MENA sees 390 M&A deals worth $46.7 billion in first half of 2026

Mergers and acquisitions activity across the Middle East and North Africa recorded 390 deals worth $46.7 billion in the first half of 2026, underscoring continued transactional momentum in the region driven largely by the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. The tally of deals and aggregate value highlight an active period for corporate consolidation and cross-border investment during H1 2026.

“MENA sees 390 M&A deals worth $46.7 billion in first half of 2026,” the data shows.

Deal flow was concentrated in the Gulf, where headline economic and infrastructure initiatives coincided with major sectoral developments. Saudi Arabia reported progress on several strategic projects, including completion of an $8.5 billion green hydrogen project, while Riyadh also increased environmental remediation efforts — raising the disposal rate of ozone-depleting substances to 69% in H1 2026 and clearing more than 8,000 metric tons of ozone-depleting substances and HFCs. These moves form part of a broader business environment that is attracting private capital, with Saudi Arabia ranking among the top 10 global markets for private AI investment.

In the UAE, policymakers set an ambitious Islamic finance target of $697 billion as the country scales its halal economy. Current Islamic finance assets in the UAE stand at about $381.2 billion, positioning the Emirates as the world’s third-ranked market on the 2025 Islamic Finance Development Indicator. That financial depth and regulatory focus on alternative finance vehicles are likely contributing to deal-making activity across banking, fintech and Sharia-compliant investment structures.

Elsewhere in the region, Egypt continues to draw sizable long-term energy investment — the country’s electricity and renewable energy sector has attracted approximately $99.6 billion in investment since 2014 and is pursuing a renewable energy target of 45% by 2028. On the property side, young Emiratis invested $1.17 billion in Sharjah’s property market, reflecting sustained domestic interest in real estate allocations alongside broader M&A and capital deployment.

Sector signals and corporate drivers

• Energy and green infrastructure: Major capital projects such as the $8.5 billion green hydrogen development in Saudi Arabia underpin larger strategic investment themes.
• Finance and fintech: UAE’s $697 billion Islamic finance target and $381.2 billion in assets point to significant liquidity and structured-product opportunities.
• Technology and AI: Saudi Arabia’s placing among the top 10 global markets for private AI investment signals growing tech-sector deal activity.
• Real estate: Domestic investment patterns, including $1.17 billion by young Emiratis in Sharjah, continue to support transactions in property and related services.

Outlook: With 390 deals and $46.7 billion exchanged in just six months, MENA’s M&A market entered the second half of 2026 with momentum. Continued delivery on large-scale projects, expansion of finance sector targets, and rising private investment in AI and renewables create a pipeline for sustained deal-making. Policymakers’ environmental and energy milestones — from higher disposal rates for ozone-depleting substances to renewable and hydrogen project completions — may further de-risk infrastructure and energy assets, keeping strategic M&A activity high through the remainder of the year.