https://arab.news/pcdf7
The Middle East and North Africa region is experiencing a remarkable upswing in mergers and acquisitions. Between January and September, it recorded 649 deals worth more than $69 billion. This is a 23 percent jump in volume.
According to regional transaction trackers, cross-border deals accounted for about 76 percent of the total value, highlighting a clear surge in foreign appetite for MENA assets. This increase is not a coincidence. It reflects a clear shift in the region’s regulatory and policy environment, with governments actively de-risking their markets and signaling long-term stability to global investors.
For years, investors viewed parts of the region with caution due to opaque regulations, slow licensing processes and limited clarity around ownership and dispute resolution. But the landscape is changing rapidly.
For example, Saudi Arabia’s new investment law, introduced earlier this year, has streamlined registration procedures and reduced administrative hurdles. Oman’s establishment of a dedicated investment court in March was another important shift, offering faster, clearer handling of commercial disputes. As such, MENA nations clearly want to develop their markets to become easier to navigate, more transparent and open to global capital.
