Lebanon-born music streaming service Anghami will establish its global headquarters and a research and development centre at Abu Dhabi’s tech accelerator Hub71.
Anghami, which has more than 55 million users, will receive financial and non-financial incentives for its move through Abu Dhabi Investment Office's Innovation Programme, part of the emirate's Ghadan 21 initiative.
“Abu Dhabi is rapidly emerging as a go-to destination for innovation-focused companies, a place where ambitious businesses can pursue digital transformation in a stable, enabling and supportive environment,” Tariq Bin Hendi, director general of ADIO, said.
“We are committed to providing support for technology companies, recognising that progress in this area unlocks opportunities across other sectors by bringing the fundamental capabilities and infrastructure that all industries will benefit from. We welcome big thinkers aligned with Abu Dhabi’s vision to advance innovation.”
Dubai investment banking firm Shuaa Capital invested an undisclosed amount as part of a new funding round in Anghami earlier this month.
The music streaming app, which started with an investment of $200,000 from its two founders in 2012, has raised more than $40 million from investors including venture capital firm Middle East Venture Partners and Samena Capital. It has a catalogue comprising more than 50 million songs and has offices in Beirut, Dubai, Cairo and Riyadh.
By setting up its global HQ and R&D centre in Abu Dhabi, Anghami will benefit from access to capital, local talent and an R&D support network as it focuses on research and technical development to advance its proprietary in-house technology, the company said.
Abu Dhabi is rapidly emerging as a go-to destination for innovation-focused companies
“As we seek to tap into the considerable growth opportunities for Anghami, Abu Dhabi was a natural choice for our new global headquarters and R&D centre,” Eddy Maroun, co-founder of Anghami, said.
The music streaming app will help to nurture talent through mentorship initiatives within the local start-up community and offer fellowships for Emirati computer science and engineering graduates, the statement added.
ADIO's innovation programme targets businesses in high-growth areas including ICT, financial services, tourism, AgTech, health services and biopharma, among others.
Anghami competes with the likes of Swedish audio streaming giant Spotify and with Apple's streaming music service. Deezer, a French music streaming platform backed by Saudi Arabian businessman Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, also entered the market in 2018.
In 2019, Anghami delivered 10 billion music streams, the company said.
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New UK refugee system
- A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
- Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
- A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
- To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
- Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
- Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds
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Day 4, Dubai Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Lahiru Gamage appeared to have been hard done by when he had his dismissal of Sami Aslam chalked off for a no-ball. Replays suggested he had not overstepped. No matter. Two balls later, the exact same combination – Gamage the bowler and Kusal Mendis at second slip – combined again to send Aslam back.
Stat of the day Haris Sohail took three wickets for one run in the only over he bowled, to end the Sri Lanka second innings in a hurry. That was as many as he had managed in total in his 10-year, 58-match first-class career to date. It was also the first time a bowler had taken three wickets having bowled just one over in an innings in Tests.
The verdict Just 119 more and with five wickets remaining seems like a perfectly attainable target for Pakistan. Factor in the fact the pitch is worn, is turning prodigiously, and that Sri Lanka’s seam bowlers have also been finding the strip to their liking, it is apparent the task is still a tough one. Still, though, thanks to Asad Shafiq and Sarfraz Ahmed, it is possible.
The lowdown
Badla
Rating: 2.5/5
Produced by: Red Chillies, Azure Entertainment
Director: Sujoy Ghosh
Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Taapsee Pannu, Amrita Singh, Tony Luke
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
'Ghostbusters: From Beyond'
Director: Jason Reitman
Starring: Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard, Mckenna Grace
Rating: 2/5
