Gulf News- UAE mega-insurer ADNIC to pay SR499m for 51% in Saudi entity

Dubai: In a landmark deal, the UAE insurance giant ADNIC is taking a 51 per cent stake in the Allianz Saudi Fransi Cooperative Insurance Company in a major push into Saudi Arabia. The value of the stake deal is SR499 million.

The Saudi insurance sector is primed for further growth, and making it a lucrative place to be for new entrants. Already, the Kingdom’s banking space has attracted UAE heavyweights, and insurance is thus seen as a natural progression.

“The transaction fits fundamentally within the core of the company’s (ADNIC) strategic pillars as it will allow it to further extend its presence into the Saudi Arabian market, deliver and optimize operating model efficiencies,” the UAE insurer said in a statement.

Through these 3 years, the UAE insurance sector has seen multiple deals happen, as it pushes for consolidation in a market that is loaded with opportunities - but with a fair share of challenges too. But even with all the deals happening, ADNIC's SR499 million play into Saudi Arabia would rank at the very top.

ADNIC will be buying the stake from Allianz Europe, Allianz France and Allianz MENA Holding (Bermuda) Limited. (The Allianz exit follows similar patterns of big European insurers downsizing or going out in full from their Middle East exposures. AXA was a recent one.)

The transaction is conditional on 'obtaining a number of customary regulatory waivers and consents'.

ADNIC's acquiring the 51% stake in Allianz Saudi Fransi Cooperative Insurance Co. for SR499 million is the largest insurance deal in the Middle East in recent years. It reflects the growing importance of the Saudi insurance sector, which is expected to grow to around $10.4 billion by 2026. Investors reacted positively to the acquisition news, the stock jumped nearly 3% on ADX - and trading at its highest level in over a year...

-Vijay Valecha Chief Investment Officer at Century Financial Source:
Gulf News