Ansarada's 2027 M&A Predictions Report | the outlook for Middle East dealmaking

INSIGHTS

Ansarada's 2027 M&A Predictions Report | the outlook for Middle East dealmaking

10 Nov 2026

In Ansarada’s 2027 M&A Predictions Report, Qasim Memon, Director, Deals Advisory at Grant Thornton UAE, shares his outlook for dealmaking across the Middle East and the trends he expects to shape the market in 2027.

This feature highlights:

• An insight into the developments of a more selective M&A environment, with investors increasingly focused on strategic opportunities rather than simply pursuing the next major deal.
• The growing outbound investment from the region, as private equity investors look internationally to diversify portfolios and rebalance geographic exposure.
• The continued momentum in the UAE and wider GCC, supported by national economic ambitions, localisation and supply-chain initiatives, alongside activity across technology, energy and data infrastructure.
• The growing importance of the mid-market, as regional investors adopt more flexible deployment strategies and a broader pool of investable businesses emerges.
• AI’s evolving role in M&A, with investors increasingly looking beyond the AI label to businesses that can demonstrate tangible improvements in productivity, customer experience, margins and financial performance.

This article highlights how the evolving M&A landscape is supporting the region’s wider economic ambitions, attracting investment, strengthening key sectors and creating opportunities for long-term growth.

Read the full report.

Experts / Authors

Qasim Memon

Qasim is a seasoned Corporate Finance advisor with over a decade of professional experience. He is renowned for his adeptness in guiding shareholders through exit strategies. With a robust background in the United Kingdom and a track record of successful cross-border transactions, Qasim has built a global network that complements his skill set.