Gulf Islamic Investments Finalizes Investment in GEMS Education
Gulf Islamic Investments (GII), a leading Shari’ah-compliant global alternative investment group based in the UAE, has finalized its investment in GEMS Education through a consortium led by Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. This strategic investment aims to support GEMS in maintaining and expanding its leadership as the largest private K-12 education provider in the Middle East.
GII's completion of this investment marks its second transaction with Brookfield this year. In April 2024, GII sold its majority shareholding in a UAE logistics business to Brookfield for an undisclosed amount. With over US$4.5 billion of assets under management (AUM), GII continues to extend its investment record in the UAE and the wider regional economy.
GEMS Education, headquartered in Dubai, has been providing educational services in the region for over six decades. By September 2024, GEMS expects to welcome more than 140,000 students across its 46 schools in the UAE and Qatar, including two new schools opening in Dubai and Abu Dhabi this August.
Pankaj Gupta, co-founder and co-CEO of GII, emphasized the importance of education in the UAE's economic growth, stating, "Our investment in GEMS will allow the company to supercharge the next phase of its growth plans." Mohammed Alhassan, co-founder and co-CEO of GII, added, "We are very excited to develop our relationship with GEMS Education, the Gulf’s largest provider of private schooling."
Sunny Varkey, Founder of GEMS, remarked on the significant growth of GEMS, "These investments demonstrate the breadth of the business, the educational quality, and the critical infrastructure that we deliver collectively for the UAE."
