In this keynote address, a minister will review the current global economic conditions and the implications for private equity investment strategies in the Middle East.  

The outlook for global private equity activity is a mixed picture with both challenges and opportunities on the horizon. Funds have significant dry powder to deploy with opportunities available in distressed assets, emerging markets and continued technological disruption. However, economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, regulatory scrutiny and high valuations pose challenges to the industry. While the private equity landscape evolves, investors maintain an optimistic outlook despite carefully balancing new commitments against liquidity concerns. Our panel of global investors will share their views on the current state of the market.  

• Outlook for global private equity activity – which strategies are proving most successful? 
• Growth opportunities and innovative solutions – where is liquidity coming from? 
• Which sectors are faring well, and which are on pause for now? 
• How have LP-GP dynamics evolved? Are GPs tapping into new sources of capital?

Economic diversification, government initiatives, active sovereign wealth funds and a growing start-up ecosystem stand the Middle East in an advantageous position for private equity activity. However, there are also some challenges to consider including ongoing conflicts and instability in some parts of the region, oil price volatility, increased competition and local regulatory frameworks. This panel will discuss the growing opportunities for private equity deployment in the Middle East, particularly those aligned with economic diversification efforts and technological advancements. 

• What are the deployment opportunities in key sectors such as tech, healthcare and consumer? 
• Which regions are proving most active for investors, considering the UAE, KSA and beyond?  
• What is the impact of international PE firms entering the market on domestic deployment? 
• What opportunities exist as the government continues to privatise assets?

As a slowdown in exit activity continues, GPs are navigating multiple paths to liquidity through traditional IPOs where available, sponsor-to-sponsor transactions and more innovative liquidity solutions like NAV financing and continuation vehicles. As pressure mounts to deliver returns, managers must balance DPI expectations with optimal value realisations timing, and the fundraising cycle. In this session a panel of investors will share the strategies they are employing to source exits and return capital to LPs. 

• How are recent exit activity and valuations trending across different sectors? 
• What role will public markets play in exit strategies in 2025, and how are IPO windows being assessed? 
• How are GPs managing DPI pressures while maintaining value creation strategies? 
• What secondary market opportunities exist, and how are they being leveraged? 
• How are innovative liquidity solutions being used to bridge the gap between LP liquidity needs and optimal exit timing?

As global investment landscapes evolve, Asian GPs have emerged as compelling partners for Middle Eastern capital, bringing unique perspectives and opportunities to the table. Their growing presence marks a natural progression in the deepening economic ties between Asia and the Middle East, offering diversification beyond traditional Western investment channels. These partnerships are particularly interesting at a time when Asian markets present distinctive opportunities across various stages of economic development - from mature economies like Japan and South Korea to high-growth markets like India and Southeast Asia. Their approach often combines deep local market expertise with global investment standards.

• How are Asian GPs' investment theses aligned with Middle Eastern LP objectives and time horizons?
• Which emerging sectors present unique co-investment opportunities, particularly in technology and sustainability?
• What advantages do Asian GPs offer in terms of deal sourcing and value creation compared to global alternatives?
• How are evolving regional economic partnerships creating new investment channels and opportunities?
• What role do cultural alignment and shared business values play in successful partnerships?

Technological advancements continue to create opportunities for growth equity investments in innovative companies across various sectors. As well as this, digital transformation in value creation strategies is increasing valuations ten-fold for GPs looking to exit. Operationally, GPs are also leveraging AI for significant operational improvements in portfolio companies.  

• How are GPs leveraging technology and AI for operational improvements? 
• What is the role of technology and AI in value creation strategies? 
• Which sectors will see a significant impact and transformation because of GenAI? 
• What are the regulatory and data privacy concerns around AI?
• How can AI-powered technologies transform due diligence from a compliance exercise to a strategic value creation mechanism, enabling firms to identify and assess acquisition opportunities?

As private credit solidifies its position as a core allocation globally, the Middle East also presents a unique opportunity where traditional lending relationships are evolving, and new financing needs are emerging. Previously GPs had relied on conventional bank financing, but structural shifts in both local and global markets are creating compelling opportunities for alternative lenders. This evolution coincides with broader economic diversification initiatives and the growth of sectors requiring more flexible funding solutions. The session examines how private credit strategies can deliver risk-adjusted returns, while exploring how regional investors are approaching the asset class both domestically and globally. With rising rates and market uncertainty, understanding both the opportunity, and where and when to commit capital is crucial for LPs and GPs alike. 

• How are regional economic diversification initiatives creating opportunities for private credit strategies? 
• What advantages do local private credit providers have in deal sourcing and execution versus global players? 
• How are Middle Eastern LPs viewing private credit allocations across different geographies and strategies? 
• Which sectors present the most attractive risk-adjusted returns for private credit? 
• How are lenders structuring deals to account for regional legal and regulatory considerations? 

The Middle Eastern VC landscape is dynamic and rapidly evolving due to the region’s strong economic fundamentals, a young, tech-savvy population and government support for innovation which is driving continued growth and maturation of the ecosystem. Sophisticated investment strategies, further funding rounds and potentially more significant exits are set to further establish the Middle East as a notable player in the global VC landscape. 

• What has the impact of initiatives such as Saudi’s Vision 2030 and the UAE’s National Innovation Strategy been on entrepreneurship and innovation in the region? 
• What are the key markets in terms of VC activity? Where are the hotspots of activity? 
• Which sectors are particularly active? What are the opportunities in Fintech, E-commerce, Edtech, Healthtech and Proptech? 
• What will AI’s impact on investment theses be in the VC landscape?

As institutional investors navigate evolving global markets, portfolio construction and regional allocation decisions have become increasingly nuanced. While MENA presents compelling growth opportunities driven by demographic trends and digital transformation, LPs must consider this alongside other regional opportunities and challenges - from Asia's innovation ecosystem to North American private markets' maturity. This session explores how sophisticated LPs are constructing truly global portfolios while maintaining strategic exposure to high-potential markets like MENA. Our discussion examines how investors are balancing regional allocations, currency considerations and various investment strategies to optimise risk-adjusted returns across their portfolios.

• How are institutional investors evaluating opportunities across different regions?
• What role should MENA play in global portfolios, and how does this vary by investor type?
• How are LPs approaching manager selection across regions - from established multi-fund GPs to emerging managers?
  Which sectors offer compelling opportunities across different geographies?
• How are macro factors (currency, inflation, rates) influencing regional allocation decisions?
• What roles do co-investments and direct investments play in building balanced regional exposure?
• How are distribution patterns across different markets affecting portfolio rebalancing decisions?