Moody's Acquires Majority Stake in Egyptian Credit Rating Agency MERIS

Moody's intends to acquire a majority equity stake in Middle East Rating & Investors Service (MERIS) in Egypt, subject to regulatory approvals. The transaction extends Moody's presence in the Middle East and Africa and reaffirms its commitment to contribute to local capital markets. MERIS will continue to operate independently while developing its own rating methodologies and maintaining a separate management team. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Moody’s Corporation (NYSE: MCO) has announced plans to acquire a majority equity stake in Middle East Rating & Investors Service (MERIS), a domestic credit rating agency in Egypt. This move aims to deepen Moody’s presence in the Middle East and Africa, reaffirming its commitment to local capital markets. The transaction, subject to regulatory approvals, is set to further strengthen the longstanding partnership between the two companies.

MERIS, established in 2003 as a joint venture between Moody's and FinBi, has been a pioneer in Egypt’s domestic capital markets. It provides national-scale credit ratings for various sectors, including financial institutions, corporates, and structured finance transactions. With the proposed acquisition, Moody’s aims to share its global best practices with MERIS, enhancing the latter’s offerings and contributing to the growth of Egypt’s financial markets.

“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,” said Monica Merli, Chief Operating Officer of Moody’s Ratings. “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.”

Dr. Amr Hassanein, Managing Director and Founder of MERIS, expressed enthusiasm about the potential of the transaction. “Today marks an important milestone in MERIS’s history,” he said. “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.”

Following the acquisition, MERIS will continue to operate as an independent affiliate of Moody’s, developing its own rating methodologies and maintaining a separate management team. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Moody’s Corporation, known for its data, insights, and innovative technologies, operates in over 40 countries and employs approximately 16,000 people. The company helps customers develop a holistic view of their world and unlock opportunities in a globally interconnected risk landscape.

[1] https://www.morningstar.com/news/business-wire/20250825968647/moodys-to-increase-ownership-in-meris-ratings-deepening-presence-in-the-middle-east-and-africa