RIYADH: Mergers and acquisitions in the Middle East and North Africa region reached $69.1 billion in the first nine months of this year through 649 deals, marking a 23 percent year-on-year rise, a new analysis showed.
In its latest report, professional services firm EY said that Gulf Cooperation Council countries accounted for the majority of activity, with 500 deals valued at $65.9 billion.
The sharp uptick signals robust investor appetite despite macroeconomic uncertainty and builds on a solid 2024 performance, when MENA M&A deals rose 7 percent to $92.3 billion.
In February, US-based investment bank Morgan Stanley described the momentum as a “structural upswing” in deal volume and value, driven by regulatory reforms and strategic policy shifts across the region.
Commenting on the latest report, Strategy and Transactions Leader at EY MENA Brad Watson said: “The MENA M&A market continues to demonstrate resilience this year. The rise in cross-border deal activity showcases the growing appetite of companies for international expansion and portfolio diversification.”
