Samuel Wendel

United States

Senior Market Research Analyst at Al-Monitor

Market Research Analyst for Al-Monitor covering MENA

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Articles

Al-Monitor FutureVerse: How chip tariffs could jolt Middle East’s tech ambitions

1 week ago | al-monitor.com | Samuel Wendel

Stock turmoilAs major markets in the Middle East recovered some recent losses fueled by tariff turmoil, key local tech stocks have also trended back upward. For instance, between April 8 and April 14, UAE food delivery app Talabat’s shares rose 6% while Presight AI gained 4.5%. A new e-commerce giant? Saudi Arabia-based B2B marketplace Sary has merged with Bangladesh's ShopUp to form SILQ Group. The new venture is backed by $110 million in funding, including from Peter Thiel's Valar Ventures.
AL-Monitor FutureVerse: AI superpowers clash

1 month ago | al-monitor.com | Samuel Wendel

Welcome to the first edition of the Al-Monitor FutureVerse. I’m Sam Wendel, Al-Monitor’s senior market research analyst covering all things artificial intelligence, tech and innovation in the Middle East and North Africa. Every Tuesday, I’ll bring you new analysis, data and key stories that explore cutting-edge developments in the region at a time when emerging technology is fueling transformative change. To get this free newsletter in your inbox each week, sign up here.
Race for historic Middle East Olympics is on post-Paris

Sep 13, 2024 | al-monitor.com | Samuel Wendel

All news, events, memos, reports, and analysis, and access all 10 of our newsletters. Learn more $14 monthly or $100 annually ($8.33/month) OR Access 1 free article per month when you sign up. Learn more. By signing up, you agree to Al-Monitor’s Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. Already have an account? Log in
Can Saudi Arabia afford giga-projects with oil prices under $75 per barrel?

Sep 8, 2024 | al-monitor.com | Jennifer Gnana |Samuel Wendel

DUBAI/WASHINGTON — Saudi Arabia is set to face fresh challenges in financing its giga-projects as oil prices remain below its desired levels to meet spending commitments, particularly those aligned with its Vision 2030 policy. The International Monetary Fund said in its Article IV review on Wednesday that Saudi Arabia is set to see a current account deficitover the next five years as low oil prices continue to bite into the country's economy.
Is NFL inching closer to welcoming Gulf investors?

Sep 7, 2024 | al-monitor.com | Samuel Wendel

All news, events, memos, reports, and analysis, and access all 10 of our newsletters. Learn more $14 monthly or $100 annually ($8.33/month) OR Access 1 free article per month when you sign up. Learn more. By signing up, you agree to Al-Monitor’s Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. Already have an account? Log in
Saudi Arabia's oil revenue falls to three-year low as OPEC+ cuts bite

Aug 23, 2024 | al-monitor.com | Jennifer Gnana |Samuel Wendel

Saudi Arabia's oil revenue fell to a three-year low in June as the world's largest oil-exporting country sees sales of its main commodity squeezed by ongoing OPEC+ cuts. Saudi Arabia earned 66.314 billion Saudi riyals ($17.683 billion) from the sale of its oil in world markets in June 2024, according to data from the General Authority for Statistics. The revenue earned was 12.6% lower than in May and is the lowest since August 2021, data showed.
Oman’s sleepy tech sector showing signs of promise

Aug 19, 2024 | al-monitor.com | Samuel Wendel

At a challenging moment for Middle East startups navigating an investment downturn in 2024, glimmers of a new breakthrough could be emerging in a quiet corner of the region’s tech sector: Oman. In July the Omani carbon removal startup 44.01 announced that it had raised $37 million from investors including global players like Amazon’s Climate Pledge Fund and Siemens alongside local backers including the UAE’s Shorooq Partners.
Global brands still can’t shake Israel boycotts hitting Starbucks, McDonald’s

Aug 17, 2024 | al-monitor.com | Samuel Wendel

Middle East turmoil continued to haunt the financial reports of key global brands during the summer 2024 earnings season, setting up a lost year of sales in a broader region of roughly 500 million consumers. Q2 2024 saw players like McDonald’s and Starbucks citing ongoing “headwinds” or the “impact of the war” in the Middle East as they delivered disappointing overall results.
Netflix in crosshairs as Middle East streaming competition mounts

Aug 13, 2024 | al-monitor.com | Samuel Wendel

To: Al-Monitor Readers From: Samuel WendelSenior Market Research Analyst, Al-Monitor Date: Aug. 14, 2024 Bottom Line: If you hadn’t heard, the streaming wars are over and Netflix won — this proclamation has circulated recently after the streaming giant outshined rivals like Disney, Warner and Paramount in 2023. That may be the case in the United States, but the Middle East’s streaming wars are far from over. On Aug.
Tech investment slump reaching critical stage for cash strapped Middle East startups

Jul 16, 2024 | al-monitor.com | Samuel Wendel |Francisco Serrano

Skip to main content Independent, trusted coverage of the Middle East Independent, trusted coverage of the Middle East Memo Al-Monitor Pro Members Samuel Wendel Senior Market Research Analyst, Al-Monitor July 16, 2024 Tech startup investment continues sliding in the Middle East, with funding across the first six months of 2024 receding back to levels not seen since before local digital economies boomed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Regional startups raised $116 million in June, bringing the...