Shark Tank Egypt investor sells entire Ajwa stake for $6 million

Egyptian shipping magnate and Shark Tank Egypt investor Ahmed Tarek Khalil has sold his entire holding in Ajwa for Food Industries Egypt, disposing of an 8.34% stake for EGP 301.65 million (about $6 million). The sale comprised roughly 1.68 million shares at an average price of EGP 180.097 each, a disclosure filed with the Egyptian Exchange shows. Conversion in the filing used a rate of EGP 49.89 to the dollar.

"Neither Khalil nor Ajwa has said why he sold," the filing notes, leaving the strategic rationale for the exit unconfirmed.

Deal mechanics and market context

Khalil’s disposal of 1.68 million shares follows a close price for Ajwa at EGP 180.08, a marginal decline of 0.07% on the day. The disclosed numbers imply about 20 million shares in issue and place Ajwa’s market capitalisation near EGP 3.6 billion (around $72 million) based on the same calculation.

• Stake sold: 8.34% of Ajwa for Food Industries Egypt
• Consideration: EGP 301.65 million (≈ $6 million)
• Shares disposed: ~1.68 million
• Average sale price per share: EGP 180.097
• Exchange conversion used: EGP 49.89 = $1

Ajwa for Food Industries Egypt, established in 1985 and affiliated with Ajwa Group for Food Industries Holding Company of Saudi Arabia, manufactures, refines, packs and exports edible oils and ghee. Its product range includes shortening, margarine, butter, bulk oils, fatty acids and stearin. The company has been active this year in corporate moves, backing a EGP 9 million capital increase at a subsidiary in July and participating in the establishment of a new company in June.

Khalil’s broader business interests and investment pattern

Khalil built his fortune in maritime services after founding Allianz Marine Services in 2012 and expanding it into the fourth-largest marine logistics provider to the oil and gas sector, operating more than 170 vessels across 22 countries. He also chairs Allianz Middle East Ship Management and YANZ, which supplies marine logistics to petroleum operators.

Beyond shipping, Khalil has cultivated a public profile as an investor on Shark Tank Egypt and as an active acquirer and backer across sectors. His first business was a fish farm he founded at 16. He has gained a reputation for "buying during market downturns and for backing younger founders." In 2024 he acquired two school chains and announced a $100 million plan to open 1,000 medical clinics across Egypt under a healthcare venture called Tamouh.

His venture investing has extended into media and startups: he participated in a follow-on round for The Potcast Productions, an Egyptian podcast company, alongside Innovative Media Productions, the media group behind Shark Tank Egypt. Food and financial sectors had been cited as strategic targets for investment, which makes this complete exit from Ajwa a notable change of course.

Outlook

With Khalil exiting Ajwa entirely, attention will turn to how he redeploys proceeds amid an expanding portfolio that spans schools, healthcare clinics and media startups. The absence of an official explanation from either Khalil or Ajwa leaves market observers to infer whether the sale represents portfolio rebalancing, capital allocation toward his Tamouh healthcare plan, or other strategic priorities. Ajwa’s recent corporate activity and the company’s standing as an affiliate of a Saudi holding group suggest the edible oils maker will continue to pursue operational and capital initiatives independent of Khalil’s divestment.