Qatar Investment Authority Invests $180 million in TechMet

The Qatari flag is seen at a park near Doha Corniche, in Doha, Qatar February 17, 2018. REUTERS/Ibraheem al Omari/File Photo
The Qatari flag is seen at a park near Doha Corniche, in Doha, Qatar February 17, 2018. REUTERS/Ibraheem al Omari/File Photo
TT
20

Qatar Investment Authority Invests $180 million in TechMet

The Qatari flag is seen at a park near Doha Corniche, in Doha, Qatar February 17, 2018. REUTERS/Ibraheem al Omari/File Photo
The Qatari flag is seen at a park near Doha Corniche, in Doha, Qatar February 17, 2018. REUTERS/Ibraheem al Omari/File Photo

Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) announced on Wednesday an initial $180 million investment in TechMet, a company focused on building businesses across the critical minerals value chain, from extraction and processing to refining and recycling.

This investment aligns with QIA’s ambition to invest in a broad range of areas in the industrial sectors such as critical minerals, which are required to advance the clean energy transition and to help address the growing demand in the global market for sustainable energy solutions, QIA said in a statement.

“We are delighted to partner with TechMet to invest in the responsible sourcing of critical minerals, which are crucial to the global green transition,” said Chief Investment Officer of Americas at QIA Mohammed Al-Sowaidi.

“This investment builds on QIA’s theme of diversified energy transition and critical minerals investments,” he added.

For his part, TechMet Founder, Chairman and CEO, Brian Menell, said: “QIA’s investment further highlights TechMet’s position as a leading global critical minerals investment company.”

In a statement, TechMet said the funds will be used to develop both its existing assets and to continue to build its portfolio with strategic projects that scale production and refining of its target critical minerals, which include lithium, nickel, cobalt and rare earths.

The announcement sees TechMet meet its $300 million fundraising target, adding to a follow-on investment from S2G Ventures, bringing their total commitment to $50 million; and an additional $50 million from the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC).

Now valued at well over $1 billion, TechMet is one of the largest private investors in critical minerals supply chains.



Saudi Arabia’s PIF Announces New Leadership Appointments

 Aerial view of the Saudi capital showing the Public Investment Fund (PIF) tower (SPA) 
 Aerial view of the Saudi capital showing the Public Investment Fund (PIF) tower (SPA) 
TT
20

Saudi Arabia’s PIF Announces New Leadership Appointments

 Aerial view of the Saudi capital showing the Public Investment Fund (PIF) tower (SPA) 
 Aerial view of the Saudi capital showing the Public Investment Fund (PIF) tower (SPA) 

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) announced on Thursday a series of new leadership moves, including the appointment of Saad Alkroud as Head of the Local Real Estate Investment Division and Maram Al Johani as Acting Chief of Staff and Secretary General to the Fund’s Board of Directors.

In his new role, Alkroud will be responsible for developing PIF’s local real estate and infrastructure investment portfolio, which includes the giga-projects and several other strategic developments.

Alkroud joined PIF in 2016 as Head of Stakeholder Management, overseeing PIF Board and Committees affairs and international relations, as well as managing relationships with Saudi entities to deliver strategic initiatives and objectives.

In 2021, he was appointed as Chief of Staff, and in 2022 he took on additional responsibilities as Secretary General to the PIF Board of Directors.

In that position, he supervised corporate strategy and business plans, the PIF Project Management Office, including the establishment of new companies, and the affairs of PIF’s portfolio companies, stakeholders and committees.

He also serves on the boards of several PIF companies.

Alkroud’s appointment came after Eng. Aiman AlMudaifer has been named Acting CEO of NEOM since November 2024. AlMudaifer is also a board member of several PIF portfolio companies.

AlMudaifer has led the Local Real Estate Investment Division since 2018, helping to drive significant growth and transformation.

As of 2023, the portfolio included more than 35 real estate companies, with investments in Saudi real estate and infrastructure continuing to deliver sustainable returns.

The advancement of and investment in landmark developments and infrastructure projects have helped position PIF at the forefront of Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification, including the creation of tourism and cultural destinations.

PIF also announced that Maram Al Johani has been assigned as Acting Chief of Staff and appointed as Secretary General to the PIF Board of Directors.

She will lead organization-wide strategic planning, data and committees governance, and the project management office.

In addition, she will oversee portfolio company affairs and manage international and local stakeholders.

Al Johani joined PIF in 2017 after working for PricewaterhouseCoopers. She brings extensive experience to both roles, having served as PIF’s Head of Data and Committees Governance and Advisory Department since 2021.

PIF said these appointments reinforce the Fund’s strong leadership foundation and support the delivery of its unique mandate and long-term strategy, within the organization and across its portfolio of more than 220 companies, to create opportunities for the global economy and drive the economic transformation of Saudi Arabia.