Global merger, acquisition activity will grow by 15% in 2024
The total value of deals is expected to rise from $3.2 trillion in 2023 to $3.5 trillion in 2024.
This growth is attributed mainly to the Middle East’s significant contribution to global M&A activity.
The region’s inbound and domestic M&A activity surged 88 percent in the first 10 months of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, reaching $36 billion.
“The Middle East’s exceptional M&A growth underscores the region’s transformation into a global investment powerhouse," said Grégory Garnier, Middle East head of Bain's Private Equity and Sovereign Wealth Fund practices.
Garnier noted that sovereign wealth funds and regional players are driving opportunities domestically and internationally, focusing on high-value deals in energy, technology, and manufacturing, positioning the Middle East as a key player in the global economy.
Globally, the value of private equity deals rose 29 percent, and venture capital increased 30 percent compared to 2023.
The Middle East saw extraordinary sector-specific growth. Energy and natural resources, technology, and advanced manufacturing services reported increases of approximately 140 percent, 90 percent, and 300 percent, respectively.
The report also highlights that, in 2024, due to challenges and litigation extending deal timelines, nearly 47 percent of dealmakers said regulatory concerns influenced their deal choices. This trend was mirrored in the Middle East, where global investors increasingly favoured the region for its regulatory environment. Investments in European targets by Middle Eastern acquirers grew by over 100 percent compared to 2023.
The most significant deals, globally and regionally, have focused on synergies. In 2024, scale deals represented 59 percent of the total deal value worldwide, the highest proportion since 2015. These large deals also dominated the Middle East, underscoring the region’s strategy to strengthen its energy and advanced manufacturing leadership.
In response to high interest rates, strategic acquirers worldwide have become more selective, focusing on deals that promise concrete value creation. Middle Eastern dealmakers have demonstrated adaptability by leveraging revenue and cost synergies in high-value transactions, continuing to attract global capital.
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