Lumina event at Waldorf Astoria, DIFC
Thank you to all of Lumina Capital Advisers clients, partners, and friends who joined us for our 2025 cross-border M&A report release. Special thanks to our panelists Hesham Nass of The Kanoo Group and Louis Jacobs of RSK Group for their real time insights into the emergence of regional and global champions and the key role of cross border M&A plays in both inbound and outbound strategy.
Key takeways for the day:
UK to Middle East deals up 14%: The Middle East continues to be a key destination for UK companies to deploy capital, with the number of deals rising 14% compared to 2023.
UK plc MENA revenue up: At $14.9 billion, MENA revenue accounts for 21% of global revenues—the highest contribution to date—demonstrating the increasing importance of the market
Private equity investment up: In 2024, private equity investments into MENA reached $4.2 billion, reflecting a 42% increase, with the region's returns continuing to attract international equity investors.
Emergence of global champions: We continue to see the growth of regional champions into global leaders, exporting GCC expertise internationally and leveraging knowledge from other markets.
Streamlining of regional groups: Many strategic groups are rationalizing their operations, focusing on their core competencies to thrive in an increasingly competitive market. This leads to a review of their wider portfolios to ensure efficient management and capital allocation.
Joint Ventures (JVs): The balance of power has shifted; international parties no longer dictate the terms. Instead, it is about what each party can bring to the table as they seek to enter the market.
