Taaleem Holdings secures AED 968 million financing agreements with Emirates Islamic to drive education expansion
Taaleem Holdings PJSC, one of the UAE’s largest premium K-12 education providers, has signed two strategic financing agreements with Emirates Islamic, collectively valued at AED 968 million, to support its ambitious growth and expansion strategy.
The first agreement, worth AED 730 million, will fund Taaleem’s recent acquisition of a majority stake in Kids First Group, a leading early childhood education provider operating 34 premium nurseries across the UAE and Qatar. This acquisition marks Taaleem’s entry into the fast-growing early learning sector, complementing its established K-12 portfolio.
The second financing agreement, valued at AED 238 million, will support the construction of a state-of-the-art Harrow School in Abu Dhabi. Taaleem holds exclusive rights to operate Harrow Schools across the GCC, and this new development will introduce a super-premium education offering to meet the rising demand for innovative, future-ready learning environments in the region.
Reinforcing commitment to education and national vision
The agreements highlight Emirates Islamic’s commitment to supporting impactful investments in education, a cornerstone of the UAE’s knowledge-based economy. The financing is also aligned with the National Strategy of Higher Education 2030, which aims to build a sustainable and globally competitive education ecosystem.
Leadership perspectives
Alan Williamson, CEO of Taaleem Holdings PJSC, said:
“This partnership with Emirates Islamic represents a powerful alignment of values and vision. By joining forces with a pioneer in ethical and Shari’ah-compliant finance, we are strengthening our capacity to invest in the future while reaffirming our mission to deliver world-class education. With our acquisitions and new school developments, we are amplifying our impact across the UAE and GCC, creating opportunities for generations to come.”
Mohammad Kamran Wajid, Deputy CEO at Emirates Islamic, added:
“We are proud to sign these agreements with Taaleem Holdings to support its expansion strategies. Education is a key driver of economic growth and global competitiveness. Taaleem is setting new benchmarks in super-premium and early years education. By backing such initiatives, Emirates Islamic remains committed to fostering a knowledge-based economy in line with the nation’s objectives.”
Building on a strong partnership
This latest agreement follows the landmark ESG-linked financing facility signed between Emirates Islamic and Taaleem in 2024, underlining both organisations’ commitment to advancing sustainable and responsible investments in the UAE.
