26-05-2025
Sharjah unveils region's first digital M&A platform to boost investment
Sharjah has launched Sharjah AcquireHub, the Middle East's first government-backed digital platform designed to streamline mergers and acquisitions (M&A), reinforcing the emirate's position as a regional investment hub.
Developed in partnership with Transworld Business Advisors, a global leader in business advisory services, the platform connects investors, SMEs, and entrepreneurs worldwide with high-potential opportunities in Sharjah's dynamic market. This innovative tool aims to drive economic growth, enhance market resilience, and attract premium investments through a secure, transparent framework.
Sharjah AcquireHub offers a comprehensive solution for stakeholders, providing seamless online registration, tailored advisory support, and post-transaction assistance, all underpinned by strict confidentiality measures like NDAs and thorough due diligence.
The platform facilitates flexible expansion, exit, or repositioning options, empowering business owners to list companies for acquisition while enabling investors to pursue strategic partnerships with confidence. This ecosystem supports Sharjah's SME sector, which accounts for over 94 per cent of UAE businesses, with 71,320 new and renewed business licenses issued in 2024—a 7.0 per cent increase, reflecting robust growth.
Mohamed Juma Al Musharrkh, CEO of Invest in Sharjah, emphasised the platform's significance, stating, 'Our collaboration with Transworld Business Advisors leverages global expertise and Sharjah's vision to create new pathways for investors. Sharjah AcquireHub reflects evolving business dynamics, positioning the emirate as a leader in regional M&A activity.'
Ahmad Ibrahim, CEO of Transworld GCC, added, 'This partnership drives digital transformation and sustainable growth, unlocking new opportunities within Sharjah's investment landscape.'
With its strategic geographic position and knowledge-based economy, Sharjah is well-placed to lead high-impact M&A activity. The launch of Sharjah AcquireHub also sets a new benchmark for digital innovation in the region's investment landscape, promising sustained economic transformation and global connectivity, investment experts added.
The global M&A market, valued at $3.5 trillion in 2024 with a 15 per cent year-on-year rise, underscores the platform's timeliness, according to Bain & Company. Regionally, 701 M&A deals worth $92.3 billion were recorded in 2024, per the EY Mena M&A Report, highlighting the need for a locally rooted, globally aligned platform.
Sharjah AcquireHub addresses this demand by offering advanced tools to tap into high-potential mid-market opportunities, fostering partnerships that support SME development and economic diversification.
The platform, a result of a public-private partnership formalised through an MOU between Invest in Sharjah and Transworld GCC, underscores Sharjah's commitment to a competitive investment ecosystem. Transworld, with over 2,500 transactions completed in 2024 and a network spanning 27 countries, will enhance the platform's operations through M&A readiness workshops, an international matchmaking program, and targeted roadshows to promote Sharjah's opportunities globally.
Sharjah AcquireHub aligns with the emirate's long-term economic vision, emphasising innovation, technology, and sectors like industry and healthcare. By channeling resources toward high-value projects, the platform supports policymakers in prioritizing strategic sectors, reducing reliance on traditional industries. Curated investment opportunities will be regularly updated on the Invest in Sharjah website, enabling business owners to explore expansion or exit strategies and providing investors a gateway to enter the UAE market through structured transactions. issacjohn@
