MENA’s M&A Momentum: Powered by AI

The Middle East and North Africa’s (MENA) mergers and acquisitions (M&A) market continues to defy global headwinds. While transaction volumes have declined across many markets, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia stand out for their sustained strength, particularly in the middle-market segment (under USD 100 million). Middle-market deal activity has risen by 19 percent, driven by government-led transformation agendas that are attracting significant inbound foreign investment — a sharp contrast to the nine percent decline in global M&A volumes amid macroeconomic uncertainty, cautious capital allocation and tariff-related market volatility.

In this dynamic environment, artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as both a differentiator and a strategic engine for growth — and the MENA region is embracing it rapidly, leveraging its capabilities to redefine the M&A landscape and set new benchmarks for intelligent dealmaking.

Even as deals take longer amid the global slowdown and evolving regulatory landscapes, AI-powered dealmaking technology like Intralinks’ DealCentre AI™ offer a critical advantage: accelerating speed, precision and insight in execution.

At a recent SS&C Intralinks panel discussion held in Dubai, senior leaders from PwC, Latham & Watkins and Core42 discussed how AI is transforming MENA’s M&A ecosystem and reshaping deal execution and setting the stage for an ambitious 2026. 

AI as an asset and a catalyst

AI is rapidly moving from an operational enabler to a strategic priority within M&A, reshaping how organizations assess value and pursue growth. For organizations such as Core42 and G42, an AI development company based in Abu Dhabi, AI represents a foundation for all partnerships and acquisitions — a “driver and a filter” for corporate growth. As Roopal Jobanputra, general counsel at Core42, highlighted, M&A decisions increasingly hinge on acquiring data sets, talent or proprietary technologies that enhance AI capabilities. The acquisition of data center company Khazna was not just a business deal, but a strategic move to strengthen the infrastructure behind G42’s intelligence ecosystem.

For advisors and investors, AI’s immediate value lies in accelerating and elevating execution.

• Due diligence: AI can process thousands of documents within hours, identifying compliance risks and generating first drafts of diligence reports.
• Deal origination: Sourcing opportunities are already being powered by AI-driven investor–target matching, replacing today’s relationship-heavy, inefficient model with smarter, data-based insights. 

The human advantage: Moving up the value chain

While AI is transforming processes, human expertise remains irreplaceable. As Ahmed El-Gaili of Latham & Watkins emphasized, “AI is an enabler, not a replacement — the buck stops with the lawyer.” Rather than reducing headcount, firms are using AI to upskill professionals, freeing them from repetitive tasks so they can focus on higher-value work such as analytical judgment and scenario planning, sector benchmarking and strategic advice, and negotiation and contingency planning.

In this model, AI serves as a catalyst for deeper insight, allowing professionals to concentrate on the nuance, creativity and foresight that clients truly value. 

Governance and ethics: Balancing speed with sovereignty

As AI adoption accelerates, the region’s business leaders are placing a strong emphasis on responsible innovation. Many Gulf clients, including government entities, view data sovereignty and ethical integrity as fundamental to their operations. Jobanputra noted that governance frameworks are now embedded from the earliest stages of AI product development, aligning with global best practices such as Microsoft’s Responsible AI Standard. Legal and advisory firms are mitigating risks such as AI hallucinations through mandatory training, curated prompt libraries and rigorous quality controls, ensuring that technology strengthens rather than undermines trust. 

Infrastructure: the next frontier

Looking ahead to 2026, technology infrastructure — particularly data centers — is set to become the region’s most active M&A segment. Investments by sovereign wealth funds, such as the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia and Mubadala Investment Company of Abu Dhabi, are setting the stage for exponential growth in digital capacity. This foundational build-out is expected to fuel a new wave of M&A activity aimed at scaling domestic AI businesses. 

Empowering the next era of intelligent dealmaking

AI is no longer just enhancing how deals are done — it’s redefining what’s possible across MENA’s M&A landscape. As the region continues to attract global capital and demonstrate resilient growth, the ability to harness AI responsibly and effectively will distinguish the next generation of dealmaking leaders.