Startups in the Middle East and North Africa witnessed remarkable activity in investments and acquisitions between September 21 and 28, 2025.
The Investment and Acquisitions Report issued by EntArabi highlights the diversity of deals during the period, ranging from funding rounds and the launch of new funds to strategic acquisitions across fintech, artificial intelligence, gaming, and business solutions.
1. Investments by Country
| Country | Number of Deals/Startups | Total Investments (USD Million) |
| Saudi Arabia | 5 | 36.9 |
| Egypt | 2 | Not disclosed |
| Tunisia | 1 | 4 |
| Qatar | 1 (Fund) | 100 |
| Jordan | 1 | 1.55 |
| UAE | 1 (Foreign fund) | Not disclosed |
| India (UAE-led) | 1 | 7.7 |
| United States (EA) | 1 (Acquisition under negotiation) | 50,000 |
| Syria | 1 (MoU) | Not disclosed |
| Total | 13 announced + 1 major acquisition | ≈ 50,150.15 (excluding undisclosed) |
2. Investments by Sector
| Sector | Number of Deals/Startups | Total Investments (USD Million) |
| Fintech | 3 | 35.75 |
| Artificial Intelligence | 2 | 101.7 |
| Gaming & Entertainment | 1 (Major acquisition) | 50,000 |
| Logistics & Travel | 1 | Not disclosed |
| Business Solutions/HR | 1 (Acquisition) | Not disclosed |
| VC Funds / Capital Pools | 3 | 111 |
| Aviation & Clean Tech | 1 | Not disclosed |
| Financial Inclusion / International Cooperation | 1 (MoU) | Not disclosed |
| Total | 13 deals + 1 acquisition | ≈ 50,248.45 (excluding undisclosed) |
Key Insights
- Saudi Arabia led in deal volume (5), supported by major rounds such as Erad’s $33M debt financing and fresh investments in AI and payments startups.
- Egypt stood out in the acquisition space with Fawry’s buyout of Dirac Systems and Avanz Capital’s entry into Algebra Ventures Fund II, reinforcing its venture capital landscape.
- The largest global transaction of the week was the potential $50B leveraged buyout of Electronic Arts (EA), led by Saudi PIF and partners, positioning it as the biggest gaming LBO in history.
- Sectoral momentum was driven by AI ($101.7M) and fintech ($35.75M), underscoring sustained investor appetite for digital innovation and financial infrastructure.
