MidEast VC funding hits record $3.8B in 2025, driven by strong Gulf showing
Many emerging venture markets contracted in 2025, but the Middle East and North Africa bucked the trend.
Venture capital funding in the Middle East and North Africa hit a record $3.8 billion in 2025 across 688 deals, according to new data, driven by strong performances in the Gulf and significant foreign investment.
What happened: A report by MAGNiTT, a Dubai-based company that analyses global investment trends, showed VC funding up 74% year-on-year, driven by strong performances in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Saudi Arabia was the most active country in the region in terms of VC deals and funding, with 257 closed transactions worth $1.72 billion. The kingdom was the second most active country among global emerging venture markets in regard to deal value, behind only Singapore, which recorded $3.08 billion in VC transactions last year.
The UAE followed Saudi Arabia, with 231 VC deals worth $1.57 billion in 2025. Turkey ranked third with $625 million across 175 deals, followed by Egypt, with $304 million over 69 deals.
