While global headlines fixate on macro volatility and regional tensions, the underlying data tells a completely different story for Gulf technology.

In this episode of Majlis & Markets, we sit down with Forbes Top Venture Capitalist Hasan Haider, Founder and Managing Partner at PlusVC, to unpack his contrarian investment thesis. Hasan lays out exactly how the GCC startup ecosystem, spearheaded by an unprecedented liquidity boom in Saudi Arabia, has structurally decoupled from broader regional conflicts.

We look deeply into the realities facing Sharia-compliant startups and the distinct innovation landscape of Islamic fintech. Hasan also tackles the taboo topics facing the ecosystem head-on, addressing the harsh criticisms surrounding the regional lack of a proven exit track record and how founders must realistically navigate failure.

Finally, we look outward to draw parallels from global success stories like Revolut, the structural scale of SpaceX, and the strategic implications of tech giants like OpenAI acquiring media networks like the TBPN show. If you are an institutional allocator, a growth-stage founder, or an angel investor navigating the current Middle Eastern capital crunch, this conversation provides the definitive playbook for deploying risk capital.

🤖 EPISODE BRIEFING

• How is geopolitical risk affecting venture capital deployment in the MENA region? While the Iran War and macro instability has created a short-term capital contraction from Western funds, domestic sovereign wealth and regional venture capital are moving aggressively. The GCC market is experiencing a structural decoupling, where domestic regulatory reforms and internal liquidity shield tech infrastructure from external geopolitical shocks.
• What are the primary structural challenges for Islamic fintech and Sharia-compliant startups? The main challenge lies in transitioning from niche alternative banking into a core driver of regional financial infrastructure. By blending automated AI asset validation with authentic Sharia compliance, these platforms are moving past regional boundaries to capture massive, unserved retail and commercial liquidity pools across the GCC.
• Is the criticism regarding the lack of a startup exit track record in MENA valid? Historically yes, but the infrastructure is shifting rapidly. Saudi Arabia’s capital markets have transformed via deep regulatory restructuring, creating an accessible pipeline for corporate IPOs, robust secondary markets, and late-stage tech exits that reduce reliance on Western exchanges.

📖 STRATEGIC REGIONAL READING

• PlusVC Targets 40 Startup Deals Amid Growing Saudi Pipeline (Bloomberg): https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-12-03/plus-vc-targets-40-startup-deals-in-2026-as-saudi-pipeline-grows
• Why Saudi Arabia is an IPO Magnet: https://gfmag.com/capital-raising-corporate-finance/saudi-arabia-ipo-magnet/

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Is the multi-billion dollar private credit market a global financial crisis in the making, or is the GCC region building a bulletproof alternative capital haven?

In this episode of Majlis & Markets, we sit down with Sharif Eid, Portfolio Manager at Amwal Capital Partners, for a comprehensive look at the realities of alternative lending, macro liquidity risks, and the massive capital migration toward the Middle East.

🔴 PART 1: THE GLOBAL PRIVATE CREDIT DEBATE (00:00 - 27:02)
We break down the global macro picture, tackling the fierce media debate surrounding "shadow banking." Sharif shares his insider take on global asset quality, true default risks, and how Business Development Companies (BDCs) are reshaping corporate finance. We look past the headlines and market panics involving players like Blue Owl and BlackRock to analyse whether unregulated mid-market lending poses a real systemic threat to global financial stability.

🔴 PART 2: THE GCC INVESTMENT BOOM & TOKENISATION (27:03 - End)
We pivot to the MENA region to examine the structural shift turning the Gulf into an onshore direct-lending powerhouse amidst regional geopolitical events. We dive into Abu Dhabi’s rapid evolution as a private credit capital via the ADGM’s specialised fund frameworks, and look at the legacy of trust and data transparency in the region.

We also dissect Saudi Arabia’s dominance as the region's ultimate IPO magnet under Vision 2030, and how cutting-edge asset tokenisation and digital platforms are fundamentally transforming regional Sukuk structures and private market alpha in 2026.

💡 TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE:
• Why mainstream financial media demonises private credit.
• Is private credit genuinely just shadow banking in disguise?
• The truth about redemption panics, liquidity constraints, and default rates.
• How Abu Dhabi and the ADGM are attracting international credit managers.
• Why Saudi Arabia remains the primary IPO destination in the Middle East.
• How asset tokenisation and blockchain technology are transforming Sukuk markets.

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🎧 RECOMMENDED EPISODES & RELATED LISTENINGS:
• Is Shariah-Compliant Tech Ready? (Web Summit Qatar 2026): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTA0D4v5RtA

• How Saudi Arabia Is Betting on AI (George Huang, SenseTime): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5M0j05KQ_i4

• $62T in One Room: Insights from ADFW 2025 (Ted Koenig, Monroe Capital): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-4dASWizj8

• Episode 8: Exploring the MENA Capital Markets Landscape (Sharif Eid): https://majlisandmarkets.buzzsprout.com/1907033/episodes/14698193-episode-8-exploring-the-mena-capital-markets-landscape

• Inside the Rise of Gulf Private Capital: https://majlisandmarkets.buzzsprout.com/1907033/episodes/15141935-episode-21-gulf-investment-boom-inside-the-rise-of-private-capital

• Exploring the GCC Private Credit Boom: https://majlisandmarkets.buzzsprout.com/1907033/episodes/15487197-episode-29-exploring-the-gcc-private-credit-boom

• Fund Focus: The GCC Investment Boom: https://majlisandmarkets.buzzsprout.com/1907033/episodes/16955383-episode-58-fund-focus-the-gcc-investment-boom

🔗 ARTICLES & RESOURCES MENTIONED:
• Institutional Investor – Abu Dhabi's Onshore Push: https://www.institutionalinvestor.com/article/abu-dhabi-moves-become-gulfs-private-credit-capital
• Global Finance – Saudi Arabia: The Gulf's Ultimate IPO Magnet: https://gfmag.com/capital-raising-corporate-finance/saudi-arabia-ipo-magnet/
• Amwal Capital Partners: https://amwalcp.com/

👥 CONNECT WITH THE GUEST:
• Connect with Sharif Eid on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharif-eid-22056a19/

#PrivateCredit #ShadowBanking #BlackRock #BlueOwlCapital #AssetTokenisation #GlobalMacro #GCCMarkets #SaudiArabia #AbuDhabi #Sukuk #MajlisAndMarkets #FinancePodcast

As the 2026 Iran War escalates, the Middle East faces a defining moment of economic reckoning. While the world watches the missiles, the markets are watching the financial lifelines of Cairo, Beirut, and the Gulf. Expert Angus Blair (Signet Institute) returns to Majlis & Markets to discuss whether the regional economy has finally reached its breaking point.

The instability of 2026 has created a $7 billion revenue void in the Suez Canal, but the ripples extend far beyond Egypt’s borders. We move past the headlines to explore "what they missed": the true impact of the Strait of Hormuz closure and the strategic shift toward Chinese credit lines.

In this episode, we take a deep dive into the Iran factor, dissecting how Tehran's regional strategy is reshaping trade routes and risk premiums. We also explore the volatile Syria-Israel relationship, examining how the friction on that border serves as a barometer for wider regional kinetic escalation.

We also assess the GCC’s economic resilience amidst these war clouds and ask the hard questions about Lebanon: What are the realistic pathways for Lebanon’s banking recovery in 2026?

Whether you are an investor navigating MENA markets or a follower of global geopolitics, this episode breaks down what these shifting alliances mean for global capital and market stability.

• Suez Canal 2026: How does a 60% drop in maritime traffic rewrite Egypt’s national budget?
• The Iran Factor: How is the current conflict altering the long-term trade dynamics of the Middle East?
• Syria-Israel Friction: How does the tension between Damascus and Tel Aviv impact regional investment risk?
• Lebanon’s Recovery: What are the realistic pathways for Lebanon’s banking recovery in 2026?
• Market Impact: What does this regional upheaval mean for MENA market volatility and capital flight?

🎧 Related Listening: The Egypt Deep-Dive Series

To understand the full context of Egypt’s economic journey, explore our previous episodes:

• Ep 13 | Unpacking Egypt’s Economy (feat. Angus Blair): Listen Here
• Ep 31 | Pyramids of Pressure – Egypt’s Economic Balance: Listen Here
• Ep 35 | Egypt’s Fintech Focus – Growth and Challenges: Listen Here

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