Middle East deal activity outperformed global activity in 2023

Data shows how the market has managed to defy many macroeconomic and geopolitical headwinds in the Middle East. In 2021, deal value in the region increased 98% registering a total of 762 deals. 2023 saw a decrease in deal value by 26% in the Middle East compared to 45% in North America and 37% globally. Some of the largest deals have included the overseas investors establishing themselves in the region, such as Brookfield’s $2.7 billion bid for UAE-based financial payments provider Network International in April 2023. GPs are flocking to the region with a lot of encouragement from Gulf LPs to build teams on the ground.