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Cyprus CPI Rises in August 2025 Despite Annual Inflation Decline

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

September 4, 2025

The recent state statistical service report indicates a notable increase in Cyprus’ Consumer Price Index (CPI) for August 2025, which recorded a rise to 117.04 units from 116.65 units in July 2025. This monthly increase of 0.39 points comes as inflation over the same period year-on-year has registered a decline of 0.9 percent.

Sector-Specific Trends And Their Implications

Examining key economic categories, services experienced the highest year-on-year surge, registering a 3.6 percent increase. This uptick contrasts with significant price declines in energy sectors, where electricity prices dropped by 11.6 percent and petroleum products fell by 7.3 percent. Notably, agricultural products saw the most substantial month-on-month change, spiking by 4.4 percent compared with July 2025.

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Contrasting Variations: Yearly And Monthly Indicators

The analysis reveals diverse trends across various sectors when comparing the period to both the previous year and the preceding month. Year-over-year, clothing and footwear prices decreased by 7.7 percent, whereas restaurants and hotels and the recreation and culture categories grew by 4.5 percent and 3.9 percent respectively. In month-on-month terms, food and non-alcoholic beverages rose by 1.8 percent and clothing and footwear fell by 1.1 percent, reflecting subtle but important shifts in consumer behavior and pricing dynamics.

Impact Analysis: Contributions To The CPI Change

A closer look at the unit contributions in August 2025 reveals that restaurants and hotels added 0.49 units to the CPI, followed by recreation and culture with an increase of 0.26 units. Conversely, food and non-alcoholic beverages subtracted 0.72 units while transport detracted 0.55 units over the same period. Particularly, catering services featured as the largest positive contributor with an increase of 0.53 units, offset by petroleum products, which negatively affected the index by 0.84 units.

Understanding The Price Dynamics

The apparent paradox of rising monthly prices accompanied by a decrease in annual inflation is clarified by the differing metrics: the CPI provides an absolute level of prices for each month, whereas year-on-year inflation measures the rate of change relative to the same period in the previous year. Despite modest month-to-month increases, the overall pace of price hikes has moderated compared with August 2024, underscoring the nuanced trajectory of Cyprus’ economic environment.

This comprehensive analysis underlines that while higher costs in food, services, and recreation have driven up the CPI in August 2025, the tempered annual inflation rate signals a broader stabilization in pricing trends, offering crucial insights for policymakers and business leaders alike.

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FinTech’s Dominance In MENA: Three Strategic Drivers Behind Unyielding VC Success

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

September 11, 2025

Despite facing tightening global liquidity and macroeconomic headwinds, the FinTech sector continues to assert its leadership in the MENA region. In the first half of 2025, FinTech emerged as the most resilient and appealing arena for venture capital investments, proving its worth as a catalyst for financial innovation and inclusion.

Addressing Structural Financial Gaps

In many parts of MENA, a significant proportion of the population remains underbanked and underserved by traditional financial institutions. FinTech companies are uniquely positioned to address these persistent challenges by bridging critical access gaps and driving financial inclusion. With the proliferation of payment apps, digital wallets, and micro-lending platforms, investors have witnessed firsthand how these solutions pave the way for scalable growth and eventual exits. Early-stage momentum in the region is underscored by a doubling of pre-seed deals year-over-year, reinforcing the sector’s capacity for rapid innovation and sustainable expansion.

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Highly Scalable and Replicable Business Models

One of the key factors behind FinTech’s dominance is the inherent scalability of its business models. Once the necessary infrastructure and regulatory approvals are in place, these models have demonstrated robust performance across borders. The first half of 2025 saw a marked acceleration in deal activity, with payment solutions leading the charge with 28 deals in MENA—a significant increase over the previous year. Lending platforms, in particular, experienced a meteoric 500% year-over-year increase in funding, emerging as the fastest-growing subindustry. Such replicability makes FinTech an attractive proposition for investors seeking high-growth opportunities in diverse markets.

Supportive Regulatory And Government Backing

The strategic support offered by key government initiatives in the UAE and Saudi Arabia has been instrumental in propelling the FinTech sector forward. Progressive frameworks, such as the UAE’s open finance and digital asset directives, coupled with Saudi Arabia’s live-testing sandboxes, have materially lowered entry barriers for startups. These measures not only foster innovation but also streamline the path to commercialization. Consequently, the combined efforts of these regulatory bodies have enabled the UAE and Saudi Arabia to account for 86% of MENA’s total FinTech funding in H1 2025.

The resilience of FinTech in MENA is not merely a reflection of contemporary market trends—it signals a fundamental shift in the region’s economic fabric. With an unwavering commitment to addressing real financial challenges, scalable and replicable business practices, and robust regulatory support, FinTech is setting the benchmark for sustainable innovation. As capital markets become increasingly discerning, this sector stands out as a beacon of long-term growth and transformative impact.