M&A activity in the Middle East and North Africa passed $85.2bn last year, according to data released by Refinitiv.
The report by the LSEG (London Stock Exchange Group) business analysed MENA investment banking in 2022.
According to the report, an estimated $1.6bn of investment banking fees were generated in the MENA region last year, the highest annual total since our records began in 2000.
M&A activity in the Middle East
Fees in the region increased 5% compared to 2021, in contrast to a 33% decline in global investment banking fees.
Advisory fees earned from completed M&A transactions in the region reached $509.6m, a 35% increase from last year and the highest annual total since our records began in 2000.
Equity capital markets underwriting fees also recorded an all-time high, increasing 31% year-on-year to reach $450m during 2022.
Syndicated lending fees declined 3% to a three-year low of $521.2m, while debt capital markets fees declined 54% to $124.9m, the lowest full year total since 2015.
MENA M&A fees account for 1.5% of investment banking fees earned globally during 2022, the highest share since 2008.
Thirty-eight percent of all MENA fees were generated in Saudi Arabia during 2022, followed by the UAE (35%).
HSBC earned the most investment banking fees in the region during 2022, a total of $120.3m or a 7.5% share of the total fee pool.
The value of announced M&A transactions with any MENA involvement reached $85.2bn during 2022, 31% less than the value recorded in 2021.
Deals involving a MENA target totalled $49.3bn during 2022, down 42% from last year and a four-year low.
The number of deals increased 1% from last year and marked the highest full year deal count of all time.
Inbound deals involving a non-MENA acquiror declined 77% from last year’s all-time record to $13.4bn, while domestic deals increased 28% in value to $36b.
MENA outbound M&A totalled $31.9bn, up 6% compared to the value recorded during 2021 and a seven-year high.
The industrials sector was most active, with deals targeting industrial companies accounting for 23% of MENA target M&A during 2022, followed by the financial sector with 22%.
The UAE was the most targeted nation, followed by Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
Citi topped the any MENA involvement announced M&A financial advisor league table during 2022.
MENA equity and equity-related issuance totalled $23.4bn during 2022, the highest annual total since 2019.
Proceeds raised by companies in the region increased 59% compared to 2021, while the number of issues increased 55%.
IPOs accounted for 87% of activity, while follow-on issuance accounted for 13%.
A total of 50 initial public offerings were recorded during 2022, more than double the number recorded a year earlier and the highest level since 2007.
They raised a combined $20.3bn, setting an annual record in the region.
Dubai Electricity & Water Authority raised $6.1bn in its stock market debut in April.
The state utility’s IPO was the third largest IPO globally and the second largest MENA IPO of all time.
The energy and power sector was most active, with issuers raising $9bn accounting for 39% of total equity capital raisings in the region.
The retail and materials sectors followed, accounting for 17% and 12%, respectively. HSBC took first place in the MENA ECM underwriting league table during 2022 with an 18.6% market share, followed by Saudi National Bank.
MENA debt issuance totalled $37.3bn during 2022, down 65% from the value recorded during 2021 and the lowest full year total since 2011.
The number of issues declined 41% from last year. After just $3.4bn was raised during the third quarter of 2022, the final three months of 2022 saw issuers in the region raise $15.6bn, the highest quarterly total in six quarters.
The UAE was the most active issuer nation during 2022, accounting for 42% of total bond proceeds, followed by Saudi Arabia (40%), Qatar (10%) and Bahrain (3%).
Financial issuers account for 67% of proceeds raised during 2022, while Government and Agency issuers account for 25%.
Islamic bonds raised $12.2bn during 2022, a 55% decline from 2021 and a seven-year low.
Sukuk account for one-third of total bond proceeds raised in the region during 2022, compared to one quarter in 2021.
HSBC took the top spot in the MENA bond bookrunner ranking during 2022, with $5.7bn of related proceeds, or a 15% market share.
HSBC also ranks first in the 2022 MENA Islamic bonds league table.
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