Gulf Islamic Investments (GII) recently announced its investment in a consortium led by Brookfield Asset Management to purchase a stake in Gems Education, a prominent Dubai-based education provider. This investment is aimed at supporting Gems in maintaining and expanding its position as the largest private K-12 education provider in the Middle East. GII, with over $4.5 billion in assets under management, highlighted that this investment marks the second transaction with Brookfield this year, following the sale of its majority shareholding in its UAE logistics business to Brookfield in April 2024.
Gems Education is known as the largest private school operator in the Middle East, with plans to welcome over 140,000 students across its 46 schools in the UAE and Qatar by September 2024. The company is also set to open two new schools in Dubai and Abu Dhabi in August. Sunny Varkey, the founder of Gems Education, emphasized the significant growth the company has experienced in recent years, solidifying its reputation as a respected education provider globally. He highlighted the quality of education, critical infrastructure, and the overall impact Gems has had on the UAE’s educational landscape.
Pankaj Gupta, GII’s co-founder, and co-CEO expressed confidence in the UAE’s educational foundation and the support it receives from the leadership. He mentioned that the investment in Gems Education will contribute to accelerating the company’s growth plans for the future. Additionally, Mohammed Alhassan, GII’s co-founder, and co-CEO pointed out the group’s track record of successful investments across various sectors in the GCC region, including education, healthcare, logistics, food, and real estate. The collaboration with Brookfield in the education sector further strengthens GII’s portfolio and commitment to the development of the region.
The UAE’s economic growth is closely tied to its educational infrastructure, supported by the belief that ‘nothing is impossible’. The investment in Gems Education reflects GII’s strategic approach to investing in sectors that play a crucial role in the country’s development. With Gems Education’s ambitious growth plans and the partnership with Brookfield, the company is poised to enhance its offerings and reach a wider student population in the region. This aligns with the vision of both GII and Brookfield to contribute positively to the education sector and overall economic advancement in the Middle East. By leveraging their combined expertise and resources, the consortium aims to drive innovation and excellence in education across the region.
