GlobalData announces the leading financial and legal advisers for M&A in the Middle East and Africa during Q1–Q3 2026
GlobalData has announced the latest Financial and Legal Adviser League Tables, which rank advisers by the total value and volume of merger and acquisition (M&A) deals on which they acted as advisers in the Middle East and Africa during Q1–Q3 2026.
Financial Advisers
Goldman Sachs and Rothschild & Co are the leading M&A financial advisers in the Middle East and Africa during Q1–Q3 2026
Goldman Sachs and Rothschild & Co were the leading financial advisers for mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the Middle East and Africa region during the first three quarters (Q1–Q3) of 2026 in terms of value and volume, respectively, according to the latest financial advisers league table published by GlobalData, a leading intelligence and productivity platform.
An analysis of GlobalData’s Deals Database reveals that Goldman Sachs took the top spot in terms of value, having advised on deals worth $34.8 billion. Meanwhile, Rothschild & Co led in terms of volume, having advised on a total of seven deals.
Aurojyoti Bose, Lead Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Rothschild & Co was the leading adviser by volume during Q1–Q3 2025 and retained its top ranking during Q1–Q3 2026 as well. It also ranked 10th by value.”
“Meanwhile, Goldman Sachs climbed the value ranking chart from fourth place to the top spot. It saw a massive year-on-year increase in the total value of deals it advised on, driven by its involvement in the $33.4 billion deal for the acquisition of The AES by a consortium of investors.”
KPMG ranked second in terms of value, having advised on deals worth $7.5 billion, followed by JPMorgan with $6.7 billion, Morgan Stanley with $6.6 billion, and Guggenheim Partners with $6.2 billion.
Meanwhile, Lazard ranked second in terms of volume with four deals, followed by Goldman Sachs with three deals, KPMG with three deals, and JPMorgan with three deals.
Legal Advisers
Kirkland & Ellis and White & Case are the leading M&A legal advisers in the Middle East & Africa during Q1–Q3 2026
Kirkland & Ellis and White & Case were the leading legal advisers on mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the Middle East and Africa region during the first three quarters (Q1–Q3) of 2026 in terms of value and volume, respectively, according to the latest legal advisers league table published by GlobalData, a leading intelligence and productivity platform.
An analysis of GlobalData’s Deals Database reveals that Kirkland & Ellis took the top spot in terms of value, having advised on deals worth $33.4 billion. Meanwhile, White & Case led in terms of volume, having advised on a total of 12 deals.
Aurojyoti Bose, Lead Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “White & Case was the leading adviser by volume during Q1–Q3 2025 and retained its leading position by this metric during Q1–Q3 2026 as well, despite experiencing a year-on-year decline in the total number of deals it advised on. Furthermore, it was one of only two advisers to achieve a double-digit deal volume during Q1–Q3 2026.
“Meanwhile, Kirkland & Ellis also saw a decline in the total value of deals on which it acted as counsel, yet it not only managed to lead by value but also outperformed its peers by a significant margin. Its involvement in the $33.4 billion deal for the acquisition of The AES by a consortium of investors played a pivotal role in keeping Kirkland & Ellis well ahead of its peers.”
A&O Shearman ranked second in terms of value, having advised on deals worth $9.2 billion, followed by Sullivan & Cromwell with $6.4 billion, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer with $6.2 billion, and Meitar Law Offices with $5.9 billion.
Meanwhile, Baker McKenzie ranked second in terms of volume with 10 deals, followed by A&O Shearman with nine deals, DLA Piper with nine deals, and Meitar Law Offices with five deals.
