Mohammed Alardhi, Chairman of Investcorp, anticipates a revival in initial public offerings across the Gulf Cooperation Council region in 2026, citing improved macroeconomic conditions and growing appetite for equity investments among institutional and retail investors.
- 12 potential IPOs under preparation across GCC in January 2026, up from 5 in 2025
- Projected Gulf IPO proceeds of $12.8 billion in 2026, up from $7.2 billion in 2025
- Qatar Exchange saw 37% year-on-year increase in IPO applications
- Investcorp preparing $2.5 billion fund for regional public equities
- Investcorp evaluating listing of $4.3 billion infrastructure portfolio
- Abu Dhabi Global Market and Qatar Exchange identified as key IPO platforms
Mohammed Alardhi, Chairman of Investcorp, signaled a turnaround in Gulf capital markets during a pre-World Economic Forum appearance on Bloomberg Television. He highlighted a notable uptick in deal flow and readiness among regional firms to go public, particularly in sectors such as technology, healthcare, and renewable energy. Alardhi noted that at least 12 potential IPOs were under active preparation across the GCC as of January 2026, up from just five in the same period the previous year. The outlook reflects a broader shift in investor confidence, with regional sovereign wealth funds and private equity players increasing allocations to public equities. Alardhi pointed to the UAE’s Abu Dhabi Global Market and Qatar’s Qatar Exchange as key platforms driving this momentum, with the latter seeing a 37% increase in IPO applications year-on-year. Market analysts project that total Gulf IPO proceeds could reach $12.8 billion in 2026, compared to $7.2 billion in 2025. Investcorp itself is preparing to launch a new fund focused on regional public market opportunities, targeting $2.5 billion in commitments by mid-2026. The firm is also considering a strategic listing of its own regional infrastructure portfolio, valued at approximately $4.3 billion, as part of a broader effort to deepen public market liquidity. This growing momentum is expected to benefit a range of stakeholders, including national stock exchanges, asset managers, underwriters, and private companies seeking to expand via public capital. The improved environment may also encourage greater cross-border investment, with Gulf-based funds increasing exposure to international markets through dual-listing strategies.