The United Arab Emirates has emerged as the leading hub for mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) during the first half of 2025, accounting for nearly half of the region’s total transactions.
According to data from EY, the UAE recorded $25.4 billion worth of deals in the six-month period, representing around 43% of the $58.7 billion in M&A activity across MENA.
“The United Arab Emirates (UAE)… remains a magnet for global capital, supported by a stable regulatory framework and a focus on economic diversification, while regional partnerships with Europe, Asia and North America are opening doors to fresh growth channels,” said Brad Watson, MENA EY-Parthenon Leader.
Saudi Arabia followed as another key player in the region, with $2.5 billion in transactions, or about 4.3% of the total. The largest areas of investment across both countries were in chemicals, technology, industrials and real estate.
Regional Trends
Overall, MENA saw 425 M&A transactions during the first half of the year, marking a 31% increase in volume and a 19% rise in value compared to the same period last year.
The surge has been attributed to ongoing regulatory reforms, policy shifts and an improving macroeconomic environment. Economic diversification strategies have also been instrumental in fueling investor appetite.
“MENA’s dealmaking continues to thrive in 2025, reflecting investor confidence in the region’s long-term fundamentals,” said Anil Menon, MENA EY-Parthenon Head of M&A and Equity Capital Markets Leader.
“Stable oil prices, ongoing infrastructure development and a strategic focus on technology, chemicals and industrials are creating solid foundations for sustained activity,” he added.
