CFI BECOMES THE OFFICIAL ONLINE TRADING PARTNER OF MI CAPE TOWN, STRENGTHENING GLOBAL REACH THROUGH CRICKET'S MASSIVE AUDIENCE
Rashad Iskandrni
Dubai, United Arab Emirates, – December 17th, 2024 – CFI Financial Group, a leading global provider of online trading services, is thrilled to announce its Associate Partnership as the Official Online Trading Partner of MI Cape Town, one of the most prestigious teams in world cricket. This collaboration marks another milestone in CFI's strategic expansion following a year of remarkable achievements, including surpassing $1 trillion in trading volumes and launching operations in South Africa.
This sponsorship underscores CFI’s commitment to expanding its global footprint and engaging with diverse audiences through cricket, the second most-watched sport globally with over 2.5 billion fans. The collaboration includes CFI’s logo featured on the right chest of MI Cape Town’s jersey, in-stadia branding, and opportunities to deliver unique client experiences, including exclusive promotional content and meet-and-greet events with MI Cape Town’s star players.
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“Our sponsorship of MI Cape Town as the Official Online Trading Partner represents a significant step in CFI’s strategic growth journey,” said Hisham Mansour, Co-Founder and Managing Director at CFI. “Following the launch of our South African operations, this collaboration not only strengthens our presence but also aligns us with the excellence and star power of a global cricket brand. MI Cape Town’s popularity extends beyond South Africa, offering valuable visibility to fans both locally and globally.”
MI Cape Town operates under the umbrella of MI Global, a global cricketing force, with five T20 teams spanning three continents, four countries including both men and women with teams in franchise T20 cricket in India, South Africa, UAE and USA. MI Global’s reputation for excellence and innovation mirrors CFI’s values, making this sponsorship a natural fit.
“This collaboration is an incredible opportunity to build on CFI’s successes over the past year,” said Ziad Melhem, Chief Marketing Officer at CFI. “Cricket’s unparalleled reach and MI Cape Town’s status as a global brand allow us to amplify our visibility not just to fans in South Africa but also in influential markets like the UAE and beyond. By engaging with a passionate fanbase, we aim to enhance brand awareness and reaffirm our commitment to superior trading experiences globally.”
Cape Town, a hub for commerce, tourism, and sports, provides the ideal backdrop for this sponsorship. MI Cape Town’s roster, featuring global cricket icons such as Kagiso Rabada, Ben Stokes, and Rashid Khan, among other international players, ensures that CFI will receive international exposure, connecting with millions of cricket fans in South Africa and across borders.
ENDS
For further information, please contact Brazen MENA:
E:cfi@brazenmena.com
About CFI: CFI Financial Group is MENA's leading online trading broker with over 25 years of experience, boasting the highest number of regulated entities and regional offices, including key locations such as London, Dubai, Larnaca, Beirut, Amman, and Cairo. Specializing in online trading services across equities, currencies, and commodities, CFI offers highly competitive trading conditions, including zero-pip spreads and no commission fees. The company is a pioneer in AI-driven trading tools and applications. The group supports elite sports through partnerships with organizations like AC Milan and FIBA WASL. It proudly names Seven-Time Formula One™ World Champion Sir Lewis Hamilton as their Global Brand Ambassador, reflecting a shared commitment to excellence and innovation. The group is also partnered with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), demonstrating its commitment to promoting local culture and fostering community engagement. The group actively participates in various Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives in the communities where it operates.
مواضيع ذات صلة
Audi Capital Announces Strategic Partnership with azakaw
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – 21 October 2025
Audi Capital has announced a strategic partnership with azakaw, part of j.awan & partners group, selecting it as its client onboarding and compliance platform. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in advancing Audi Capital’s operational efficiency and consolidating its regulatory framework in Saudi Arabia, with azakaw practitioner-built workflows configured from day one to align with Capital Market Authority (CMA) regulations and supervisory expectations.
Clients can now complete onboarding through Audi Capital’s website by securely and seamlessly submitting the required information and documents digitally. The solution applies automated KYC/KYB checks and AML screening (sanctions/PEP, Adverse Media), with alerts triaged to the Audi Capital team for timely review and response. Continuous monitoring throughout the client lifecycle further strengthens compliance and risk management.
azakaw, a bespoke, practitioner-led RegTech solution, has been fully customized to Audi Capital’s requirements and integrates seamlessly with ERP, CRM and trading platforms. Delivered as a fully white-labelled solution, it streamlines the client journey while aligning with regulatory and operational requirements.
This is not a one-off one-size fits all implementation. Audi Capital has proactively informed the CMA of its adoption of azakaw, reflecting both transparency and foresight in its regulatory practices. Over the next three months, the firm will expand the rollout to include azakaw’s Corporate Compliance module, further enhancing governance, reinforcing the control environment, and strengthening regulatory reporting in line with Saudi regulations.
Daniel Asmar, CEO of Audi Capital, said:
“At Audi Capital, our priority is to provide clients with a fast, transparent and secure experience. Our partnership with azakaw allowed us to reinforce our compliance framework while accelerating our digital transformation journey. This collaboration reflects our commitment to innovation, regulatory excellence and building long-term trust with our clients and stakeholders in Saudi Arabia.”
Zohaib Awan, Group Business Development Director at j.awan & partners, commented:
We focus on understanding our clients’ operational challenges, regulatory obligations, and strategic objectives. We map the bottlenecks, risks, and desired outcomes up front, then design the solution. By go-live, azakaw is configured to the client’s policies, risk appetite, and systems, turning compliance from a checkpoint into an operating advantage. With Audi Capital, we translated CMA requirements into automated, auditable workflows that accelerate onboarding, reduce manual handoffs, and strengthen oversight. Our approach is partnership, not procurement: solve the right challenges, measure the impact, then scale.
Cristiano Machado, CTO and Deputy CEO of azakaw, added:
“Compliance is often perceived as reactive or bureaucratic. That mindset is outdated, if managed effectively compliance becomes a competitive edge. The faster you onboard clients, the faster you go to market. The better you monitor clients’ transactions, the more confidence you build with regulatory authorities and partners. At azakaw, we operationalize compliance as a driver of growth and Audi Capital embraces this vision.”
Audi Capital’s adoption of azakaw reflects a new mindset in financial services: compliance is no longer seen as an obstacle but as a catalyst for growth.
منذ 11 ساعة . News
Quality management is a top priority, but inconsistent standards are eroding margins and fuelling costly rework.
PlanRadar Report Reveals How Inconsistent QA/QC Standards Drain Construction Profits Across the GCC
Dubai, UAE, 20th October 2025 — A new study by PlanRadar, a leading platform for digital documentation, communication, and reporting in construction, facility management, and real estate projects, reveals a clear contradiction at the heart of quality management.
More than seven in ten construction companies across global markets, including the GCC, begin QA/QC processes from day one — yet over three-quarters (77%) still report inconsistencies between sites and trades. The result: profit margins shrink, disputes rise, and warranty risks climb.
Ibrahim Imam, Co-Founder and CEO of PlanRadar, commented, “QA/QC is a top priority in the construction industry — but the challenge is consistency. Our research shows that when every site and trade follow a different playbook, quality outcomes become a matter of chance and costs become unpredictable. The path forward is clear: unified, enforceable QA/QC standards that create visibility, reduce disputes, and protect margins.”
Key Findings
The GCC perspective
Across the GCC, these findings mirror real-world industry conditions. In Saudi Arabia, strict compliance under the Saudi Building Code continues to drive construction reform, with respondents ranking regulatory requirements as their top QA/QC focus. Meanwhile, in the United Arab Emirates, where large-scale urban developments demand seamless cross-trade coordination, companies identified documentation quality and subcontractor management as major challenges.
Despite ongoing regulatory progress, inconsistency still costs the region millions. Firms without QA/QC standards are over 50% more likely to face warranty exposure (54% vs. 35%) and 23% more likely to encounter subcontractor disputes (43% vs. 35%). The report confirms that improving QA/QC consistency could significantly strengthen profitability and accountability in GCC construction projects.
Profitability through consistency
The data underscores the financial benefits of standardisation. Companies that apply QA/QC systematically are 28% more likely to report profit margins above 3% (60% vs. 47%) and almost twice as likely to keep rework below 5% of total project budgets (56% vs. 37%).
This advantage often comes from eliminating variability: when approvals, documentation, and evidence are captured consistently across every site, leaders gain clearer oversight and can prevent small issues from escalating into major setbacks.
Quality gaps also trigger widespread disruption — two in three companies (67%) report project delays due to QA/QC failures. Among those able to measure the impact, six in ten said quality issues add more than two weeks to schedules, while nearly one in four face delays exceeding a month. When QA/QC processes fail, 76% of firms absorb higher labour and overtime costs, 50%experience strained client relationships, and nearly one-third incur direct contractual penalties.
From Compliance to Profit Strategy
The report shows that QA/QC consistency is no longer just a compliance requirement — it is a profit strategy. Firms that establish standardised, enforceable processes across all trades achieve greater cost visibility, reduce rework, and deliver more predictable outcomes.
However, enforcement remains a major challenge. More than half of surveyed companies admit to lacking a clear or enforceable subcontractor QA/QC framework, while the use of a single, purpose-built digital platform remains uncommon.
PlanRadar: Enabling Consistency Through Technology
QA/QC workflows directly into daily operations. Using SiteView360° reality capture, teams can conduct simple site walks with helmet-mounted cameras to record 360° visual progress while QA/QC data is captured simultaneously — ensuring every build stage is backed by both structured documentation and visual proof.
This integration gives project leaders in the GCC and beyond a practical, scalable way to reduce rework, accelerate approvals, and enhance accountability across all project phases.
For more detailed insights, the full report and dataset are available here
Download the full Construction QA/QC Impact Report
- ENDS -
About PlanRadar
PlanRadar is a leading platform for digital documentation, communication, and reporting in construction, facility management, and real estate projects. With over 170,000 users across more than 75 countries, PlanRadar enables customers to work more efficiently, enhance quality, and achieve full project transparency.
The platform is available in 25+ languages across iOS, Android, and web. Headquartered in Vienna, Austria, PlanRadar operates globally with offices across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific.
Contact: info@planradar.com
Website: www.planradar.com
منذ يوم . News
Valerion launches VisionMaster Max projector in the Middle East at GITEX GLOBAL 2025
Debut of Valerion’s next-generation home theater experience, set against a Middle East home cinema market projected to reach nearly USD23 billion by 2030
Dubai, UAE – October 17, 2025: Valerion, the premium home cinema sub-brand of AWOL Vision and a leading specialist in projection technology, unveiled the regional launch of its flagship VisionMaster Max projector duringGITEX GLOBAL 2025 in Dubai World Trade Centre, introducing a next-generation immersive home theater experience to the Middle East.
The debut comes at a time of strong market growth, with the home theater segment in the UAE expected to rise from USD 217.54 million in 2024 to USD 293.39 million by 2032, according to Markets and Data.
On a global scale, Mordor Intelligence projects the home theater systems market to expand from USD 10.45 billion in 2025 to USD 16.40 billion by 2030, while Data Bridge Market Research forecasts the Middle East professional audio-visual market to reach USD 22.7 billion by 2030.
Visitors of the leading technology show were introduced to a custom-built home theater, designed to demonstrate how Valerion’s smart projection technology is redefining the way customers experience entertainment, connection and everyday living.
The VisionMaster Max represents Valerion’s most advanced innovation yet, delivering cinema-grade projection tailored to the needs of modern Middle Eastern homes.
Powered by RGB triple laser and Valerion’s proprietary Enhanced Black Level (EBL™) system, the 4K projector achieves ultra-deep blacks, lifelike color accuracy, and exceptional brightness of 3500 ISO Lumens—capable of thriving in the sunlit living spaces common across the region.
Setting a new benchmark for display innovation, the projector debuts the world’s first Anti-RBE (Rainbow Effect) Technology, redefining the visual experience in DLP projection. This pioneering advancement virtually eliminates 99.99% of rainbow effects, delivering a flawlessly natural viewing experience.
By processing colour sequences with unprecedented speed and precision, the Anti-RBE Technology ensures images appear seamless and true-to-life, establishing a new standard for clarity and visual comfort.
Thanks to its interchangeable glass lenses and variable throw ratio (0.9–2.0:1), the VisionMaster Max adapts seamlessly to virtually any living space in the region. It combines WiFi 6E and Gigabit Ethernet connectivity with built-in Google TV, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, IMAX Enhanced support, and AI-driven scene optimization, delivering not only cinema-grade visuals but also a seamlessly connected smart living experience. Full compatibility with Apple HomeKit, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and Control4 ensures effortless integration into today’s smart homes.
Beyond visuals, the VisionMaster Max reflects a new chapter in how regional households connect and share experiences. Whether it’s family movie night or immersive gaming projected for gatherings, Valerion adapts intuitively to the cultural and lifestyle moments that define Middle Eastern homes.
Commenting on the MEA launch, Andy Zhao, Founder and CEO of Valerion, said: “For customers across the Middle East, the home is more than a place to live rather than a venue where culture, connection, and community come together. With the launch of VisionMaster Max home theater projector, Valerion is delivering a vision of what tomorrow’s living can look like today.”
In addition to the new VisionMaster Max, Valerion’s booth features the brand’s complete lineup of cutting-edge projectors, including the VisionMaster Pro 2, VisionMaster Pro, StreamMaster Plus 2, and StreamMaster Plus. The AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro ultra-short-throw projector is also showcased, offering visitors an immersive demonstration of its exceptional brightness and cinematic performance.
Beyond home theater, Valerion’s booth features a dedicated gaming zone where visitors can experience the brand’s high-performance projectors in fast-paced, interactive settings. The display highlights their ultra-low latency, vivid color accuracy, and seamless motion handling for an exceptionally immersive gaming experience.
Valerion enters the Middle East on the back of a record-breaking journey where the brand is establishing itself as a new standard in home theater innovation for global and regional markets alike.
Availability
The VisionMaster Max is now available for preorder via Valerion’s official website at www.valerion.com from September 29 through November 2, with a special preorder offer of $1,000 off the MSRP of $4,999 for a deposit of just $100. The VisionMaster Max will be officially available on Amazon Middle East starting November 2025.
منذ 4 أيام . News
Rotana Media and “Scene” Launch a Strategic Partnership to Redefine the Future of Short Drama and Open New Horizons for Youth-Focused Digital Content in the Arab World.
In a pioneering move for the Arab entertainment industry, Rotana Media and Scene have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a strategic partnership aimed at producing and showcasing modern, youth-oriented content tailored for Arab and Gulf audiences.
The partnership includes the co-production of a collection of Micro Dramas short-form series introduced for the first time in the Arab world, as well as the adaptation of select Rotana series into vertical (mobile-friendly) formats, aligning with the new digital viewing habits of today’s audiences.
This groundbreaking collaboration marks a new era in Arabic drama production, enhancing its connection with younger generations while opening innovative opportunities for regional creative talent.
Commenting on the agreement, Mrs. Nada Makhzoum, CEO of Rotana Channels, one of Rotana Media’s entities, stated: “Rotana has always been at the forefront of delivering content that evolves with its audience and platforms. Our partnership with Scene extends this vision by empowering Arab creativity through new, innovative storytelling formats that reach viewers wherever they are, in the way they prefer to watch.”
From his side, Mr. Sayed Finianos, Founder and CEO of Scene, added:
“This strategic collaboration with Rotana represents a milestone partnership. Rotana’s deep expertise and solid position in the Arab media landscape bring tremendous value to this agreement. Together, we aim to introduce a new generation of short-form dramas for Arab youth, combining high production quality with the spirit of the digital age.”
About Rotana Media:
Rotana Media is one of the leading media groups in the Arab world, encompassing Rotana Channels and Rotana Studios under its umbrella. Rotana Media combines a legacy of innovation and creativity in delivering diverse content spanning cinema, drama, music, and entertainment programs. It owns the largest Arabic film library with over 2,300 titles and operates a network of 16 leading channels, including Rotana Khalijia, the first private Saudi channel. Rotana Khalijia has established itself as a platform that reflects the pulse of Saudi and Gulf society, offering a rich and immersive viewing experience that embodies Rotana’s leadership in the Arab entertainment industry.
منذ 4 أيام . News
6 Real Estate Trends Booming in Dubai Right Now
Dubai’s real estate market continues to defy global slowdowns, driven by population growth, foreign investment, off-plan sales, and a reshaped post-pandemic lifestyle.
According to the Dubai Land Department (DLD), the city attracted approximately 94,700 investors in the first half of 2025, a 26% increase from the same period last year. Of these, 59,000 were new investors (+22% YoY), with UAE residents making up 45% of this new cohort, underscoring strong domestic appetite.
In H1 2025, the residential sector recorded transactions worth AED 262.1 billion, which is 36.4% in value compared to H1 2024. Against this backdrop, Amaal’s research identified trends that are shaping Dubai’s property landscape in 2025.
Beneath the headline figures lie nuanced shifts in how and where people want to live, and what developers are prioritizing. Here are six key trends currently booming across Dubai’s real estate landscape, supported by data and market observations from H1 2025.
1. Off-plan sales are dominating the market
Off-plan transactions have surged to represent more than 70% of all property sales in H1 2025. Buyers are betting on future growth, flexible payment plans, and price appreciation, particularly in areas like Mohammed Bin Rashid City, Dubai South, and Dubai Hills Estate.
This marks a decisive shift from the resale-driven market of previous years and indicates trust in long-term development and infrastructure expansion.
2. Suburban living is on the rise
Increasing rent prices in core areas like Downtown, Business Bay, and Dubai Marina are pushing residents outward. Zones such as Jumeirah Village Circle, Dubai Silicon Oasis, and Dubai South are gaining popularity for their affordability, villa communities, and access to new schools, malls, and highways.
Dubai’s population, now over 3 million, is rapidly spilling beyond the traditional business zones, turning former “commuter areas” into lifestyle hubs.
3. Wellness amenities are a must-have, not a bonus
Developers are going beyond gyms and pools. There’s a visible uptick in demand for wellness-focused features such as meditation decks, green walking paths, co-working lounges, hydrotherapy pools, and even pet parks.
With more residents working from home or hybrid setups, these features are now considered essential to buyer and tenant decisions, especially in mid- to premium-tier housing.
4. Sustainability is a deal-maker
Green building certifications like LEED, solar integration, and energy-efficient materials are making their way from luxury projects to mid-market offerings. According to recent analysis from Amaal, sustainability credentials are now influencing buyer decisions in new transactions, especially among international buyers and ESG-conscious investors.
Even in rental markets, developments with smart cooling and utility optimization are seeing faster take-up and lower churn.
5. Mixed-use developments are reshaping urban life
People want to live, work, shop, and socialize without leaving their neighborhood. As a result, developers are designing vertical villages, buildings or blocks that combine residences with coworking zones, supermarkets, cafes, childcare, and wellness hubs. These mixed-use residential towers aim to offer a holistic lifestyle with accessible public spaces, retail, and entertainment.
6. Tech-driven property search and investment
From AI-enabled real estate platforms to tokenized property investment, PropTech is reshaping how people buy, rent, and manage homes in Dubai. Smart platforms now offer predictive pricing, AR/VR home tours, and blockchain-based transaction systems.
International buyers, particularly from Europe and Asia, are leveraging tech platforms to remotely shortlist, negotiate, and purchase Dubai properties, driving global liquidity into the city.
The market is evolving toward community, livability, digital convenience, and environmental value. Buyers, tenants, and investors are understanding the trends to stay ahead of this dynamic real estate landscape.
منذ 4 أيام . News
SonicWall and Digital Planets forge strategic partnership to reinforce cybersecurity defences in the Middle East
During GITEX Global 2025
SonicWall and Digital Planets forge strategic partnership to reinforce cybersecurity defences in the Middle East
Global cybercrime damages are projected to reach USD 10.5 trillion annually in 2025
UNITED Arab EMIRATES, 15 October 2025: SonicWall, a global leader in managed cybersecurity solutions, and Digital Planets, a subsidiary of DP Group leading in integrated digital solutions and services, signed a strategic partnership agreement aimed at enhancing digital defence capabilities across Middle Eastern markets.
Under the partnership, Digital Planets has become a SonicWall Gold Partner, providing advanced cybersecurity solutions across the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), and the Arab Republic of Egypt. The agreement was signed during GITEX Global 2025, the world’s largest technology event, held at the Dubai World Trade Centre, featuring over 6,800 participatingtechnology companies. This year’s edition of the event focuses on artificial intelligence (AI) and biotechnology (Bio-Tech), underscoring GITEX’s role as a global platform for shaping the future of the digital economy.
Accelerating Growth in Cybersecurity Threats
The partnership comes at a criticaljuncture,which experiences unprecedented growth in the regional cybersecurity market driven by rapid digital expansion and increasing threat complexity.
Egypt recorded more than 20,000 cyberattacksin the first half of 2025, targeting key communications and critical infrastructure sectors. Global reports also highlight that, this year, cybercrime damages are projected to reach USD 10.5 trillion annually worldwide.
Furthermore, the cybersecurity market in the Middle East and Africa is expected to become the second-largest globally, with a compound annual growth rate of 16.2 per cent in the upcoming years.
Strengthening Partner Networks Through the SecureFirst Program
Digital Planets has officially joined SonicWall’s SecureFirst Partner Program, enhancing its cybersecurity portfolio and enabling clients to access award-winning solutions in advanced protection, smart monitoring, and predictive threat defence.
Dr. Ahmed Hanafy, Founder and CEO of DP Group, said, “Our partnership with SonicWall marks a strategic milestone in line with our vision to empower secure digital transformation for our clients across the region. The signing came during GITEX Global, reflecting the convergence of innovation and real-life challenges. Cybersecurity remains to be a top priority for organizations today.”
Dr.Hanafy further added, “By integrating SonicWall’s advanced solutions with our regional expertise, we will be able to deliver a suite of comprehensive and reliable security offerings that ensure robust cyber resilience for organisations in Egypt, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia, while protecting their vital digital assets.”
Eng. Mohamed Abdallah, Regional Director for Middle East, Turkey, and Africa (META) at SonicWall, affirmed, “This partnership reflects SonicWall’s commitment to supporting its regional partners and equipping them with the latest security technologies. Digital Planets’ client-oriented and professional approach aligns with our philosophy of placing partners at the core of the business ecosystem.”
He further stated, “Our goal is to facilitate secure digital transformation and assist organisations of all sizes transition safely to cloud and hybrid environments amidst the rising threats in the age of AI, a key focus of this year’s GITEXedition.”
Middle East Remains a Primary Target
Statistics show that the Middle East and Africa ranked third globally in the number of cyberattacks in 2024, with a growing number of state-sponsored threats directed at GCC countries and Egypt. This underscores the significance of the partnership between SonicWall and Digital Planets as a vital step to bolster regional digital security.
منذ 6 أيام . News