Top 10 Viral News to Check This Weekend

Updated 1/9/2026 9:00:00 AM

Arab Finance: The first week of January closed with several notable economic indicators, most prominently Egypt’s tourism and remittance performance. The country welcomed around 19 million tourists in 2025, while remittances from Egyptians working abroad rose by 42.5% YoY during the first 11 months of 2025.

Here are the top 10 viral news stories of the week, from January 4th to 8th:

1-Egypt welcomes 19M tourists in 2025

Egypt welcomed around 19 million tourists in 2025, recording a 21% growth rate compared to 2024.

2-Remittances from Egyptians abroad leap 42.5% YoY in 11 months

Remittances from Egyptians working abroad increased by 42.5% year on year (YoY) to about $37.5 billion in the first 11 months of 2025.

3-FRA launches 1st digital payment network in non-banking financial sector

The Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA) has launched the first integrated digital payments network in the non-banking financial sector’s history.

4-Egypt PMI remains above 50 in December despite easing momentum

The headline seasonally adjusted Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) of Egypt declined to 50.2 in December 2025 from 51.1 in November, yet still above the 50.0 no-change mark for the second consecutive month.

5-SCZONE posts EGP 6.25B revenues till November

The Suez Canal Economic Zone Authority (SCZONE) achieved total revenues of EGP 6.25 billion during the July-November 2025 period, an annual hike of 55% from EGP 4 billion.

6-Egypt, Syria ink MoUs on natural gas supply, energy technical support

The Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources inked two memoranda of understanding to provide technical expertise to the Syrian energy sector.

7-Türkiye's Eroglu Moda Tekstil to build $5.6M factory in SCZONE

Waleid Gamal El-Dien, Chairman of the General Authority for the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE), inked a contract with Turkish company Eroglu Moda Tekstil San Ve Tic S.A. to establish a ready-made garments factory in Qantara West Industrial Zone.

8-Dana Gas receives $50M from Egypt to support drilling program

Dana Gas has received a $50 million (AED 184 million) payment from the Egyptian government, significantly reducing overdue receivables.

9-Elsewedy Electric wins $51M power supply contract in Angola

Elsewedy Electric, a Cairo-based integrated energy and infrastructure solutions provider, has been awarded a $51 million contract in Angola.

10-Al-Ahly Pharos book-runs EGP 3.52B Capital Securitization issuance backed by Tasaheel receivables

Al-Ahly Pharos Investment Banking, the investment banking arm of the National Bank of Egypt (NBE), acted as financial advisor, transaction lead arranger, underwriter, and book-runner for Capital Securitization Company’s fourth securitization issuance worth EGP 3.52 billion under its 12th program.