Today's Edition
MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)
The UAE accounted for 80.9% of disclosed mergers and acquisitions deal value across the GCC in the first half of 2026, reinforcing its position as the region’s leading market for dealmaking, according to the Grant Thornton UAE and GCC M&A Market Review.
The report said total disclosed GCC deal value reached $65.1 billion in H1 2026, up 12.1% from $58 billion in the same period last year.
The UAE contributed approximately $52.6 billion of that total, with deal value driven by a number of large strategic transactions.
The UAE also remained the GCC’s most active M&A market, accounting for 68.2% of the region’s 192 transactions during the first half of the year, or 131 deals.
Overall GCC transaction volumes fell 17.9% from 234 deals in H1 2025, reflecting a more selective dealmaking environment.
Despite the decline in volume, the report said the UAE demonstrated resilience, supported by strong liquidity, economic fundamentals, and continued investor confidence.
Acquisitions remained the dominant transaction structure across the GCC, accounting for 64.1% of total deal volume, as investors increasingly favoured opportunities offering scale, control, and long-term value creation.
The report highlighted several major UAE-linked transactions during the period, including DAE’s agreement to acquire Macquarie AirFinance for approximately $9 billion, AD Ports Group’s expansion of its stake in Global Feeder Shipping to 81%, and Mubadala’s agreement to acquire French leisure group Pierre & Vacances-Center Parcs for about $1.1 billion.
Other major UAE transactions included e&’s sale of a 12.5% stake in Careem Technologies to Uber for Dh367.3 million, while retaining a significant ownership position.
The report said UAE companies continued to use acquisitions to expand existing platforms, diversify earnings, and enter selected growth markets, with activity concentrated largely on controlling stakes.
Sectors attracting strategic investment included infrastructure and utilities, healthcare, consumer and food and beverage, logistics and industrials, as well as technology and digital platforms.
The outlook for the second half of 2026 remains focused on selective dealmaking, with strategic and sovereign-backed capital expected to support activity.
Large transactions are also expected to remain an important contributor to deal value, particularly across infrastructure, energy, real estate, and industrial assets.
The report said regional and UAE serial acquirers are expected to remain active, particularly where transactions can support cross-border expansion, capability building, and long-term growth.
