ashurst as international counsel on this transaction, and we extend our appreciation to all parties involved for their collaboration and efforts in bringing this milestone transaction to completion. This transaction reflects our continued commitment to supporting the growth of Egypt’s capital markets and advising on innovative and first-of-their-kind financings. For more about Matouk Bassiouny, visit https://matoukbassiouny.com/.

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy (“MBH”) acted as legal advisor to Admaius Capital Partners and the founders of Parkville Holding B.V. and its subsidiaries, one of Egypt’s leading cosmeceutical businesses, in connection with the signing of definitive transaction documentation for the sale of a majority stake to Adenia Partners. This transaction follows MBH’s prior advice to Admaius Capital Partners on its acquisition of a minority stake in Parkville, reflecting the firm’s continued involvement in the company’s growth journey. The transaction marks the successful full exit of Admaius Capital Partners and represents a significant milestone in Parkville’s continuous growth, paving the way for its next phase of expansion and regional development under Adenia Partners’ ownership. Completion of the transaction remains subject to customary closing conditions and the receipt of required regulatory approvals. The MBH team advising on the transaction was led by Omar S. Bassiouny (Founding Partner and Group Head of Corporate and M&A), and included Salma El Refaie (Senior Associate) and Mayar Sharafeldin (Associate). MBH is proud to have supported Admaius Capital Partners and the founders of Parkville through this important milestone and to have contributed to a significant private equity transaction in Egypt’s fast-growing cosmeceutical and healthcare sectors. For more about Matouk Bassiouny, visit https://matoukbassiouny.com/.

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy ("MBH") acted as legal counsel to National Bank of Egypt ("NBE"), the largest commercial bank in Egypt, in connection with a shareholder agreement with Scatec ASA for an equity partnership in Scatec's 1.1GW solar and 100MW/200MWh battery storage hybrid project, Obelisk in Egypt. Following the transaction, NBE holds a 20% economic interest in the project. Scatec retains a 40% economic interest while maintaining majority control through a layered ownership structure, with the remaining stakes held by EDF power solutions (20%) and Norfund (20%). The transaction reflects growing local institutional participation in Egypt's renewable energy sector and supports Scatec's strategy of bringing in high-quality partners to optimize capital structure while retaining control of core assets. The MBH team advising on the transaction was led by Hazem El Guindi (Partner) on the corporate section, and Mahmoud Bassiouny (Regional Managing Partner Group Head of Finance & Projects) and Iman Nassar (Senior Associate) on the financing section. For more about Matouk Bassiouny, visit https://matoukbassiouny.com/

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy has successfully obtained a significant and enforceable court ruling from the Administrative Court at the Egyptian State Council, suspending the decision of the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI) to invite the General Assembly of the Egyptian Resorts Company S.A.E. to meet for the election of a new Board of Directors. The appeal was filed and adjudicated in less than one week from the date of filing, reflecting the efficiency and swift handling of the matter before the competent court. This judgment represents an important precedent for companies listed on the Egyptian Exchange, particularly in relation to corporate governance and the regulatory framework governing General Assembly procedures. The case was handled by Amr Ehab (Partner) and Doha Eldari (Senior Associate) from our Litigation Department. We are proud to have successfully represented our client in securing this landmark ruling and contributing to the development of key legal principles impacting listed companies in Egypt. For more about Matouk Bassiouny, visit matoukbassiouny.com.

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy ("MBH") acted as legal counsel to International Company for Leasing S.A.E. ("Incolease") in connection with its inaugural securitization issuance, with a total value of EGP 2 billion under its EGP 10 billion program. This landmark transaction represents a significant milestone in Incolease's journey, marking its entry into the securitization market and supporting the company's strategy to enhance liquidity and diversify its funding sources. The transaction reflects strong coordination among all parties involved and underscores market confidence in the quality of the underlying assets and Incolease's financial standing. The MBH team advising on the transaction was led by Mohamed Abdel Fattah (Partner and Head of Capital Markets) and Imane Raouf (Partner), and included Abdel Reheem Ashraf (Senior Associate), Laila Zaki (Associate), Mariam Goubran (Associate), and Ahmed Ayman (Associate). Al Ahly Pharos was involved in the transaction as the investment bank, Baker Tilly as auditor, and Middle East Rating & Investors Service (MERIS) as rating agency. Participating banks included Arab African International Bank, National Bank of Egypt (NBE), Banque Misr, Al Baraka Bank Egypt, SAIB, and Attijariwafa Bank. For more about Matouk Bassiouny, visit https://matoukbassiouny.com/.

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy ("MBH") acted as legal counsel to Scatec ASA, a leading renewable energy solutions provider, in connection with a shareholder agreement with National Bank of Egypt ("NBE") for an equity partnership in Scatec's 1.1GW solar and 100MW/200MWh battery storage hybrid project, Obelisk in Egypt. Following the transaction, NBE holds a 20% economic interest in the project. Scatec retains a 40% economic interest while maintaining majority control through a layered ownership structure, with the remaining stakes held by EDF power solutions (20%) and Norfund (20%). The transaction reflects growing local institutional participation in Egypt's renewable energy sector and supports Scatec's strategy of bringing in high-quality partners to optimize capital structure while retaining control of core assets. The MBH team advising on the transaction was led by Hazem El Guindi (Partner) on the corporate section, and Mahmoud Bassiouny (Regional Managing Partner Group Head of Finance & Projects) and Iman Nassar (Senior Associate) on the financing section. For more about Matouk Bassiouny, visit https://matoukbassiouny.com/

Mohamed will join on 1 June 2026 as Partner and Co-Head of the Finance and Projects group, with over 16 years of experience advising on complex infrastructure, energy, and PPP projects in Egypt. Mohamed brings in valuable and diverse experience, where prior to joining the firm, he was leading the Infrastructure and Power practice with strong expertise in projects’ development, financing, in addition to heading the M&A practice at Sharkawy & Sarhan. Earlier in his career, he was seconded to Allen & Overy LLP (now A&O Shearman) in Dubai, where he gained valuable exposure to international law firm standards and expectations. Mohamed advises multilateral institutions, development finance institutions, public sector entities, lenders, sponsors, and private equity players on complex and first-in-country project finance and utility-scale renewable energy projects and strategic investments. He is consistently ranked in the top tiers and bands of legal periodicals in his areas of expertise. Naila has just joined the firm as Partner in Finance & Projects, with over two decades of international experience spanning the United Kingdom, Europe, and Egypt. She brings a unique cross-border perspective shaped by senior roles at leading international law firms and major corporations, including Linklaters, Dentons Wilde Sapte (now Dentons), Babcock & Brown, Hassan Allam Holdings and Sharkawy & Sarhan. Naila has extensive experience advising on complex infrastructure, energy, and public-private partnerships (PPP) projects across the EMEA region. Having spent significant time between Cairo and London throughout her career, Naila brings deep cultural fluency, an understanding of geopolitical challenges and a strong international network, further strengthening the firm’s ability to support clients across jurisdictions and expand its regional reach. As a talented relationship builder, dot connector and experienced communicator, Naila will play a leading role as Head of Client Development and Strategy. Mahmoud Bassiouny, Regional Managing Partner, has expressed "The joining of Mohamed and Naila as partners is a clear demonstration of our commitment to continue attracting technically excellent and ethically minded lawyers who share our drive to deliver the highest standard of service to our clients. As Egypt continues to attract landmark infrastructure investment and project finance mandates, Mohamed's leadership as Co-Head of Finance & Projects will be instrumental in ensuring our clients receive best-in-class counsel at every stage. Equally, Naila's dedicated focus to client development will further strengthen our ability to anticipate and meet our clients’ needs." For more on Naila & Hazzaa’s expertise, visit: https://matoukbassiouny.com/partner-profile/naila-ramsay/ https://matoukbassiouny.com/partner-profile/mohamed-nabil-hazzaa/

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy (“MBH”) acted as legal counsel to private equity firm Amethis in connection with its significant minority investment in Tiba for Starch & Glucose, a leading Egyptian producer of rice-based specialty food ingredients. The transaction supports Tiba’s growth ambitions and aims to strengthen its operational capabilities and long-term development both locally and globally. The MBH team advising on the transaction was led by Mariam Auda (Partner) and included Amina Shawky (Associate). For more about Matouk Bassiouny, visit https://matoukbassiouny.com/

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy, in collaboration with the legal department of Juhayna Food Industries, has successfully obtained a significant court ruling in favor of the company.  The judgment establishes an important and modern judicial precedent concerning the application of conflict of interest rules for listed companies, integrating both the provisions of the Egyptian Companies Law and the listing and delisting regulations of the Egyptian Exchange. The court upheld the validity of Juhayna’s decision to exclude a candidate from running for membership on its Board of Directors, on the grounds that the candidate was engaged in a competing business activity without obtaining prior authorization from the company’s General Assembly—even where such activity predated the candidate’s nomination. Amr Ehab, Partner in our Litigation Department, commented that this ruling represents a significant judicial precedent for companies listed on the Egyptian Exchange. He further noted that the judgment highlights the efficiency of the Economic Court in resolving investor-related disputes under Egyptian corporate law, with the case being adjudicated in less than five months from the filing date. The case was handled by Amr Ehab (Partner), alongside Nora Rabie (Senior Associate), under the supervision of Mohamed Abdel Fattah (Partner and Head of Capital Markets) at Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy. We are proud to have supported Juhayna Food Industries in securing this landmark judgment and to have contributed to establishing a key precedent in the Egyptian legal landscape. For more about Matouk Bassiouny, visit matoukbassiouny.com.

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny’s arbitration team has secured a favourable award for a major Egyptian pharmaceutical company, acting as an agent and distributor for several international pharmaceutical companies. The dispute arose out of a long-term contractual relationship concerning the promotion and distribution of pharmaceutical products for a leading European pharmaceutical company. The arbitration was conducted under the Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC) Rules, with its seat in Dubai, UAE, and governed by German law. Following complex arbitral proceedings, including the cross-examination of multiple witnesses, the Tribunal issued an award in our client’s favour, granting an award of approximately EUR 2.1 million. This successful outcome was achieved by our team, led by Dr Ahmed Abdelhakeem (Partner), together with Khaled Abou El Wafa (Senior Associate), and Mohamed Abdelkhalek (Associate). We are also grateful to Oliver Korte, Helena Thiel, and Christopher D. Harten of ADVANT Beiten for their valuable support on German law issues. For more about Matouk Bassiouny, visit matoukbassiouny.com.

Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy (“MBH”) is proud to announce a significant achievement by its Litigation team, successfully securing a landmark victory in a complex cross-border criminal dispute involving asset exposure exceeding EGP 1 billion. MBH represented one of Lebanon’s most prominent families in a multi-jurisdictional matter arising from a series of fraudulent transactions targeting extensive landholdings across Lebanon, Egypt, and Jordan. Investigations uncovered a sophisticated scheme involving the forgery of multiple powers of attorney, which were unlawfully used to facilitate the sale and disposal of key real estate assets in both Egypt and Lebanon. MBH was engaged at a critical stage of the dispute and promptly undertook a comprehensive legal and factual assessment. Upon identifying strong evidence of criminal conduct, our team initiated coordinated legal action, including the filing of criminal complaints and the submission of extensive evidentiary records before the Public Prosecution. Over a two-year period, MBH’s team led all aspects of the proceedings before the Public Prosecution, including drafting detailed submissions, attending investigative sessions, and solidifying legal arguments supported by documentary evidence. These efforts culminated in the successful referral of the principal perpetrator to trial before the competent Felony Criminal Court. In a decisive outcome, the court issued its judgment convicting the defendant of forging official documents and unlawfully using them, sentencing him to 15 years of rigorous imprisonment. This landmark judgment underscores MBH’s capability to navigate complex, high-stakes criminal matters across multiple jurisdictions. It represents a decisive victory for the client, securing substantial assets and reinforcing the rule of law against sophisticated fraudulent schemes. The MBH team that handled this matter was led by Dr. Mohamed Shehata (Partner and Head of Litigation & TMT), Reda Morsy (Legal Director), Eslam Abdeldayem (Counsel), Ayman Sedik (Legal Director for Criminal Enforcement & Intelligence), Mahmoud Ghanem (Senior Associate), Hamada Farahat (Senior Associate), and Mohamed Hanafy (Associate). For more about Matouk Bassiouny, please visit our website at https://matoukbassiouny.com/.

We are pleased to announce that the Litigation team at Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy (“MBH”) has secured a landmark victory in a high-stakes, long-running dispute in favor of NESCO Egypt for Tourism Investments, involving a total exposure exceeding EGP 4 billion. The dispute started in 2011, when the company initiated proceedings seeking a declaration of non-liability in relation to alleged indebtedness claimed by one of Egypt’s largest banks. The banks subsequently filed counterclaims seeking repayment of the loan amount together with various forms of accrued interest. In 2021, a judgment was rendered at first instance against the company, ordering repayment to three major banks, inclusive of compounded and variable interest, bringing the total adjudicated liability to over EGP 4 billion—exceeding the principal amounts originally claimed. At the appellate stage, our firm was instructed to assume representation of the client at a critical juncture, notably after the Cairo Court of Appeal had reserved judgment on the appeals filed by the company, the banks, and a major real estate development company. We promptly submitted a motion to reopen pleadings, supported by compelling legal arguments and evidence demonstrating the necessity of enabling the client to fully present its defense. The Court of Appeal granted our motion and ordered the reopening of pleadings. During the subsequent hearing, our team advanced comprehensive legal arguments and strategic defenses, seeking the complete annulment of the first-instance judgment and a declaration that the court lacked jurisdiction. In a significant development in 2024, the Court of Appeal ruled in our favor, setting aside the first-instance judgment and determining that jurisdiction properly rested with the Cairo Economic Court. While this constituted a major procedural and substantive success, the dispute continued following referral to the competent court. Over the ensuing period, we diligently represented the client before the Cairo Economic Court, submitting detailed pleadings and robust defenses. The court ultimately upheld our position and dismissed the banks’ claims in their entirety. This outcome represents a decisive and comprehensive victory for our client and underscores MBH’s proven ability to successfully navigate complex, high-value disputes and deliver exceptional results under demanding circumstances. The MBH team that handled this matter was led by Dr. Mohamed Shehata (Partner and Head of Litigation & TMT), Reda Morsy (Legal Director), Dr. Tamer Sayed (Legal Director), Khaled Shedid (Legal Director), Eslam Abdeldayem (Counsel), Abdelrahman Hassan (Senior Associate), Mohamed Hanafy (Associate), Abdelrahman Agha (Associate), and Yara Abdelaleem (Associate). For more about Matouk Bassiouny, check out our website at https://matoukbassiouny.com/

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy (“MBH”) acted as legal counsel to Halan for Consumer Finance (“Halan”) in connection with an EGP 2,214,000,000 (Two billion two hundred fourteen million Egyptian Pounds) securitization transaction.  This transaction represents the fifth issuance of Capital’s seventh securitization program, amounting to an aggregate of EGP 11,500,000,000 (Eleven billion five hundred million Egyptian Pounds). The MBH team advising on the securitization was led by Mohamed Abdel Fattah (Partner and Head of Capital Markets), Imane Raouf (Partner), and included Abdel Reheem Ashraf (Senior Associate), Mariam Goubran (Associate), and Ahmed Ayman (Associate). CI Capital was also involved in the transaction as the financial advisor, Baker Tilly as the auditor, Capital Securitization Company as the securitization company, and Middle East Rating & Investors Service (“MERIS”) as the rating agency. We would like to extend our gratitude to all the stakeholders involved and to our dedicated team, whose hard work and commitment made this transaction possible. This landmark deal is a testament to our commitment to fostering innovation in the financial sector and advancing economic development. As we move forward, we remain committed to supporting the growth of consumer finance in Egypt and contributing to the empowerment of communities through access to much-needed financial resources. For more about Matouk Bassiouny, visit matoukbassiouny.com.

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy (“MBH”) acted as legal counsel to El Sayyad Group in connection with reviewing and negotiating agreements related to the opening of Rove Hotels in Egypt. Rove is a dynamic hospitality brand affiliated with Emaar Group, and this transaction marks its first entry into the Egyptian market. This strategic collaboration brings Rove's contemporary lifestyle hospitality concept to Egypt, further enriching the country's growing tourism landscape and aligning with the government's broader vision to expand hotel capacity and attract diverse international brands. The MBH team advising El Sayyad Group was led by Hazem ElGuindi (Partner) and included Shaimaa El Fahmy (Senior Associate), with Valor Partners acting as strategic advisor to El Sayyad Group. We extend our congratulations to El Sayyad Group and Rove Hotels on this exciting milestone, and to our dedicated team for their support in facilitating this transaction. For more about Matouk Bassiouny, check out our website at https://matoukbassiouny.com/.

We are pleased to announce that Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy (“MBH”) acted as legal counsel to Mr. Ayman Aouf, founder and CEO of Travel Aspect, in connection with obtaining the exclusive operational rights in Egypt from BRUSECO, a leading European mobility and chauffeur training and certification company. BRUSECO, represented by Mr. Paul Brussaard, specializes in executive chauffeur training and related driving professions and operates across the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Austria, and Switzerland. The company works alongside internationally recognized certification bodies, including DEKRA and CCV, to provide professional training and certification programs for chauffeurs and mobility professionals. The transaction marks an important milestone for Aspect Chauffeurs and represents a significant step towards introducing internationally recognized executive chauffeur training and certification standards to the Egyptian market. MBH advised the client throughout the transaction, including liaising between the parties, drafting and negotiating the franchise agreement, and advising on the establishment of the company that will hold and operate the BRUSECO license in Egypt. The MBH team advising on the transaction was led by Sherif El Hosseny (Partner and Head of Aviation) and included Saifallah Kadry (Senior Associate). We are proud to have supported Travel Aspect on this strategic transaction and to have contributed to bringing internationally recognized chauffeur training and certification standards to Egypt, further supporting the development of the country's mobility and transportation services sector. For more about Matouk Bassiouny, visit matoukbassiouny.com.

Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy (“MBH”) is proud to announce a significant achievement by its Litigation team, which successfully secured a landmark victory in a complex cross-border criminal dispute involving assets valued at over EGP 1 billion. MBH represented one of Lebanon’s prominent families in a multi-jurisdictional matter arising from a series of fraudulent transactions targeting substantial landholdings located in Egypt. Investigations revealed a sophisticated scheme involving the forgery of multiple powers of attorney, which were unlawfully utilized to facilitate the transfer and disposition of key real estate assets belonging to the family. MBH was retained at a critical stage of the matter, as the defendants had approached the competent Survey Authority seeking to collect compensation related to the family’s property using the forged powers of attorney. MBH’s team successfully managed to secure compensation with an excess amount of EGP 43 million due to our client and promptly reported the fraudulent usage of the forged powers of attorney to the competent authorities. Following extensive investigations, the Public Prosecution referred the defendants, along with the forged powers of attorney, to the competent Felony Criminal Court on charges related to the forgery and use of forged official documents. Over the course of the proceedings, MBH led all aspects of the case before the Criminal Court, including the preparation of comprehensive legal memoranda, the development of robust legal arguments supported by extensive documentary evidence, and the submission of detailed rebuttals to the arguments advanced by the defense team and foreign witness testimony presented throughout the court hearings. In a decisive outcome, the Felony Criminal Court convicted the defendants with ten years of rigorous imprisonment for forging official documents and using forged official documents. This landmark judgment highlights MBH’s ability to navigate complex, high-stakes criminal disputes spanning multiple jurisdictions. It represents an additional significant victory for the client, safeguarding substantial assets and reinforcing the rule of law against sophisticated fraudulent schemes. The MBH team that handled this matter was led by Dr. Mohamed Shehata (Partner and Head of Litigation & TMT), Reda Morsy (Legal Director), Eslam Abdeldayem (Counsel), and Mohamed Hanafy (Associate). For more about Matouk Bassiouny, please visit our website at https://matoukbassiouny.com/. For further press-related inquiries please contact Mohamed Mohy ([email protected])

Geopolitical tensions in the Gulf are no longer just a political or military concern. They are actively reshaping contractual risk and have huge impact on contracts including construction and oil and gas contracts. From disrupted supply chains to surging costs and delayed performance, businesses are increasingly asking the same question: does this excuse performance, or merely make it more expensive? And what are the legal consequences of either of these two impacts? The answer lies in a critical legal distinction under Gulf laws, influenced by Egyptian law: Force majeure applies where performance becomes impossible. In this case, the obligations in question would be extinguished, and the contract may be terminated. Hardship applies where performance remains possible but excessively burdensome, threatening excessive losses and disturbing the contractual equilibrium. In this case, courts may rebalance the contract by changing the extent of obligations or by suspending them. In both cases, the event in question must be exceptional, unpredictable and unavoidable. These terms were extensively defined under Gulf laws and courts jurisprudence. The difference between these two doctrines is not merely academic. It determines whether a party walks away without liability or remains bound (albeit on adjusted terms). To deal with the consequences of force majeure and hardship events, clients are advised to make sure of the following: Review governing law and contract terms carefully. The availability and scope of relief depend heavily on both. Do not assume economic disruption qualifies as force majeure. The threshold is significantly higher than commercial hardship. Document causation and mitigation efforts: Parties must demonstrate that the event directly caused the disruption and that reasonable steps were taken to mitigate its impact. Consider proactive renegotiation. In hardship scenarios, courts favor rebalancing rather than termination. Draft with precision going forward. Clear force majeure clauses and risk allocation mechanisms are critical in volatile geopolitical environments In our latest client alert, we break down how courts across the GCC are approaching these doctrines in light of current geopolitical developments, with practical guidance for navigating ongoing disruption. Read the full article here