Middle East initial public offerings are set to rebound in 2026 after slumping to their weakest level since 2020, hit by lower oil prices, geopolitical risks and weak post-listing performances at some major companies, analysts said.
The region's firms raised $7.1 billion from 61 listings last year, compared to $13.1 billion in 2024. The total amount raised in 2025 was the lowest since 2020 when companies pulled in $2.2 billion, according to financial data platform Dealogic.
However, Middle East markets are expected to recover this year, with Gulf countries leading the way.
“The Gulf IPO markets are expected to witness a measured recovery in 2026,” Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial, told The National.
“Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange and Dubai Financial Market are expecting nine to 12 IPOs in the first half of 2026, and the focus is on sectors like real estate, aviation, tech/digital platforms, logistics, utilities and hospitality. Billions of dollars could be raised to deepen liquidity,” Mr Valecha added.
Dubai Investment Park, the property arm of Dubai Investment, is among companies expected to list, Mr Valecha said. So too are Abu Dhabi's Etihad Airways and Dubai's Binghatti Holding but they have yet to confirm their IPO plans, he added. Dubizzle, which postponed its IPO last year, is also tipped to come to market.
UAE companies raised a total of $1.1 billion through three IPOs in 2025, Dealogic data shows.
Alpha Data, construction and engineering firm Alec Holdings and Dubai Residential Reit, a sharia-compliant, income-generating property investment trust, each listed their shares on UAE bourses last year after raising $163 million, $584 million and $381 milli
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