60% decline in mergers, acquisitions activity in Egypt last year: PwC

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Egypt - In a recent report, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) highlighted a 60% decline in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity in Egypt during the past year. This downturn had broader implications, affecting overall activity in the Middle East region. Let’s delve into the key points:

Regional Impact:
- The Middle East witnessed a 30% decline in the total number of deals, recording approximately 447 transactions compared to the previous year.
- Notably, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates maintained robust deal levels during the same period.
Egypt’s Changing Trajectory:
- Egypt had been on a positive trajectory, achieving a significant number of deals in the region.
- However, several factors contributed to the decline:
  - Currency Fluctuations: The Egyptian pound (EGP) depreciated against the US dollar (USD).
  - Interest Rate Hikes: Rising interest rates impacted investment decisions.
  - General Economic Challenges: These hindered overall performance.
- Despite these challenges, the devaluation of the pound attracted investors to sectors such as energy, health, financial services, and tourism.
Foreign Investment Potential:
- Egypt’s high population and existing infrastructure create opportunities for foreign investors.
- Notably, the recent $35bn investment deal by ADQ in Ras Al-Hekma aims to transform the area into a global tourist destination.
Prominent Deals:
- The Emirati firm “Global Investments” secured a 30% stake in the shares of Eastern Company, Egypt’s largest tobacco manufacturer. This deal, valued at $625m, ranked third in terms of volume in 2023 across the Middle East.
Middle East M&A Market Performance:
- Despite global market fluctuations, the Middle East maintained consistent M&A performance in 2023.
- While the first half of 2023 showed improvement over 2022, challenges like rising interest rates and economic slowdowns impacted overall recovery.
Global Trends:
- Globally, M&A activity declined significantly, shrinking to $2.5trn in 2023 (compared to the peak of $5trn in 2021).
- The number of deals also decreased by 17%, totaling 55,000 last year (compared to 65,000 in 2021).
- Deal makers adapted by focusing on smaller transactions, leveraging their flexibility under challenging circumstances.
Small-Sized Deals:
- In the Middle East, the trend leaned toward small-sized deals, often falling within the range of $100m or less.
- These deals demonstrated resilience in the face of interest rate fluctuations, constituting approximately 92% of the total deals by the end of 2023.