Mideast M&A soars on energy, industry and tech

Diversification push sees value of deals surge 260% to $53b in first nine months

- BY NIVETHA DAYANAND Assistant Business Editor

Middle East mergers and acquisitions rebounded sharply in 2025, with deal values surging 260 per cent to $53 billion in the first nine months of the year, defying earlier market volatility and reinforcing the region's reputation as one of the world's most resilient dealmaking hubs.

The rebound comes after activity briefly slipped to its lowest levels since the Covid shock earlier in the year. According to the 22nd Annual Global M&A Report from Boston Consulting Group, the recovery has been led by a narrow group of experienced investors deploying capital with discipline rather than scale for scale's sake.

Value up, volume low

Across Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia, aggregate deal value rose 6 per cent year on year, although volumes remain below the 10-year average. Even so, sentiment has turned decisively more positive. BCG's M&A Sentiment Index shows confidence strengthening across all sectors, with technology and energy recording the sharpest improvement.