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 ShowThe US-Iran Framework Breakthrough, 600 Tankers Await Hormuz Reopening, and UAE’s Next-Gen AI Authority
In this episode, we break down the immediate plunge in global oil prices and the stock market rally triggered by the historic US-Iran framework peace…
The Smashi Business ShowBlue Owl’s Abu Dhabi Expansion, Ninja Challenges Uber’s Dominance, and DOJ Clears Mega Media Merger
In this episode, we break down private credit titan Blue Owl Capital’s move to establish its regional headquarters in Abu Dhabi amid macroeconomic shifts. We…
The Smashi Business ShowSpaceX Mints Saudi Billions; Al Habtoor Eyes Syria; Altman Cancels Abu Dhabi Trip
SpaceX Mints Saudi Billions; Al Habtoor Eyes Syria; Altman Cancels Abu Dhabi Trip
The Smashi Business ShowEmaar Megaproject; Kalshi World Cup Deal; Al Haboob Founders
HEADLINES:• Emaar just launched a Dh200 billion megaproject in Dubai for 150,000 residents• The $22 billion prediction market Kalshi just became a World Cup…
The Smashi Business ShowSaudi Lebanon Trade Reopens; SpaceX IPO; FII New CEO
HEADLINES:• Saudi Arabia lifts five year Lebanon import ban as Riyadh backs Beirut reforms • SpaceX IPO Draws Billions in Orders From Middle East Funds • FII…
The Smashi Business ShowEmirates Renews Real Madrid, Meta Court Action, Mubadala Fast Food Play
HEADLINES:• Real Madrid land €100 million-a-year Emirates sponsorship deal• Meta Says Israeli Spyware Firm Targeted WhatsApp Users Again• Mubadala Is…
The Smashi Business ShowTalabat Takeover Battle, Iranian Assets and UAE Expansion in Africa
HEADLINES:• Saudi Ninja Founder Ebrahim Al Jassim Is Trying to Acquire HungerStation and Parts of Talabat: FT• US Is Considering Using Iranian Assets to Pay…
The Smashi Business ShowNEOM Cuts, UAE $1.4T US Investment Plan & Paramount-Warner Deal
HEADLINES:• Saudi Arabia faces $16 billion bill to scale back parts of NEOM: Semafor• UAE says $1.4 trillion US investment plan is ahead of schedule• US states…
The Smashi Business ShowRonaldo $2B Rich; Iran's Assets for Gulf Repair; No Deal with Israeli Club; Riyadh Air
Today’s Smashi Business Show brings you four global stories shaping markets, sport, aviation, and geopolitics. Cristiano Ronaldo becomes the first active…
The Smashi Business Show$1.7 Billion Sphere Abu Dhabi, Dubai Property Recovering & Naguib's Bold Prediction
Is the UAE becoming the world's safest investment destination? In today's Smashi Business Show, Abdul Majid Awan breaks down Abu Dhabi's massive $1.7 billion…
The Smashi Business ShowState Street Oman, Saudi PIF & Manchester United
HEADLINES:• State Street is Deepening its Gulf Presence With Oman Expansion Plan• Saudi PIF is Actively Replacing Foreign Executives With Local Talent in…
The Smashi Business ShowSpaceX $75B IPO, Gulf Shipping & Abu Dhabi
HEADLINES:• SpaceX Targets Record-Breaking $75B IPO, Set to Eclipse Aramco Listing• Berenjak Expands to Abu Dhabi Amid Regional Conflict and Gulf Hospitality…
The Smashi Business ShowUpScrolled Banned; IAEA Praises UAE; Alabbar Takes Over
HEADLINES:• UpScrolled Has Just Been Banned In Saudi Arabia• IAEA Chief Says Barakah Attack Tested UAE Nuclear Safety Systems• Mohamed Alabbar Takes Direct…
The Smashi Business ShowSky-IMI Split, IFFCO Bidding Interest, e& Cashes Out of Careem
HEADLINES:• Former Sky News Arabia boss slams Guardian reporting on Sky UAE exit• Alabbar and IHC show interest in debt-hit IFFCO• e& sells 12.5% Careem stake…
The Smashi Business ShowPSG's $5B Rise, SpaceX IPO Buzz, UAE AI Predicts Heatwaves
HEADLINES:• PSG turns from football gamble to $5 billion global asset machine • Kingdom Holding jumps as SpaceX stake re-rates the stock ahead of IPO • UAE…
The Smashi Business ShowUAE Growth Surges, Dubai's Leadership Advantage & PSG's $5 Billion Business Transformation
we explore the UAE’s strong 6.2% economic growth in 2025, the leadership approach that continues to make Dubai a magnet for entrepreneurs and investors, and…
The Smashi Business ShowIran Reconstruction Plan, Riyadh Air Expansion and Qatar Hormuz Position
A proposed $300 billion reconstruction programme for Iran, Saudi Arabia push to build Riyadh Air despite regional tensions, and Qatar latest position on Strait…
The Smashi Business ShowMGX Winner in Anthropic-OpenAI race; Talabat & HungerStation in Focus; Made in Saudi Drones
From AI megadeals to food delivery consolidation and a new wave of defense manufacturing, today’s stories highlight how capital, technology, and power are…
The Smashi Business ShowCalo Retreats From Britain; Iran Reconnects After Blackout; Kalshi Funding Frenzy
Calo shuts down its UK operations despite IPO ambitions, Iran reconnects after an 88 day internet blackout, and Kalshi pushes toward a $22 billion valuation as…
The Smashi Business ShowGaza Aid Delays, Mumtalakat Earnings, UAE Trade Resilience, Mubadala’s $2B Sale
On today’s episode of the Smashi Business Show, Abdul Majid Awan breaks down four major stories shaping business across the region. We look at why the…
The Smashi Business ShowMGX's AI Biotech Play and Saudi Capital in Italian Luxury Hotels and Syria’s New Entrepreneurship Frontier
In this episode, we break down Abu Dhabi-backed MGX’s entry into Isomorphic Labs' $2.1 billion funding round to revolutionize AI-driven drug discovery. We also…
The Smashi Business ShowUS-Iran Deal Talks, Manchester City Reset & Gulf Food Future
HEADLINES:• Oil Falls as US-Iran Talks Ease Supply Fears, but Trump Cautions Against Rushing Deal • Guardiola Exit Marks New Era for Abu Dhabi-Owned Manchester…
The Smashi Business ShowNEOM Delays; Abu Dhabi Sphere; Qatar Airways Fallout
Saudi Arabia slows down parts of NEOM as capital shifts toward ports and AI infrastructure, Abu Dhabi doubles down on entertainment with a $1.7 billion Sphere…
The Smashi Business ShowSaudi Logistics Push; Qatar IPO Revival; Dubai Mogul Lawsuit
Saudi Arabia weighs creating a logistics giant to rival DP World, Qatar billionaire-backed Estithmar Holding explores a rare Doha IPO with Rothschild, and…
The Smashi Business ShowDubai Relief Package, Saudi Spending Freeze & Noon AI Layoffs
HEADLINES:• Dubai Crown Prince just approved a $408 million economic relief package • Saudi Arabia Freezes Consultancy Payments as Iran War Pressures State…
The Smashi Business ShowUAE Hormuz Pipeline, Microsoft Israel Exit & Saudi AI Theme Parks
HEADLINES:• UAE Oil Pipeline Bypassing Strait of Hormuz Hits 50% Complete• Microsoft Israel Head to Step Down After Inquiry Into Military Surveillance Links•…
The Smashi Business ShowBlackRock Backs Dubai GymNation as Emaar Bets on Syria Again
HEADLINES:• Dubai-born GymNation just secured $100m BlackRock-backed investment• Emaar Exits $500 Million Syria JV While Mohamed Alabbar Doubles Down on…
The Smashi Business ShowUAE Salary Crackdown, PIF & Newcastle Stadium, Dubai Holding AI Deal
HEADLINES:• UAE scraps salary grace period as late-pay crackdown kicks in June 1 • PIF explores outside investors as Newcastle eyes £1bn stadium decision •…
The Smashi Business ShowSaudi Economy, Palantir Stock & Noon Syria Expansion
HEADLINES:• Saudi emerges Gulf’s most resilient economy amid Strait fallout, IMF says • Mubadala Capital added Palantir stock to its portfolio in Q1 2026 •…
The Smashi Business ShowUAE Bets $5BN on India; Saudi Floats Iran Pact; Israel Threatens NYT Lawsuit
UAE–India Investment PushSaudi-Iran Non-Aggression PactIsrael vs New York Times
The Smashi Business ShowAbu Dhabi Sphere; Israel vs NYT; L’imad’s $30BN BlackRock Push
HEADLINES:• Abu Dhabi to become home of first Sphere outside of US • Israel threatens New York Times lawsuit over Palestinian prisoner abuse report • HH Sheikh…
The Smashi Business ShowThmanyah Founder Exit & Careem Saudi Pause
HEADLINES:• Thmanyah Founder Resigns as SRMG Raises Stake to 75%• Careem pulls back most Saudi consumer services amid strategic pauseNewsletter…
The Smashi Business ShowAlabbar in Syria; SRMG-Thmanyah Deal; The Giving Movement Sold
HEADLINES:• UAE tycoon Mohamed Alabbar plans up to $18 billion Syria investment• SRMG subsidiary raises stake in Thmanyah to 75%• The Giving Movement founder…
The Smashi Business ShowHabshan Gas Cuts, Emaar Shift & Cerebras $34B IPO Surge
HEADLINES:• UAE's Habshan gas plant to stay below full capacity until 2027• Dubai Holding has tightened it control of Emaar in $6.5B stake shift as property…
The Smashi Business ShowOil Shock, Hormuz LNG, Aramco Surge, UAE Relief
HEADLINES:• Oil Jumps as Trump Rejects Iran Peace Proposal • Pakistan Secures Qatari LNG Lifeline Through Hormuz • Aramco Posts Record Quarterly Profit Surge •…
The Smashi Business ShowUAE’s AI Chip Delivery and Mubadala’s Green Tech Investment and the Hormuz Transit Test
In this episode, we analyze the impact of the first batch of advanced U.S. AI chips arriving in the UAE to accelerate the nation's digital transformation. We…
The Smashi Business ShowUAE Leads Global AI Adoption, Hormuz Tensions & Iran Shipping Crackdown
HEADLINES:• UAE Retains Global Lead in AI Adoption With 70% Usage Rate, Microsoft Report Finds • Saudi Arabia and Kuwait Restore U.S. Military Access After…
The Smashi Business ShowAbu Dhabi Real Estate Boom & Alabbar’s Syria Push
HEADLINES:• Alabbar-led Eagle Hills studies $50 billion Syria projects• CEO Evgeny Ratskevich on Why Global Investors Are Flooding Abu Dhabi Real Estate…
The Smashi Business ShowSarwa Hits $1 Billion; Telegraph Drama; Man Group to Set Up in Abu Dhabi
HEADLINES: • Sarwa Crosses $1bn AUM as UAE Retail Investing Comes of Age• Telegraph, Politico owner says staff must align with pro-Israel principles or leave•…
The Smashi Business ShowGameStop eBay Bid, Gulf Funds, Dubai Agentic AI Push & Neom Port Trade Hub
HEADLINES:• GameStop Seeks Gulf Sovereign Wealth Funds to Plug $26.1 Billion Gap in $55.5 Billion eBay Bid • Dubai Launches Two-Year Push to Make Agentic AI…
The Smashi Business ShowDubai Blue Line, Hormuz Strike, UAE-US Defense Deal & AA Rating
HEADLINES:• “Those who invest in Dubai are investing in the future”: Sheikh Mohammed launches Blue Line tunnelling• Commercial vessel struck in Strait of…
The Smashi Business ShowHormuz Chokes Kuwait Oil; Axel Springer's Newsroom Ultimatum; Qatar Royals List $400M Bel-Air Loss
Today’s Smashi Business Show covers a major disruption in global energy markets as Kuwait’s exports are halted through the Strait of Hormuz, a $400 million…
The Smashi Business ShowNewcastle’s Future Under Saudi Ownership, U.S. Defense Deals, and Dana Gas Debt Settlement
In this episode, we analyze Eddie Howe’s comments on PIF’s unwavering commitment to Newcastle United amidst a broader sports portfolio review. We also examine…
The Smashi Business ShowSudan Arms Plot, Saudi LIV Exit, Amazon Cloud Crisis
HEADLINES:• UAE Charges 19 Sudanese, Including Former Intel Chief Salah Gosh, Over $13M Arms Smuggling• PlotSaudi Arabia pulls funding from LIV Golf, WSJ…
The Smashi Business ShowUAE property shifts & CarniStore scaling retail
HEADLINES:• Dubai Lowers Property Threshold for Two-Year Residency Visa• UAE startup CarniStore founders discuss scaling a digital-first butcher model in a…
The Smashi Business ShowUAE OPEC Exit, Paramount–Warner Deal, Citadel Dubai Launch
HEADLINES:• UAE To Exit OPEC After Nearly 60 Years• Gulf funds to own 38.5% of Paramount–Warner Bros as $111bn deal moves forward• Citadel Gets Greenlight to…
The Smashi Business ShowElectronic Prices to Rise; ADNOC and US Gas; Delusional Media Outlets
HEADLINES:• Electronics prices set to rise as key Saudi plant shutdown squeezes global supply• We want to be bold in the US”: ADNOC eyes multi-billion gas…
The Smashi Business ShowHormuz Deal, Nuclear Delay, UAE $1B Fund, Bugatti Rimac BlueFive Deal
HEADLINES:• Iran proposes phased deal to reopen Strait of Hormuz, delay nuclear talks • UAE launches AED 1 billion industrial resilience fund to boost local…
The Smashi Business ShowThe $110B Media Merger, The Office Return, and the Saudi Cultural Wave
In this extended episode, we analyze the massive $110 billion Warner Bros Discovery and Paramount merger and the strategic role of Gulf sovereign funds. We…
The Smashi Business ShowHabtoor Lebanon Dispute, Sawiris Exits UK, Saudis Pull Funding
Today’s episode covers Dubai’s Al Habtoor launching a $1.7bn legal battle with Lebanon, billionaire Nassef Sawiris exiting the UK as wealth shifts to the UAE…
The Smashi Business ShowUAE Musk Call, Ronaldo Aldar, Saudi ETF Move
HEADLINES:• UAE President and Elon Musk Discuss AI, Space in Phone Call• Brazilian legend Ronaldo named brand ambassador for Abu Dhabi developer Aldar• PIF…
The Smashi Business ShowUAE AI Government, Qana Gas Tensions, Investcorp US Real Estate
HEADLINES:• UAE to run 50% of government on agentic AI within two years• Israel eyes control of $40bn Qana gas field• Investcorp invests $200m in US…
The Smashi Business ShowUAE Economy Strength, Gaza Reconstruction Talks, SpaceX AI Deal
HEADLINES:• UAE ambassador dismisses external funding claims, cites Dh7.34 trillion in assets• Trump’s Board of Peace holds Gaza reconstruction talks with…
The Smashi Business ShowApple CEO Shift, Swvl, UAE AI, UK Cuts
HEADLINES:• John Ternus to Succeed Tim Cook as Apple CEO, Facing AI and Product Innovation Push• Dubai-HQed and Egypt-born Swvl is not Delisting from Nasdaq•…
The Smashi Business ShowMiddle East Oil Recovery Gulf Deals Tabby License Netflix Partnership
HEADLINES:• IEA warns Middle East oil output recovery could take two years amid war damage and Hormuz disruption • stc group and Netflix expand partnership to…
The Smashi Business ShowDubai’s Real Estate Surge and Tabby’s Banking Evolution and Khabib’s Luxury Property Debut
In this episode, we break down Dubai’s resilient real estate market as it records AED 11.7 billion in a single week. We also explore Tabby’s major shift into…
The Smashi Business ShowAbu Dhabi’s China Pivot, the $20 Billion Uranium Deal, and Australian Market Moves
In this episode, we break down Abu Dhabi’s plan to consolidate its Chinese investment strategy under a new powerhouse entity. We also explore the high-stakes…
The Smashi Business ShowDubai Air Taxis, Alwaleed Buys Al Hilal, Abu Dhabi Joe & The Juice Deal
HEADLINES:• Sheikh Hamdan announces first air taxi station now 'ready'• Prince Alwaleed to Take 70% Stake in Al Hilal • UAE Investor Buys Stake in General…
The Smashi Business ShowPIF LIV Reset, Riyadh Metro, Bain AD Growth
HEADLINES:• Public Investment Fund Weighs Scaling Back LIV Golf Funding in Strategic Reset• Riyadh is opening its metro map to monetization• Bain Capital…
The Smashi Business ShowUAE Emiratisation Cuts, Pakistan Saudi, Iran China Intelligence
HEADLINES:• UAE to reduce salary top-ups for Emiratis in private sector • Pakistan Secures $3 Billion in Saudi Loans to Lift Reserves • Iran Used Chinese Spy…