ADQ to invest $1bn in LuLu Group for expansion in Egypt
ADQ, an Abu Dhabi-based holding company with a portfolio of major enterprises spanning key sectors of the emirate’s diversified economy, has entered into a nonbinding agreement with LuLu International Holdings ( LIHL), a hypermarket and supermarket chain in the Middle East, paving the way for an investment supporting LIHL’s expansion of operations in Egypt of up to $1 billion.
This is over and above the $1 billion ADQ had earlier this year invested in LuLu Group.
The agreement was signed by Mohamed Hassan Al-Suwaidi, chief executive of ADQ, and Yusuff Ali M.A., chairman of LuLu Group.
Under the terms of the agreement, ADQ and LIHL will work to collectively develop up to 30 hypermarkets and 100 express mini market stores as well as state- ofthe-art logistics hubs, distribution and fulfillment centers to strengthen the retailer’s e- commerce business across Egypt. It is estimated that this expansion will create up to 12,000 jobs, fostering economic and social growth throughout the country.
Al- Suwaidi said: “Our agreement with LuLu International Holdings reflects our wider commitment to investing in Egypt, following the announcement of our joint investment platform with the Sovereign
Fund of Egypt agreed late last year. The phased rollout of multiple retail stores would provide significant socioeconomic benefits to local communities across the country, as well as bolster the quality and range of products available to Egyptian consumers. We are pleased to be able to give further support to the cooperation that already exists between the UAE and Egypt.”
Yusuff Ali said: “Egypt is a very important growth market for us, and we see great potential for our future business there. Our agreement with ADQ will better position us to continue our rapid expansion of our operations across Egypt. I take this opportunity to thank the leadership of Abu Dhabi and ADQ for their support to expand LuLu’s operations in Egypt, which will immensely benefit the country and its citizens.”
In November 2019, the launch of a joint strategic investment platform worth $20 billion, to be funded equally by ADQ and the Sovereign Fund of Egypt, was announced. The platform aims to establish joint strategic investment projects, as well as specialized funds and investment tools in several key sectors such as food and agriculture, health care, mobility and logistics, and utilities.