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Cyprus Property Market Sees Strong Start in 2025

The Cyprus property market has made an impressive start to 2025, with property sales contracts increasing by 21% year-on-year in January. According to the Department of Lands & Surveys, all districts showed growth, with Famagusta leading with a 40% rise, followed by Limassol at 36%. Larnaca saw a 20% increase, Nicosia registered a 13% rise, and Paphos experienced a 5% growth.

This surge in property sales reflects growing investor confidence, supported by economic stability, foreign investment, and local demand. Limassol continues to attract business buyers, while Famagusta’s coastal properties gain attention. Larnaca’s infrastructure developments are also driving sales, and Nicosia remains stable as the capital.

However, MPs have raised concerns about rising property prices driven by foreign buyers, which could affect local buyers, particularly young couples. Foreign property ownership is typically permitted within the EU, but some countries impose restrictions. For example, Spain is considering higher property taxes for non-EU buyers in response to its housing crisis.

Market Segment Breakdown

  • Domestic Market: Property sales to Cypriot buyers increased by 27%, accounting for 60% of total sales. Growth was significant in Limassol (+50%), Larnaca (+22%), and Nicosia (+18%).
  • Overseas Market: Sales to foreign buyers rose by 12%. Famagusta (+74%) and Limassol (+16%) saw notable increases, while Nicosia experienced a 10% decline.
  • EU Citizens: Sales to EU nationals surged by 44%, with Famagusta showing a remarkable 533% increase from just 3 transactions in January 2024 to 19 in January 2025.
  • Non-EU Citizens: Sales to non-EU buyers grew modestly by 1%, though some districts saw declines, particularly Nicosia (-27%) and Paphos (-15%).

Foreign buyers continue to dominate Paphos, where nearly 75% of property transactions are made by non-Cypriots.

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

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.

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.

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