Shows / The Smashi Business Show
The Smashi Business Show
The Smashi Business Show tells AI, tech, startup and business stories from the Arab world. For the driven, the dreamers and the doers. Hosted by Abdul Majid Awan, Ward Ahmed, and Wael Hossam El Din.
Episodes
The Smashi Business ShowMisk Forum Cancelled, Man City Talks & UAE Budget
HEADLINES:• Saudi Arabia's Misk Global Forum Just Cancelled Its 2026 Edition• Manchester City Held Premier League Settlement Talks: Bloomberg• UAE Approves AED…
The Smashi Business ShowRiyadh FII, ICC Sanctions, Dubai Metro, Autobia $12M Funding
HEADLINES:• Riyadh’s FII and World Petroleum Congress Remain on Schedule Amid Airport Attacks• DMCC Chairman Congratulates Navi Pillay on Nobel Peace Prize…
The Smashi Business ShowUAE IPO Outlook, QatarEnergy’s $3B Chinese Loan, and Oil Surges Near $100
In this episode of the Smashi Business Show, we discuss Morgan Stanley’s bullish outlook on UAE capital and credit markets following regional stabilization. We…
The Smashi Business ShowDP World’s Bangladesh Deal, UAE-Thailand CEPA, and Multi-Billion Syria Real Estate Investments
In this episode of the Smashi Business Show, we examine DP World securing a 15-year concession to operate a major container terminal at Bangladesh’s largest…
The Smashi Business ShowSaudi Water Billionaires, Elon Musk & Mashreq’s Rajeev Chalisgaonkar
HEADLINES:• Saudi Arabia’s Water Billionaires Behind a Giant $35B Desalination Business • Elon Musk’s Boring Company Explores Underground Tunnel Projects in…
The Smashi Business ShowDubai AI Agents, OpenAI $30B & Abu Dhabi $60B
HEADLINES:• Sheikh Hamdan Launches Dubai’s Create AI Agents Championship• OpenAI in Talks With UAE Funds, Including MGX, for $30B Funding Round• $60B New…
The Smashi Business ShowSmashi Business Show live from Day 2 of AI Everything Abu Dhabi 2026 event
Smashi Business Show live from Day 2 of AI Everything Abu Dhabi 2026 event
The Smashi Business ShowSmashi Business Show live from the 2026 AI Everything Abu Dhabi event
Smashi Business Show live from the 2026 AI Everything Abu Dhabi event
The Smashi Business ShowJeddah Tower, Saudi Oil, Qatar Gas, Gaza Journalists & Egypt Gold Bids
HEADLINES:• Jeddah Tower Set For Late 2028 Completion As Construction Accelerates• Saudi Arabia Boosts Oil Flows Through East-West Pipeline• Qatar PM Confirms…
The Smashi Business ShowMohamed Alabbar in Syria, Qatar’s $5.5M Startup Drive, and Riyadh Metro Expansion
In this episode of the Smashi Business Show, we cover Emirati businessman Mohamed Alabbar exploring investment opportunities in Syria and joining the launch of…
The Smashi Business ShowAbu Dhabi vs. the Premier League, Gulf Oil Winners, and Lamcy Plaza's Comeback
On this episode of the Smashi Business Show, host Abdul Majid Awan covers the top stories shaping Gulf business. Abu Dhabi reportedly threatens to pull…
The Smashi Business ShowGaza Diplomacy, Paramount-WBD, Mubadala & Syria
HEADLINES:• Kushner’s Gaza Diplomacy Faces Scrutiny Over Israeli Investment• Gulf-backed Paramount-WBD Deal Will Close by October 6• Mubadala Leads MENA…
The Smashi Business ShowShorooq Co-Founder Shane Shin on How Investors Decide Who Gets Capital
Shorooq Co-Founder Shane Shin on How Investors Decide Who Gets Capital
The Smashi Business Showflydubai Flight Suspension; Etihad Man City Case; Shorooq Co-Founder Shane Shin
HEADLINES:• flydubai Suspends Israel Flights After FZ1073 Security Incident • Etihad Airways ‘Categorically Rejects’ Premier League Findings in Manchester City…
The Smashi Business ShowMan City Verdict, DP World’s $7B Nigeria Bet & Dubai Beauty Funding
HEADLINES:• Manchester City Says Club Is ‘Innocent’ After Guilty Verdict on Almost All 115 Charges • DP World Takes Jebel Ali Model to Nigeria With $7 Billion…
The Smashi Business ShowMan City 114 Charges | Sheikh Hamdan’s Rail Ticket | ADIA’s $2.34B Deal
HEADLINES:• Man City Chairman Says Club Still ‘Confident’ After Reports of 114 Guilty Findings • Dubai Crown Prince Shares Etihad Rail Ticket on Snapchat…
The Smashi Business ShowEagle Hills' Vision for the Maldives, Sobha's $600M US Expansion, and Qatar Energy Extends LNG Force Majeure
In this episode of the Smashi Business Show, we explore Mohamed Alabbar's vision to transform the Maldives into a long-term residential and lifestyle hub with…
The Smashi Business ShowAramco’s $100B Gas Unit Plan, Man City Fights Premier League Ruling, and EQT Enters Abu Dhabi
In this episode of the Smashi Business Show, we analyze Saudi Aramco hiring Evercore to restructure its gas operations into a standalone $100B+ unit ahead of a…
The Smashi Business ShowManchester City, Replit Atta Deal & Palestinian Sneakers
Manchester City faces a defining moment as its long running Premier League financial case puts wider questions around governance and the league’s global…
The Smashi Business ShowHuda Eye Patch Gate; UAE Halts Iran Flights; Microsoft $10B Gulf Bet
HEADLINES:• Dubai Based Huda Kattan Says Brands Were ‘Screwed Over’ in Eye Patch Gate • UAE suspends flights by Iranian airlines until further notice •…
The Smashi Business ShowKaty Perry AED 400K Tickets; Bank Melli Iran; Musk Eyes Paramount
HEADLINES:• Katy Perry to Headline Atlantis Dubai NYE With Tickets Going Up to AED 400,000 • UAE Cuts Bank Melli Iran Branches Off From Iran Transactions •…
The Smashi Business ShowBanque Misr Sanctions, Paramount’s $110B Merger, Sajwani Eyes Man United
HEADLINES:• National Bank of Egypt to Acquire Banque Misr UAE Branches After US Sanctions Threat • Paramount Clears Final Legal Hurdle for $110 Billion Warner…
The Smashi Business ShowSaudi Ceer EVs, Amazon Istanbul Shift & Red Sea Film Festival
HEADLINES:• Saudi Crown Prince launches CEER's first electric vehicles • Amazon Shifts Regional Operations From Dubai to Istanbul • Red Sea Film Festival…
The Smashi Business ShowQatar’s New Domestic Platform, QIA-$20B JPMorgan Partnership, and UAE’s $12B Maldives Deal
In this episode of the Smashi Business Show, we examine Qatar setting up "Doha Investment" to reshape and grow its $580 billion wealth fund’s domestic…
The Smashi Business ShowSaudi Arabia Exits mBridge, EgyptAir Wins Big at Skytrax, and TMG-Roshn’s 55K Home Project
In this episode of the Smashi Business Show, we analyze Saudi Arabia’s planned withdrawal from the Beijing-led mBridge digital currency platform. We then…
The Smashi Business ShowJuffali Dubai Move, Uber Kuwait & Moonglaze Sephora
Saudi Arabia’s Juffali dynasty is shifting its investment firm from London to Dubai, Uber has launched in Kuwait, and Yara Alnamlah’s Moonglaze is appearing…
The Smashi Business ShowUAE Retail Sukuk, Saudi F 35 Deal & Squatwolf vs Sydney Sweeney
HEADLINES:• UAE Opens New Five Year Retail Sukuk From AED 1,000 • US Clears Way for $24.3 Billion F 35 Sale to Saudi Arabia • Squatwolf Founder Slams Sydney…
The Smashi Business ShowAWS War Damage, Emaar’s $1.2B Dividend, Macklemore Fallout
HEADLINES:• AWS cannot restore Bahrain data centre, UAE data zone access • Dubai developer Emaar's board approves Dh4.4 billion special dividend for…
The Smashi Business ShowSyria $200B Economy, Saudi Stadium & Al-Nassr Takeover
HEADLINES:• Syria’s Al Sharaa Targets $200 Billion Economy in Free-Market Push• Qatari Billionaire Moutaz Al-Khayyat Wins $221 Million Saudi Stadium Contract•…
The Smashi Business ShowArab Media Summit 2026, DP World Fleet, Saudi Rare Earth Discovery
HEADLINES:• Arab Media Summit 2026 kicks off in Dubai • DP World is expanding its truck fleet by 40%, from 700 to 1,000 vehicles, • Saudi Arabia Discovers 110…
The Smashi Business ShowIran Oil Threat, UAE-Iran BRICS Talks & Dubai Tourism Boom
HEADLINES:• US President: We may stay in Iran and "keep the oil" • UAE and Iran leadership meet at BRICS Summit in New Delhi • Dubai Tourism Rebounds as…
The Smashi Business ShowOpenAI Delays IPO, BRICS Calls for Restraint and Mubadala Bets on Luckin Coffee
In this episode of the Smashi Business Show, we look at why OpenAI is holding off on an IPO as Sam Altman raises concerns over AI safety. We also unpack BRICS’…
The Smashi Business ShowSaudi Pipeline, Apple Gaza Scrutiny & Claude Weapons
Saudi Arabia shuts its East-West oil pipeline after a drone attack from Iraq, an Israeli Air Force post puts Apple’s Israel ties back under scrutiny, and…
The Smashi Business ShowUAE’s €40B Bet, Musk’s Tunnels, UpScrolled’s Issam Hijazi
HEADLINES:• UAE Announces €40 Billion Investment Push Into Germany • Elon Musk’s The Boring Company plans 150km of tunnels in UAE, raises $3 billion •…
The Smashi Business ShowUAE Hormuz Red Line, Saudi Settlement Ban, Bahrain Airshow Cancelled
HEADLINES:• Saudi Arabia And Arab, Muslim States Welcome UK Ban On Israeli Settlement Goods • UAE Says Strait Of Hormuz Is A ‘Red Line’ • Bahrain Airshow…
The Smashi Business ShowLIV Golf Bankruptcy, AD Ports Buyout & Autonomous Mobility with Ian Ohan
HEADLINES:• Saudi-Backed LIV Golf Files for Bankruptcy After PIF Pulls Funding • L’imad unit has satisfied nearly all conditions to take AD Ports private •…
The Smashi Business ShowAdidas Backlash, ADNOC Dangote Deal & Sajwani Data Centres
HEADLINES:• Adidas Arabia Apologizes After Single Shoe Ad Featuring Ex-Israeli Soldier• ADNOC Eyes Stake in Dangote Refinery Ahead of $1.6 Billion IPO…
The Smashi Business ShowSaudi Nuclear Deal, G42 AI Push & Mubadala’s $3B Bet
HEADLINES:• Saudi Nuclear Deal Could Open Door To Uranium Enrichment Of Nearly 20%• G42 Explores Selling Majority Stake To US Companies Amid AI Chip Push•…
The Smashi Business ShowHormuz Escalation, Egypt’s $2.1B Refining Push, and HUMAIN’s IPO Strategy
In this episode of the Smashi Business Show, we examine Iran's targeted strikes against oil tankers and U.S. naval assets in the Strait of Hormuz following…
The Smashi Business ShowSaudi Arms Sale, Turkish Bank Sanctions & Lebanon AuditSaudi Arms Sale, Turkish Bank Sanctions & Lebanon Audit
The US approves a proposed $5 billion arms package for Saudi Arabia as the Kingdom faces heightened regional threats. Washington also sanctions Turkey’s Golden…
The Smashi Business ShowHUMAIN’s Arabic.AI Bet, Adidas Backlash, Dubai Sotheby’s $119M Lawsuit
HEADLINES:• Saudi AI Firm HUMAIN Invests in Nour Al Hassan’s Arabic.AI • Adidas Faces Backlash Over Campaign Featuring Former Israeli Soldier • Dubai Sotheby’s…
The Smashi Business ShowReplit Goes Global, ADNOC Ruwais & Kuwait Wealth Fund
HEADLINES:• Replit Opens First International Office in London After Hitting $9 Billion Valuation • ADNOC’s Ruwais Refinery Returns to Full Capacity After Iran…
The Smashi Business ShowSaudi Loans, Al Hilal Deal & Adam Neumann’s UAE Comeback
HEADLINES:• Prince Alwaleed’s Kingdom Holding Completes $224 Million Deal for 70% of Al Hilal• Saudi Arabia in preliminary talks to borrow $8B from banks…
The Smashi Business ShowSaudi AI Boom, LIV Golf Bankruptcy & UAE’s Syria Investment
HEADLINES:• LEAP 2026 Opens With $15 Billion AI Push as Saudi Arabia Lands Global Tech Deals • LIV Golf prepares for bankruptcy filing in September, FT reports…
The Smashi Business ShowBrent Crude, Banque Misr, Roblox Riyadh & Huda Beauty x Cardi B
HEADLINES:• Brent crude surges back above $90 as US-Iran strikes resume • Banque Misr UAE branches continue business as usual despite US warning • Roblox is…
The Smashi Business ShowUAE Central Bank Probes Banque Misr, Gaza Fund Allegations Refuted, and Dubai Airports' Resilience
In this episode of the Smashi Business Show, we examine the UAE Central Bank's urgent investigation into Banque Misr branches following U.S. money laundering…
The Smashi Business ShowNew Murabba, Banque Misr Sanctions & Taco Bell UAE
Saudi Arabia appoints PIF veteran Sabah Barakat to lead New Murabba as the kingdom elevates Saudi executives across major institutions. Washington targets…
The Smashi Business ShowTrump Crypto Bank, Mina Creamery & Dubai Airports
A UAE-backed entity emerges as a major shareholder behind World Liberty Financial’s planned crypto bank, Emirati entrepreneur Rihab Al Gurg builds Mina…
The Smashi Business ShowSaudi AI Fortunes, Shein’s $27B Valuation & Khamas Hospitality
HEADLINES:• Two Saudi Brothers Just Hit a $1.4 Billion Fortune as Humain Deal Expands • Mubadala in Line for Payout as Shein’s Valuation Drops to $27 Billion •…
The Smashi Business ShowAbu Dhabi GP, ADNOC Ship-Buying & Blank Street Founders
HEADLINES:• AED1.4B Economic Driver: Abu Dhabi GP Gets Green Light • ADNOC’s Ship-Buying Spree Reaches $2.7 Billion • Blank Street Raises $75 Million to Fuel…
The Smashi Business ShowSyria Terror Delisting, Saudi Dragon Ball Z Park & Pavel Durov’s France Probe
HEADLINES:• US removes Syria from 'state sponsor of terrorism' list • Saudi Arabia to Finance €6 Billion Dragon Ball Z Theme Park Near Paris • Pavel Durov…
The Smashi Business ShowOil Prices, Iran Sanctions, Binance UAE Inquiry & Saudi-France Ties
HEADLINES:• Oil Prices Slide Ahead of New US Sanctions on Iran• Binance Says Employees Cleared After UAE Inquiry • MBS in France as Saudi Arabia and France…
The Smashi Business ShowUAE-Russia Trade Grows as Qatar Cuts Spending and Iran Eyes a Way Out of War
In this episode of The Smashi Business Show, we look at the UAE-Russia trade and investment agreement coming into effect as the Emirates pushes ahead with its…
The Smashi Business ShowDubai's Rebound, Qatar's Squeeze, and the $100M Race for Arabic Music Rights
In this episode of the Smashi Business Show, we break down four stories reshaping the region's economy. Dubai's property market shows remarkable resilience…
The Smashi Business ShowDisney Abu Dhabi, Dubai’s AED111B Boom & Toyota Demolition
HEADLINES:• Disney Reveals Why Abu Dhabi Was Chosen for Its New Theme Park• Dubai Completes AED111 Billion In Real Estate Projects In First Half Of 2026•…
The Smashi Business ShowTrump-Iran Tensions, Saudi Football, UK-Israel Row & UAE Airfares
HEADLINES:• Trump Threatens “Economic D-Day” Against Iran, Puts China in Focus • Saudi Arabia Clears Path for Private Investment in Top Football Clubs • UK…
The Smashi Business ShowUAE-Iran Trade Suspension, Dubai Hotel Market & Saudi-UAE Bank Transfers
HEADLINES:• UAE Suspends Trade And Financial Transactions With Iran • Dubai Hotel Market Could Recover In Q4, But Luxury Supply Adds Pressure • Saudi Arabia…
The Smashi Business ShowHabtoor Slams Ben-Gvir, Saudi Oil Through Hormuz & Home Bakery Expansion
HEADLINES:• UAE Billionaire Habtoor Slams Ben-Gvir Over Call to Kill ‘30 to 40’ Palestinians Nightly• Saudi Arabia Offers Oil Near Oman as Aramco May Be…
The Smashi Business ShowAbu Dhabi AD Ports, Arabic AI & Saudi Pro League Spending
HEADLINES:• Abu Dhabi Moves To Take AD Ports Private • MBZUAI Finds Major Gap In Arabic AI Understanding • Saudi Pro League Cuts Spending As Rival Leagues Cash…
The Smashi Business ShowGulf-backed Anthropic’s $2T IPO, Abu Dhabi’s AI Drug Discovery & Aramco Stadium Nears Opening
On today’s Smashi Business Show, we look at three major stories shaping the Gulf’s growing role in technology, healthcare and sports. Anthropic could target a…