Taaleem Holdings, one of the largest premium K-12 education providers in the UAE, has signed two strategic financing agreements that will enable a collective value of AED 968 million, to support its growth and expansion plans with Emirates Islamic, one of the leading Islamic financial institutions in the UAE.
The first financing agreement secures AED 730 million to support 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. The acquisition strategically positions Taaleem to expand into the rapidly growing early learning sector, complementing its existing K-12 portfolio.
The second agreement, valued at AED 238 million, will enable financing for the construction of a new, state-of-the-art school, to be operated under the world-renowned Harrow name. Taaleem holds exclusive rights to operate Harrow Schools across the GCC region and the financing by Emirates Islamic will support Taaleem’s entry into the super-premium education market aimed at addressing the growing demand for innovative and future-ready learning environments.
These agreements reinforce Emirates Islamic’s commitment to enabling impactful investments in education as a foundation to building a knowledge-based, sustainable economy, aligned with the National Strategy of Higher Education 2030.
Alan Williamson, CEO at 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 not only strengthening our capacity to invest in the future but also reaffirming our mission to deliver world-class education. With the momentum of our acquisitions and new school developments, we are amplifying our impact across the UAE and GCC, shaping and creating opportunities for generations to come.”
Mohammad Kamran Wajid, Deputy Chief Executive Officer at Emirates Islamic, remarked: “We are proud to sign two financing agreements with Taaleem Holding to enhance and support its expansion strategies. Education is a key driver of economic growth and fosters global competitiveness. Taaleem is raising the bar with respect to super-premium and early years education. By supporting investments into the sector, Emirates Islamic is committed to making a lasting impact and fostering a knowledge-based economy in line with national objectives.”
Emirates Islamic is dedicated to pioneering Shari’ah-compliant products and services to meet the growing demand for ethical banking solutions. In 2024, the bank entered a joint agreement with Taaleem for a groundbreaking partnership that includes Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) linked financing facility, marking a significant milestone in advancing environmental goals in the UAE.
