GEMS emerges as leading bidder for Saudi school firm Ajialuna

Dubai-based school operator GEMS Education is among the frontrunners bidding for Riyadh-based Ajialuna Educational Co. in a move that could give it a large foothold in the kingdom, where Ajialuna serves more than 14,000 students.

Ajialuna’s majority owner Sulaiman Alrajhi Holding is seeking to sell its entire stake, with several local investors also bidding, Bloomberg reports.

GEMS, which is backed by Brookfield Asset Management, is one of the world’s biggest education companies, with dozens of schools in the Middle East.

Demand for quality education and international curriculums is growing rapidly in Saudi Arabia, both from expatriate and local families, as the government tries to address its skills gap.