Gulf SWFs capture 43% of global deal activity in 2025

Top sovereign wealth funds across the Gulf region captured 43% of the total deal activity in 2025, as regional governments ramp up spending across industries. 

The GCC’s largest and most active sovereign wealth funds, including Abu Dhabi’s ADIA, ADQ, Dubai’s Mubadala Investment Company, Kuwait Investment Authority, Qatar Investment Authority and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, spent $119 billion in 2025, up 43% on the previous year.

Saudi’s PIF was the most active regional spender of the year with investments worth $36.2 billion. Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala ran it close investing $33.7 billion as the emirate deploys its financial firepower to leap into the top echelons of powerhouse investors. 

Total assets controlled by sovereign wealth funds reached $15 trillion by the end of 2025, owed to the rally in financial markets, new government inflows and the establishment of new vehicles.

Coupled with pension funds, central banks and state-owned investors, the total assets reached an aggregated $60 trillion.

The US emerged as the main recipient of capital, absorbing 47% of all sovereign investments in 2025. Europe and Developed Asia-Pacific also received more capital than in 2024, while emerging markets - especially China, India, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia – slipped 26% drop year-on-year.