New digital platform launched to streamline M&A in Sharjah

The Sharjah FDI Office (Invest in Sharjah) has launched ‘Sharjah AcquireHub’, the region’s first government-backed digital platform that specifically streamlines mergers and acquisitions (M&A) within Sharjah. Developed in a strategic partnership with Transworld Business Advisors, a global authority in business advisory services, the platform aims to accelerate economic growth, enhance market resilience, and attract high-calibre investment to Sharjah through a transparent and secure environment for M&A transactions.

Sharjah AcquireHub serves diverse stakeholders; including international investors, SMEs, entrepreneurs, and local businesses; connecting capital with high-potential opportunities in the emirate. The platform enhances market liquidity and provides flexible solutions for growth, strategic exits, or corporate restructuring. Its end-to-end process includes seamless online registration, tailored advisory support, and post-transaction assistance, all reinforced by strict confidentiality measures such as NDAs and thorough due diligence.

This secure, structured ecosystem empowers investors, buyers, and financiers with the clarity and protections needed to confidently pursue acquisitions or strategic partnerships, while also providing a trusted platform for business owners in Sharjah who are seeking to exit, allowing them to list their companies for potential acquisition.

The platform is the outcome of an MoU signed between Mohamed Juma Al Musharrkh, CEO of Invest in Sharjah, and Ahmad Ibrahim, CEO of Transworld GCC, formalised in the presence of Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer, CEO of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq). The partnership underscores Sharjah’s ongoing commitment to fostering robust public-private collaboration and enhancing the efficiency and competitiveness of its investment ecosystem.

Sharjah AcquireHub is a strategic gateway for investors seeking access to high-potential opportunities in the emirate, particularly within the dynamic and profitable mid-market segment. It provides advanced tools and clear pathways to engage with the global M&A landscape, which reached a value of US$ 3.5 trillion in 2024, marking a 15% increase over the previous year, according to Bain & Company.

The platform addresses the growing momentum in M&A and exit activity at the regional level, with 701 deals totalling $92.3 billion recorded across regional markets in 2024, as reported in the EY MENA M&A Report. The upward trend highlights the importance of a locally-rooted yet globally-aligned platform that offers secure, regulated support for facilitating such strategic transactions.

It also represents a strategic opportunity for SMEs and entrepreneurs to integrate into a wider growth environment through partnerships and alliances that support development, safe exits, or repositioning. This contributes to the stability of the SME sector, which constitutes over 94% of businesses in the UAE. Sharjah has seen notable growth in business establishment and sustainability, with 71,320 new and renewed licences issued in 2024, reflecting a 7% increase.

At the macroeconomic level, Sharjah AcquireHub is an enabler of innovation and economic transformation, offering a more agile and effective approach to restructuring and capital allocation. By channelling resources towards high-value projects and enterprises, the platform empowers policymakers to prioritise strategic sectors, thereby advancing economic diversification and reducing dependence on traditional industries.

Its launch reaffirms Sharjah’s commitment to fostering an integrated investment environment supported by a long-term economic vision. Anchored by a knowledge-based, diversified economy and consistent backing for key sectors such as industry, technology, and healthcare, and bolstered by its strategic geographic position, Sharjah is uniquely placed to serve as a regional hub for high-impact M&A activity.

Mohamed Juma Al Musharrkh, CEO of Invest in Sharjah, said: "In our ongoing efforts to position the emirate as a regional hub for M&A, our collaboration with Transworld Business Advisors creates new pathways for domestic and international investors, leveraging global expertise alongside Sharjah’s development vision and technological capabilities. The platform reflects evolving business dynamics and reinforces Sharjah’s leadership in shaping the future of investment across the region.”

For his part, Ahmad Ibrahim, CEO of Transworld GCC, commented: "We are proud to be part of this partnership, which exemplifies meaningful collaboration in building a cohesive and sustainable investment ecosystem, and we are confident in the long-term impact this platform will have in enhancing the investment landscape and unlocking new growth opportunities. At Transworld, we believe that digital transformation and strategic partnerships will be central to driving the next phase of economic advancement.”

Transworld Business Advisors is recognised as a leading force in the global M&A landscape, having completed over 2,500 transactions in 2024 alone. With a presence spanning more than 250 offices across 27 countries and a network of over 1,000 specialised dealmakers, the firm ranks among Axial’s Top 100 global M&A advisory firms.

As a partner in the Sharjah AcquireHub initiative, Transworld Business Advisors is spearheading the development of the platform’s operational framework, and will also deliver M&A readiness workshops for local businesses and launch an international matchmaking programme to connect vetted companies with prospective investors. In addition, it will lead targeted roadshows in high-potential global markets to promote strategic acquisition opportunities in Sharjah.

Curated investment opportunities across Sharjah will be featured on the Invest in Sharjah website and updated regularly. The platform enables company owners to register their interest in pursuing expansion or exit strategies. It also provides a gateway for investors seeking to enter the UAE market through well-structured, strategic transactions.

WAM