February 24 2026 | MEA | Deals | M&A Advisors
The breadth of activity spans multiple sectors and deal structures, indicating a mature and diversifying market. From established industries like consumer goods to emerging technology ventures, Egypt's deal market reveals an economy in transition, attracting both strategic investors and financial sponsors seeking opportunities.
Technology leads the charge, but the real story is breadth
The volume of transactions provides a clear signal about market health and investor appetite. With 134 deals in the pipeline over the three-year period between January 2023 and January 2026, Egypt has maintained consistent deal flow that speaks to structural factors beyond short-term market conditions. This steady drumbeat of activity suggests that buyers see sustainable opportunities rather than fleeting windows.
Technology stands out with 32 deals, making it the most active sector by transaction count. This clustering of activity in tech reflects global trends but also points to Egypt's growing reputation as a digital economy hub. The government's push towards digitisation and a young, tech-savvy population create conditions for both startups and established players to attract investment.
Meanwhile, consumer and retail captured 21 deals, demonstrating that traditional sectors remain attractive. Egypt's large domestic market, with a population exceeding 115 million, continues to draw companies looking to capture market share in food, beverage, and retail. The presence of 15 industrial deals further underscores interest in the country's manufacturing base and infrastructure development.
These numbers sit comfortably alongside broader regional trends. According to PwC's 2025 TransAct Middle East report , the region has seen increased private equity interest and cross-border activity, with Egypt specifically noting a 21% increase in deals during the first half of 2024. PwC's mid-year 2024 analysis highlighted that the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Egypt dominated deal activity in the Middle East, collectively accounting for 88% of total deal volume in the region. Egypt's contribution to this narrative is becoming harder to ignore.
Where the smart money is placing bets
Looking beyond headline counts, the sector mix tells you where strategic thinking is concentrated. Energy and natural resources, with 13 deals, remains significant despite not leading in volume. This reflects Egypt's position as a regional energy player, with ongoing interest in both traditional energy assets and renewable projects. The region's focus on energy diversification is evident, with Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Egypt all introducing hydrogen development plans and advocating for development through international cooperation, according to KPMG's 2024 analysis of new energy markets in the Middle East and North Africa.
Financial institutions recorded 16 deals, a respectable showing that speaks to the ongoing modernisation and consolidation of Egypt's banking and financial services sector. With economic reforms encouraging greater financial inclusion and digital banking, this sector presents opportunities for both strategic consolidation and technology-driven disruption.
Healthcare, with five deals, may seem modest in absolute terms, but context matters. The sector has attracted attention from international investors looking at the broader African healthcare opportunity. Egypt's healthcare market, valued at USD 1.45 billion in 2024 and projected to reach USD 2.72 billion by 2030 with an 11.05% CAGR, sits at the centre of growing demand driven by the country's large population and improving regulatory environment. McKinsey's research on African pharmaceutical markets points to rising demand and under-penetration as key drivers, noting that Africa's pharmaceutical industry is predicted to be worth $40 billion to $65 billion, with Egypt featuring as one of the continent's key markets.
Real estate clocked five deals as well, consistent with infrastructure development and urbanisation trends. Major projects like the new administrative capital continue to reshape the property landscape, creating opportunities for developers, hospitality operators, and logistics providers.
Transportation, with 10 deals, reflects strategic interest in logistics and mobility infrastructure. Egypt's geographic position, bridging Africa, the Middle East, and Europe, makes it a natural logistics hub, and investors are paying attention to port operations, freight, and urban mobility solutions.
How deals get done reveals market maturity
The structure of transactions reveals as much about market maturity as the sectors involved.
Divestments led the pack with 41 deals, suggesting that corporate portfolio optimisation is alive and well. Companies are making strategic choices about where to focus, and Egypt offers liquid enough markets for exits to make sense.
Privately negotiated deals accounted for 42 transactions, the highest by deal type. This points to a market where relationships matter and bespoke solutions trump standardised processes. In markets like Egypt, where local knowledge and networks provide competitive advantages, it makes sense that most deals happen through direct negotiation rather than auctions or public processes.
Funding rounds captured 26 deals, concentrated almost entirely in technology and business services. This aligns with the global venture capital environment, where growth-stage companies raise successive rounds to scale. Egypt's startup ecosystem has matured considerably, with local and regional funds now complemented by international investors willing to back Egyptian ventures.
Share placements numbered 14, indicating that public markets remain a viable channel for capital raising. This matters because it shows depth beyond private deals, companies can tap equity markets for growth capital, and investors have exit options beyond trade sales. According to EY's MENA IPO Eye Q4 2024 report , Egypt's capital market welcomed listings from The United Bank and Act Financial on the EGX in 2024, with the EGX30 ending the year strongly with a 19.5% gain. Looking ahead to 2025, EY notes that a strong lineup of companies, such as Ahli United Bank and Tabarak Developments, are poised to join the market, signalling a vibrant period for Egyptian IPOs.
Carve-out transactions, at 12 deals, reveal that corporates are willing to separate business units for value creation. These transactions tend to be complex, requiring careful separation of assets, liabilities, and operations. Their presence in the data suggests access to experienced advisers and a buyer base comfortable with complexity.
Public offers accounted for nine deals, including both mandatory general offers and strategic acquisitions of listed companies. While fewer in number, these transactions carry weight, they signal confidence in governance standards and market transparency.
Local champions meet international heavyweights
The mix of participants adds another layer to understanding Egypt's M&A dynamics. Private sector buyers dominate, as you would expect, but public-sector involvement remains significant. State-owned entities continue to play a role, whether as buyers, sellers, or partners in transactions. This reflects Egypt's economic structure, where the state maintains strategic interests in certain sectors while opening others to private investment.
International acquirers have featured prominently, bringing not just capital but also operational expertise and global market access. Names like Helios Investment Partners, AD Ports Group, and GlobalFoundries appearing in the deal list underscore the international dimensions of Egypt's M&A market. These cross-border transactions help integrate Egyptian assets into global value chains and raise standards around governance and disclosure.
At the same time, local champions such as Raya Holding and Egypt Ventures demonstrate that domestic capital is sophisticated and competitive. These players understand local markets intimately and can move quickly when opportunities arise. The presence of both local and international buyers creates competitive tension that ultimately benefits sellers and improves deal execution.
What this means for dealmakers going forward
The patterns in the data point to a market that has moved beyond opportunistic dealmaking. The diversity of sectors, the range of deal techniques, and the involvement of sophisticated local and international players all suggest structural depth.
The global market outlook consistently highlights Egypt as an emerging player. KPMG's M&A Outlook 2025 notes that the Middle East and Africa region saw a 19% rise in deal values in 2024, despite global headwinds. PwC's 2025 TransAct Middle East report points to infrastructure development and privatisation programmes as catalysts for future deals, with Egypt specifically accelerating initiatives to attract private sector investment. PwC’s H1 2025 mid-year update showed Egypt recording the most significant year-on-year increase in deal volume among regional markets, with 86 deals representing strong momentum.
Challenges remain, of course. Currency volatility, regulatory complexity, and geopolitical uncertainty can create headwinds. But the consistent flow of transactions over the past three years suggests that investors are finding ways to navigate these issues.
The Egyptian M&A market is not a speculative frontier anymore. It is a functioning marketplace with established infrastructure, experienced participants, and genuine opportunities across sectors. The 134 deals captured in the Mergermarket data represent more than statistics, they represent relationships formed, businesses built, and capital deployed with conviction.
As Egypt continues its economic transformation, the deal landscape will evolve, but the fundamentals driving this activity look set to persist.
