Latest news with #MariamAlmheiri


The National
17-06-2025
- Business
- The National
UAE can make AI as important as internet, Emirati official says
Mariam Almheiri, head of International Affairs at the UAE Presidential Court, said the country can help to make artificial intelligence a strategic utility like the internet through its partnerships, regulatory framework and energy infrastructure. 'We tick the boxes everywhere,' she said during the Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum in Washington on Tuesday. Ms Almheiri made the comments while taking part in a panel discussion focused on financing energy and infrastructure in the technology age. 'With the recent visit President [Donald] Trump to the UAE announcing the AI cluster, if you think about what that is, it's up to 5 gigawatts of optimised AI data centre power,' she said. Ms Almheiri added that the first phase of that cluster was going to be online by 2026, and pointed out that the UAE has plenty of ways to power it, along with other AI energy facilities. 'If you just think of what that's going to do to take this transformation that we need, we need a transformation in the energy side as well," she said. Among the projects the UAE has begun in recent years are the 1.2 gigawatt Noor Abu Dhabi solar power plant, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park and the 5.6 gigawatt Barakah nuclear power plant. Speaking during a separate panel session, Emirates Nuclear Energy Company chief executive Mohamed Al Hammadi said that the Barakah plant provides one quarter of electricity in the UAE, a 'huge energy transition' in the past five years. Over the past decade, the UAE − the Arab world's second largest economy − has been open about its desire to be an AI front-runner as it diversifies its economy away from oil. The country's efforts have resulted in the establishment of start-ups as well as partnerships and investments from industry leaders including Microsoft, Nvidia and OpenAI. Ms Almheiri said the UAE has 'built the bridges' to help with its energy transformation, aided by the partnerships it has formed. 'To move the needle on any transformation when it comes to AI, to make AI strategic utility something like the internet, we need these partnerships and we need the ingredients.' Major planned investments between the US and UAE were also announced during Mr Trump's visit to the UAE last month, including a new 5GW UAE-US AI Campus in Abu Dhabi. The US Commerce Department said the AI campus would be home to large and small companies that could 'leverage the capacity for regional compute with the ability to serve the Global South'.


Al Etihad
19-05-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
UAE: EPointZero signs 1 GWh deal with Enercap by Apex Energy
19 May 2025 19:57 ABU DHABI (WAM)EPointZero, the decarbonisation arm of 2PointZero, a global investment platform, on Monday announced the strategic purchase of a 1 GWh battery system from UAE-based Enercap by Apex Energy, the supercap energy storage transaction represents a bold move to fortify global energy transition frameworks and scale resilient infrastructure to accelerate a net-zero agreement was signed at the Make it in the Emirates 2025 by Mariam Almheiri, Group CEO of 2PointZero and Ahmed Amer Omar, Managing Director of Apex Investment PSC and agreement signing was witnessed by Mohamed Hesham, Group CIO of 2PointZero, Waseem Ashraf Qureshi, CEO-CTO & Inventor Enercap by Apex Energy and Khalifah Khoury Chairman, Enercap by Apex Energy, reflecting a strong institutional alignment and a shared commitment to advancing clean energy innovation in the UAE and industry leading energy storage system is set for deployment across electrical grids in the UAE, accelerating the energy transition and the pathway to Net proprietary storage solution, based on supercapacitor innovation, offers the world's first non-chemical, electrostatic energy storage system that functions with traits of capacitor-based capabilities that can now behave like batteries. This technology is the first of its kind to be launched globally on an industrial on the transaction, Mariam Almheiri said, 'This investment marks an important step in advancing our mission to catalyse the global transition to low-carbon energy. At EPointZero, we are committed to enabling next-generation infrastructure that is not only cleaner, but also smarter and more resilient. Partnering with Enercap allows us to embed cutting-edge storage capabilities into energy systems that must be scalable. This is how we drive tangible progress—by aligning breakthrough innovation with long-term sustainability goals.'Mohamed Hesham added, ''This partnership represents a pivotal opportunity in aligning our portfolio with emerging technologies and energy solutions. By leveraging Enercap's offering, we position ourselves to deliver long-term decarbonising solutions to the energy sector while staying ahead in the evolving landscape. This is not just a financial commitment, but a strategic milestone that aligns perfectly with the UAE's vision for innovation and sustainable growth.''Ahmed Amer Omer said, ''We are pleased to collaborate with EPointZero on this milestone initiative that brings advanced energy storage solutions to the forefront of global sustainability efforts with technology designed, developed and manufactured in the UAE. Our technology is designed to meet the growing need for efficient, scalable, and environmentally responsible storage infrastructure.' The transaction underscores the UAE's continuous leadership in responsible investments, reaffirming the commitment to fostering future economies through strategic innovation. Make it in the Emirates Continue full coverage


Zawya
20-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
2PointZero acquires Maseera, pledging $1bln to advance financial inclusion in emerging markets
2PointZero, a transformational global investment platform and a subsidiary of International Holding Company (IHC), has announced the strategic acquisition of Cairo-based Maseera Holding for Financial Investments (Maseera). As part of this transaction, 2PointZero will launch a new Abu Dhabi-based entity under the Maseera Holding name. Maseera, which serves low- and middle-income individuals as well as micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), is evolving into a global, AI-driven financial services provider. This move reinforces 2PointZero's commitment to expanding financial inclusion, particularly in underserved economies. Catering to low- and middle-income individuals as well as micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), Maseera is being developed into a global, AI-powered, digital-first financial services provider. By offering a comprehensive suite of financial services that are accessible, fast, affordable, and adaptable, Maseera aims to bridge the financial gap and empower communities. The company envisions building a transcontinental platform, with majority-owned operations spanning multiple countries, initially targeting key markets across Asia and Africa. Recognising the transformative potential of this venture, 2PointZero plans to invest US$1 billion into Maseera over the coming years. By seamlessly integrating Maseera's expertise with 2PointZero's cutting-edge technology and AI capabilities, this strategic partnership will drive innovation, unlock new value, and empower underserved populations with the financial tools needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving economic landscape. Additionally, this investment will further enhance 2PointZero's dynamic value network, reinforcing its position as a key driver of financial inclusion and sustainable growth. Mariam Almheiri, Group CEO of 2PointZero, emphasised the strategic importance of the acquisition, adding, 'Bringing Maseera into the 2PointZero ecosystem is a significant step forward in our mission to drive financial inclusion and empower underserved communities. By combining Maseera's client-centric approach with our technological expertise and global reach, we are enhancing our dynamic value network and delivering innovative financial solutions to markets where we operate. This partnership embodies our commitment to driving groundbreaking advancements through every investment, with the aim of creating a more sustainable and inclusive society.' Amro Abouesh, Founder and CEO of Maseera Holding, stated, 'The principal value running through Maseera is empathy. We believe that empathy is key to innovation, and transparency is the cornerstone of credibility. By always standing on the clients' side, we ensure that our services truly meet the needs of those we serve, hence improving their financial resilience. Furthermore, with experienced backing from a global investor like 2PointZero, we will be able to maximise the value of data and focus our platform on those most underserved corners of emerging economies. This client-centric approach allows us to tailor our offerings to the unique requirements of our target audience, providing them with the financial tools and resources they need to thrive.'


Zawya
20-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
2PointZero acquires the customer-focused microfinance platform Maseera
Abu Dhabi, UAE: 2PointZero, a transformational global investment platform and a subsidiary of International Holding Company (IHC), announces the strategic acquisition of Cairo-based Maseera Holding for Financial Investments ("Maseera"). As part of this transaction, 2PointZero will launch a new Abu Dhabi-based entity under the Maseera Holding name. Maseera, which serves low- and middle-income individuals as well as micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), is evolving into a global, AI-driven financial services provider. This move reinforces 2PointZero's commitment to expanding financial inclusion, particularly in underserved economies. Catering to low- and middle-income individuals as well as micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), Maseera is being developed into a global, AI-powered, digital-first financial services provider. By offering a comprehensive suite of financial services that are accessible, fast, affordable, and adaptable, Maseera aims to bridge the financial gap and empower communities. The company envisions building a transcontinental platform, with majority-owned operations spanning multiple countries, initially targeting key markets across Asia and Africa. Recognizing the transformative potential of this venture, 2PointZero plans to invest US$1 billion into Maseera over the coming years. By seamlessly integrating Maseera's expertise with 2PointZero's cutting-edge technology and AI capabilities, this strategic partnership will drive innovation, unlock new value, and empower underserved populations with the financial tools needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving economic landscape. Additionally, this investment will further enhance 2PointZero's dynamic value network, reinforcing its position as a key driver of financial inclusion and sustainable growth. H.E. Mariam Almheiri, Group CEO of 2PointZero, emphasized the strategic importance of the acquisition, adding that: 'Bringing Maseera into the 2PointZero ecosystem is a significant step forward in our mission to drive financial inclusion and empower underserved communities. By combining Maseera's client-centric approach with our technological expertise and global reach, we are enhancing our dynamic value network and delivering innovative financial solutions to markets where we operate. This partnership embodies our commitment to driving groundbreaking advancements through every investment, with the aim of creating a more sustainable and inclusive society.' Amro Abouesh, Founder and CEO of Maseera Holding, stated: 'The principal value running through Maseera is empathy. We believe that empathy is key to innovation, and transparency is the cornerstone of credibility. By always standing on the clients' side, we ensure that our services truly meet the needs of those we serve, hence improving their financial resilience. Furthermore, with experienced backing from a global investor like 2PointZero, we will be able to maximize the value of data and focus our platform on those most underserved corners of emerging economies. This client-centric approach allows us to tailor our offerings to the unique requirements of our target audience, providing them with the financial tools and resources they need to thrive.' About 2PointZero: 2PointZero, a subsidiary of IHC (International Holding Company) was founded in 2023 as a transformational investment platform focused on making strategic investments in emerging technologies and future-sustaining businesses to create a globally diversified and resilient portfolio. 2PointZero brings together a suite of innovative and established UAE subsidiaries, including Chimera Investments, Lunate Capital, Beltone, Sagasse and International Resources Holding (IRH) under one transformative umbrella, placing 2PointZero at the forefront of key sectors including financial services, consumer goods, mining resources, technology and energy. Our Dynamic Value Network is sector agnostic, allowing it to connect capabilities across our portfolio to unlock new pathways for growth and create measurable value for investors while empowering communities, fostering sustainable ecosystems, and driving groundbreaking technological advancements. About Maseera Holding: Maseera Holding for Financial Investments is a digital marketplace financial service provider (FSP) and one-stop shop for low and middle-income individuals and MSMEs, offering a comprehensive range of financial services and products that are easy to access, fast to process, affordable, fit-to-purpose, and agile enough to adapt to ever-changing circumstances. Maseera believes that empathy is key to innovation, and transparency is the cornerstone of credibility. By maximizing the value of data and always standing on the clients' side, we ensure that our services truly meet the needs of those we serve. This client-centric approach allows us to tailor our offerings to the unique requirements of our target audience, providing them with the financial tools and resources they need to thrive. About International Holding Company (IHC): Established in 1999, IHC has become the most valuable holding company in the Middle East and one of world's largest investment firms, with a market capitalization of AED 892 billion (USD 243 billion). Since then, it has transformed to represent a new generation of investors. IHC's commitment to sustainability, innovation, and economic diversification spans over 1,000 subsidiaries, driving growth across industries like Asset Management, Healthcare, Real Estate, Financial Services, IT, and more. IHC continually looks beyond the stand-alone value of its assets for opportunities, stepping outside of traditional approaches and artificial barriers to unlock opportunities across its portfolio, enabling sector-agnostic Dynamic Value Networks and creating results that are often much greater than the sum of their parts. At IHC, we take our responsibility to shareholders, customers, and employees seriously. Our commitment to responsible investment ensures that we create sustainable value by staying connected to the communities we serve, making a positive difference with every investment. Media Contacts press@