Top 10 Trending News of February’s Last Week

Updated 2/27/2026 9:00:00 AM

Arab Finance: The last week of February ended with a handful of key new pieces, with Fitch Solutions expecting Egypt’s natural gas production to rebound in 2026 and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) completing its review of the combined fifth and sixth reviews of Egypt’s economic reform program under the EFF program.

Here’s a list of the top 10 viral news stories of the last week of February:

1-IMF completes 5th, 6th reviews of Egypt program; unlocks $2.3B in funding

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Executive Board has completed the combined fifth and sixth reviews of Egypt’s economic reform program under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF), alongside the first review under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF).

2-Remittances to Egypt hit all-time high of $41.5B in 2025

Remittances from Egyptians working abroad surged to a record high in 2025, rising by 40.5% year on year (YoY) to approximately $41.5 billion from about $29.6 billion in 2024, according to a statement by the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE).

3-CBE expects GDP growth to accelerate to 5.1% in FY 2025/26

The Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) expects real gross domestic product (GDP) growth to accelerate at a faster-than-previously estimated pace, with the economy forecast to expand by an average of 5.1% and 5.5% in fiscal years (FYs) 2025/2026 and 2026/2027, respectively.

4-Fitch Solutions forecasts Egypt's gas production to rebound 8% in 2026

Fitch Solutions forecasts that Egypt’s natural gas production will rebound in 2026 by 8% year on year (YoY) to about 46.6 billion cubic meters, up from an estimated 43.1 billion cubic meters in 2025, when output declined, the Cabinet's Media Center announced.

5-Egypt boosts investment incentives for new industrial activities

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly issued Decree No. 503 of 2026, expanding the range of industrial activities eligible for investment incentives and linking them to the geographical areas classified under sectors A and B.

6-CIB gets CBE's nod to begin due diligence on HSBC’s retail banking portfolio

The Commercial International Bank Egypt (CIB) has received clearance from the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) to start due diligence on HSBC’s retail banking portfolio.

7-TMG Holding promoted to FTSE Russell Mid Cap Index

Talaat Moustafa Group (TMG Holding) has been promoted from the Small Cap segment to the Mid Cap segment within the FTSE Russell Global Equity Index Series (GEIS).

8-EFG Hermes rolls out 5 mutual funds on ONE App for retail investors

EFG Hermes has launched five mutual funds on the EFG Hermes ONE app, allowing users to access a selection of products handled by its team for the first time.

9-ECA approves Al Baraka Bank Egypt-led acquisition of Amlak Finance Egypt

The Egyptian Competition Authority (ECA) has approved a request by Al Baraka Bank Egypt, Al Baraka Capital, and Tanfeez Real Estate Investment to acquire Amlak Finance Egypt.

10-Egypt, Scatec discuss expanding renewable energy cooperation

Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Mohamed Farid met with Terje Pilskog, CEO of Norwegian renewable energy company Scatec, to discuss strengthening cooperation in renewable energy and green investment.