Moody's to Increase Ownership in Egyptian Credit Rating Agency MERIS Ratings

Moody's plans to increase its ownership in MERIS Ratings, a domestic credit rating agency in Egypt. The transaction terms are undisclosed, extending the partnership between the companies and deepening Moody's presence in the Egyptian market.

Moody’s Corporation (NYSE: MCO) has announced plans to secure a majority equity stake in Middle East Rating & Investors Service (MERIS), a domestic credit rating agency in Egypt. The move aims to extend the longstanding partnership between the two companies and further enhance Moody’s presence in the Middle East and Africa.

The transaction, which is subject to regulatory approvals, will see Moody’s increase its ownership in MERIS. Following the acquisition, MERIS will continue to operate as an independent affiliate of Moody’s, developing its own rating methodologies, issuing its own credit ratings, and maintaining a separate management team. The terms of the transaction remain undisclosed.

MERIS, established in 2003 as a joint venture between Moody’s and FinBi, a local Egyptian consulting firm, has been a pioneer in Egypt's domestic capital markets. It provides national-scale credit ratings for a diverse range of sectors, including financial institutions, corporates, and structured finance transactions.

“Today marks an important milestone in MERIS’s history,” said Dr. Amr Hassanein, Managing Director and Founder of MERIS. “By deepening our association with Moody’s global network and leveraging its expertise alongside our established local presence, we can further enhance our offerings and contribute to the continued growth and development of Egypt’s financial markets.”

Monica Merli, Chief Operating Officer of Moody’s Ratings, expressed excitement about the partnership, stating, “We are excited to strengthen our relationship with MERIS, which has been an important provider of domestic credit ratings in Egypt for over two decades. We look forward to further sharing Moody’s global best practices with MERIS as its experienced team and trusted local insights continue to serve market participants in Egypt.”

Moody’s presence in the Middle East and Africa is expected to benefit from this strategic move, as it aligns with the company’s goal of contributing to the ongoing development of local capital markets across the globe.

References:
1. [1] https://www.stocktitan.net/news/MCO/moody-s-to-increase-ownership-in-meris-ratings-deepening-presence-in-c0xkjcwh28x0.html
2. [2] https://www.morningstar.com/news/business-wire/20250825968647/moodys-to-increase-ownership-in-meris-ratings-deepening-presence-in-the-middle-east-and-africa
3. [3] https://seekingalpha.com/news/4488704-moodys-plans-to-raise-ownership-in-meris-ratings