The Sharjah FDI Office, known as Invest in Sharjah, has introduced ‘Sharjah AcquireHub’, marking the region’s first government-backed digital platform designed to streamline mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in Sharjah. This initiative, developed in partnership with Transworld Business Advisors, aims to boost economic growth, enhance market resilience, and attract high-quality investments to Sharjah by providing a transparent and secure environment for M&A transactions.

Sharjah AcquireHub caters to a variety of stakeholders, including international investors, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), entrepreneurs, and local businesses. It connects available capital with promising opportunities in the emirate. The platform improves market liquidity and offers flexible solutions for growth, strategic exits, or corporate restructuring. Its comprehensive process incorporates easy online registration, customized advisory support, and assistance post-transaction, all underpinned by strict confidentiality measures like non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) and thorough due diligence.

This structured environment empowers investors, buyers, and financiers with the clarity and protections necessary to confidently pursue acquisitions or strategic partnerships. It also provides a reliable platform for business owners in Sharjah seeking to exit, enabling them to list their companies for potential acquisition.

The platform was established following a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between Mohamed Juma Al Musharrkh, CEO of Invest in Sharjah, and Ahmad Ibrahim, CEO of Transworld GCC, in the presence of Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer, CEO of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq). This collaboration highlights Sharjah’s dedication to fostering strong public-private partnerships and improving the efficiency and competitiveness of its investment ecosystem.

Sharjah AcquireHub serves as a strategic entry point for investors looking for high-potential opportunities in the emirate, especially within the lucrative mid-market segment. It provides advanced tools and clear pathways to engage with the global M&A landscape, which reached a substantial value of US$ 3.5 trillion in 2024, representing a 15% increase from the previous year, according to Bain & Company.

The platform responds to the rising momentum in M&A and exit activities at the regional level, with 701 deals worth $92.3 billion recorded across regional markets in 2024, as reported in the EY MENA M&A Report. This upward trend underscores the need for a locally-rooted yet globally-aligned platform that offers secure, regulated support for facilitating strategic transactions.

Additionally, Sharjah AcquireHub presents a strategic opportunity for SMEs and entrepreneurs to integrate into a broader growth environment through partnerships and alliances that support development, secure exits, or repositioning. This initiative contributes to the stability of the SME sector, which accounts for over 94% of businesses in the UAE. In 2024, Sharjah witnessed significant growth in business establishment and sustainability, with 71,320 new and renewed licenses issued, reflecting a 7% increase.

At the macroeconomic level, Sharjah AcquireHub acts as a facilitator of innovation and economic transformation, providing a more agile and effective means of restructuring and capital allocation. By directing resources towards high-value projects and enterprises, the platform empowers policymakers to prioritize strategic sectors, thereby promoting economic diversification and reducing reliance on traditional industries.

The launch of this platform reinforces Sharjah’s commitment to creating an integrated investment environment supported by a long-term economic vision. With a focus on a knowledge-based, diversified economy and consistent support for key sectors like industry, technology, and healthcare, Sharjah is well-positioned to become a regional hub for impactful M&A activity.

According to Gulf Today, Mohamed Juma Al Musharrkh, CEO of Invest in Sharjah, expressed that the collaboration with Transworld Business Advisors is aimed at positioning the emirate as a regional center for M&A. He emphasized that the platform reflects the evolving dynamics of business and reinforces Sharjah’s leadership in shaping the future of investment in the region.

Ahmad Ibrahim, CEO of Transworld GCC, noted that they are proud to be part of this partnership, which highlights meaningful collaboration in building a cohesive and sustainable investment ecosystem. He stated that they are confident in the platform’s potential long-term impact on enhancing the investment landscape and unlocking new growth opportunities.

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

As a contributor to the Sharjah AcquireHub initiative, Transworld Business Advisors is developing the operational framework of the platform. They will also provide M&A readiness workshops for local businesses and initiate an international matchmaking program to connect vetted companies with prospective investors. Furthermore, they plan to conduct targeted roadshows in high-potential global markets to promote strategic acquisition opportunities in Sharjah.

Curated investment opportunities throughout Sharjah will be showcased on the Invest in Sharjah website and updated regularly. The platform allows company owners to express interest in pursuing expansion or exit strategies. It also serves as a gateway for investors aiming to enter the UAE market via well-structured, strategic transactions.