UAE M&A in H1 2026: Fewer, Larger Deals and What They Mean for Owners

By Bill Anderson, FCCA, Chief Executive Officer, Assetica — 2026-10-02

Direct Answer: In the first half of 2026 the UAE recorded 131 disclosed deals worth USD 52.6 billion, which was 80.9% of GCC deal value, according to Grant Thornton. Across the GCC, deal count fell 17.9% year on year while value rose 12.1%. Headline value is driven by a few very large transactions, so it says little about what a mid-market business will fetch.

Grant Thornton's GCC and UAE M&A market review for H1 2026 (published report) is a useful snapshot. This article reads it for owners thinking about a sale, a partner buy-out or an acquisition, and is clear about what the figures do and do not show.

What the review reports

GCC: 192 deals worth USD 65.1 billion, with deal count down 17.9% and value up 12.1% against H1 2025.
UAE: 131 deals worth USD 52.6 billion, 80.9% of regional value and 68.2% of deal count.
Structure: acquisitions of majority or full control were 64.1% of GCC volume, with minority investments around 21%.
Sectors named: infrastructure, utilities, healthcare, consumer and food and beverage, logistics, industrials and technology platforms.

These are reported figures from one adviser's dataset of disclosed transactions. Private deals with undisclosed values are by definition missing, and different trackers count differently, so treat the totals as indicative.

Why the headline value misleads mid-market owners

The largest UAE transaction in the period, Dubai Aerospace Enterprise's acquisition of Macquarie AirFinance, was reported at USD 9.0 billion. One deal of that size is a large share of any half-year total. The same review lists far smaller deals among the top four, so value is concentrated at the top. A rise in total value tells you institutions and state-linked buyers were active. It does not tell you that an owner-managed company with AED 5 million of EBITDA can expect a higher multiple.

What the falling deal count does suggest is more selective buying. When fewer deals complete, buyers can afford to be choosy about quality of earnings, customer concentration and documentation. That is a reason to prepare, not a reason to wait.

What buyers are likely to scrutinise

Evidence of earnings. Accounts that reconcile to VAT returns and bank statements, with add-backs documented.
Customer and supplier concentration. A single customer above a quarter of revenue draws a price adjustment or a deferred payment.
Owner dependence. If the business cannot run without you, buyers will price the risk or require a long handover.
Tax position. Corporate tax registration, filings and any open exposure from before 2023.

Our guide to due diligence when buying a business in Dubai shows the buyer's checklist, and reading it from the other side is the fastest way to prepare.

What to do if you are considering a sale

Get an independent valuation first. It sets a realistic expectation and shows which factors move your value. See how to sell a business in Dubai.
Check your expectation against the market. Our UAE multiples reference gives indicative sector bands, and the valuation calculator applies them to your own figures.
Allow time. Preparation of records and add-backs usually takes longer than the negotiation.

Frequently asked questions

Does the UAE dominate GCC M&A? By disclosed value in H1 2026, yes: 80.9% according to Grant Thornton. By count it was 68.2%.

Do these figures tell me my business multiple? No. They cover disclosed transactions dominated by large deals and are not a multiple for private companies.

Is it a good time to sell? It depends on your earnings quality and readiness more than on the headline totals.

Thinking about selling or buying a business?

A scoping call confirms what you need and ends with a fixed fee in writing. Discreet and confidential. See our due diligence services.

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Figures are reported by Grant Thornton for H1 2026 and cover disclosed transactions only. This article is general information, not advice, and not a valuation of any business.

Speak to Assetica about Business Valuation

Assetica is an independent business valuation firm in Dubai. We do not audit and we do not broker deals, so the number carries no conflict. Read more about business valuation, or book a free scoping call. Standard reports are issued in five to seven business days.