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M&A Advisory · Saudi Arabia · UAE-Saudi Cross-Border · CFA-Led

M&A Advisory in Saudi Arabia, Buy-Side & Sell-Side M&A Advisors

Full-service M&A advisory for Saudi businesses and UAE-Saudi cross-border deals. Vision 2030-aligned mandates, PIF-connected fundraising, and Tadawul transaction support. Every engagement led by our senior CFA, CA and ACCA qualified team. Fees agreed upfront.

Direct Answer

M&A advisory in Saudi Arabia covers sell-side, buy-side, FDD, business valuation, fundraising, and UAE-Saudi cross-border transaction advisory for mid-market deals from SAR 5M across Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, and NEOM. Fees agreed upfront.

SAR 5M+
Minimum Deal Size
4–8 Months
Typical Sale Timeline
2%–5%
Fees Agreed Upfront
CFA-Led
CFA, CA & ACCA Every Engagement
Snapshot Zakat, CIT & Nitaqat Aware Senior-Led, CFA-Qualified Fees Agreed Upfront
Our Services

Full-Service M&A Advisory Across Saudi Arabia

Exit Advisory

Sell a Business Saudi Arabia

Managing the complete sale process for Saudi businesses across Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam, with Zakat/CIT structure and Nitaqat staffing analysis built into pre-sale preparation.

→ Pre-sale financial review and IVS-compliant valuation
→ CIM and management presentation preparation
→ Buyer identification — GCC strategic, UAE family offices, PIF-connected
→ SAMA, CMA, and MISA regulatory coordination
Acquisition Advisory

Buy a Business Saudi Arabia

Representing UAE, GCC, and international buyers acquiring Saudi businesses, including SAMA/CMA regulatory coordination and MISA foreign investment approvals.

→ Target identification — Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, NEOM corridor
→ Financial due diligence and quality of earnings
→ Independent valuation and price benchmarking
→ UAE-Saudi cross-border deal structuring
Transaction Support

Financial Due Diligence Saudi Arabia

Independent FDD identifying sustainable EBITDA normalised for the Zakat/CIT split, Nitaqat compliance costs, and government contract dependency.

→ Quality of earnings (QoE) and normalised EBITDA
→ Zakat vs CIT split analysis by ownership structure
→ VAT (15%) working capital and compliance review
→ Saudisation (Nitaqat) staffing cost analysis
Capital Advisory

Capital Raising Advisory Saudi Arabia

Fundraising from PIF-connected vehicles, GCC family offices, and Vision 2030-aligned growth investors, with investor-grade materials preparation.

→ Pre-raise independent valuation (IVS-compliant)
→ PIF-aligned and Saudi VC investor outreach support
→ Vision 2030 strategic narrative positioning
→ Series A through pre-IPO capital advisory
Cross-Border

UAE-Saudi Cross-Border Advisory

Specialist advisory for UAE businesses expanding into Saudi Arabia and Saudi businesses seeking UAE capital, buyers, or exits.

→ UAE-Saudi cross-border holding structure planning
→ SAMA and MISA foreign investment licensing
→ ADGM and DIFC holdco structures for Saudi acquisitions
→ Saudi CIT/Zakat and UAE CT cross-border analysis
Strategic Advisory

Exit Planning Saudi Arabia

Structured 12–36 month exit planning aligned with Vision 2030 sector priorities, Zakat/CIT optimisation, and Nitaqat compliance improvement.

→ Exit readiness and pre-sale financial preparation
→ Optimal holding structure planning
→ Earn-out and consideration structure design
→ Cross-border M&A structuring and DTA planning
Why Corvian Advisory

What Sets Us Apart for Saudi M&A

Saudi Arabia's Zakat/CIT split-ownership tax structure, Nitaqat Saudisation requirements, and PIF-connected privatisation pipeline demand specialist knowledge most cross-border advisors lack. Our UAE-Saudi cross-border expertise, direct GCC family office relationships, and Vision 2030 sector alignment give Saudi and international clients a real edge in every mandate.

"Vision 2030 is reshaping every sector of the Saudi economy. Advisors who understand PIF's mandates and the Zakat/CIT split have a decisive edge."

01Zakat/CIT Split-Ownership Expertise

We correctly model the Zakat (2.5%) / CIT (20%) split by ownership structure, a defining and frequently misunderstood feature of Saudi M&A.

02Vision 2030 Sector Alignment

Deep understanding of PIF's sectoral mandates and Vision 2030 KPIs that drive buyer premiums and privatisation deal flow.

03UAE-Saudi Cross-Border Specialists

Established relationships with GCC family offices and UAE corporates actively evaluating Saudi acquisitions and vice versa.

04Nitaqat & Saudisation Analysis

Specialist FDD assessment of Saudisation staffing costs, quota compliance, and visa restriction risk.

05CFA-Led Throughout

Our senior team works directly on every Saudi mandate from day one to close.

Saudi M&A Market

The Saudi Arabia M&A Landscape in 2025 & 2026

Saudi Arabia is executing the largest economic transformation programme in GCC history under Vision 2030, creating the region's deepest M&A pipeline across healthcare, fintech, entertainment, logistics, and giga-project supply chains. PIF's privatisation of government-owned assets, the NEOM/Red Sea/Qiddiyah/ROSHN giga-project supply chain, and a young, high-consumption population are together driving the GCC's highest M&A deal count and value.

SectorEV/EBITDAActivity
Healthcare & Medical9–16xVery Active
Fintech & Technology12–25xVery Active
Retail & Consumer6–11xActive
Logistics & Supply Chain7–12xGrowing
Education & Training8–14xGrowing
Entertainment & Hospitality7–13xGrowing
Financial Services (SAMA)8–14xStrategic
Giga-Project Supply Chain5–10xStrategic

Indicative EV/EBITDA multiples from Saudi and GCC mid-market comparable transactions. Source: Corvian Advisory analysis.

Structural Considerations

Key Regulatory & Tax Considerations for Saudi M&A

SAMA approval required for acquisitions of licensed banks, insurance companies, and financial institutions.
CMA oversight for Tadawul-listed company transactions, including mandatory tender offer thresholds.
Ministry of Commerce approval for commercial registration changes.
MISA (Ministry of Investment) approval for foreign investment in most sectors; certain sectors restricted.
Saudi Competition Authority review for transactions with material market impact.
20% CIT on non-Saudi/GCC shares; 2.5% Zakat on Saudi/GCC shares. VAT is 15%.
Nitaqat (Saudisation) staffing quotas affect QoE labour cost normalisation.
Business Valuation Saudi Arabia

Need an Independent
Business Valuation in Saudi Arabia?

Business valuation is a separate discipline from M&A advisory. Our dedicated Saudi Arabia Business Valuation page covers the full range of independent valuation services with local currency pricing and Saudi regulatory context.

Independent Business Valuation Services Saudi Arabia

CFA-led, IVS-compliant business valuations for Saudi companies — business & company valuation, startup valuation, ESOP & share valuation, intangible asset & IP valuation, purchase price allocation (IFRS 3 PPA), goodwill impairment testing (IAS 36), brand & trademark valuation, and digital asset valuation.

Fixed-fee, from SAR 7,500. Delivered in 5–10 business days.

View Saudi Arabia Business Valuation Services →
Our Process

How We Run a Saudi M&A Transaction

01
Pre-Sale Readiness

Independent valuation, Zakat/CIT split analysis, SAMA or CMA regulatory requirements.

02
CIM & Materials

CIM with normalised EBITDA, Zakat/CIT position, Nitaqat staffing analysis.

03
Buyer Outreach

Confidential approach to UAE, GCC, and PIF-connected buyers under NDA.

04
DD & Negotiation

Manage buyer DD; negotiate terms including SAMA/CMA regulatory timetable.

05
Close & Completion

SPA execution, SAMA/CMA/MISA approvals where required, transaction close.

The Numbers Behind the Claim

Why Saudi Deals Move Faster With Us

100%
Fees agreed in writing before work begins – no hourly billing, no surprises
2
Regulatory regimes modelled from day one: Zakat/CIT split ownership and Nitaqat staffing classification
4–8
Months typical timeline, versus 6–12 months for advisors built around large-cap mandates
1
Senior lead on your file throughout – not a partner at signing and a junior team afterward
From the Deal Room

Two Saudi Mandates, Briefly

Riyadh · Industrial Services

Sell-side mandate for a Riyadh industrial services group. Normalising EBITDA and clarifying the Zakat/CIT ownership split before the CIM went out was what ultimately closed the gap between the seller's price expectation and what the buyer's own diligence confirmed. Party names withheld by agreement.

Jeddah · Logistics

Buy-side target search and FDD supporting a PIF-adjacent investor's bolt-on acquisition of a Jeddah logistics operator. Commercial terms not disclosed at the client's request.

FAQ

M&A Advisory Saudi Arabia – FAQ

What M&A advisory services are available for Saudi businesses?
Sell-side, buy-side, FDD, business valuation, fundraising, and UAE-Saudi cross-border advisory from SAR 5M deal size.
How much does M&A advisory cost in Saudi Arabia?
Fees are agreed upfront. FDD: SAR 10,000–60,000. Business valuation: SAR 7,500–40,000.
What are the key regulatory considerations for M&A in Saudi Arabia?
SAMA, CMA, Ministry of Commerce, MISA, and Saudi Competition Authority depending on transaction type.
Does Saudi Arabia have corporate income tax?
20% CIT on non-Saudi/GCC shares; 2.5% Zakat on Saudi/GCC shares. VAT is 15%.
Can UAE buyers acquire Saudi businesses?
Yes, GCC entities receive national treatment; non-GCC investors need MISA licensing.
How does Vision 2030 affect M&A in Saudi Arabia?
Drives privatisation, growth capital demand, and strategic buyer interest across Vision 2030-aligned sectors.
What is Saudisation (Nitaqat) and how does it affect M&A?
Minimum Saudi employment quotas that affect QoE labour cost normalisation and compliance risk assessment.
How long does financial due diligence take in Saudi Arabia?
3–5 weeks typically; longer for complex Zakat/CIT or Nitaqat profiles.
How do I sell my business in Saudi Arabia?
Independent valuation, CIM and data room preparation, confidential buyer outreach under NDA, heads of terms negotiation, and legal documentation and close. Requires Zakat/CIT split analysis, VAT compliance review, and Saudisation cost normalisation. A typical sale takes 4–8 months.
Do you need a business valuation before selling a Saudi business?
A pre-sale valuation is a distinct service from M&A advisory. It establishes a realistic price expectation and correctly handles the Zakat/CIT split-ownership structure that affects Saudi company valuations. A pre-sale valuation is included in every M&A sell-side mandate at no additional cost.
What sectors are most active for M&A in Saudi Arabia?
Healthcare (private hospital and clinic networks), fintech and technology (SAMA licensing regime), retail and consumer, logistics (giga-project supply chain), education, and entertainment/hospitality. UAE buyers are the most active international acquirers of Saudi mid-market businesses.
What is Vision 2030 and how does it affect M&A?
Saudi Arabia's economic transformation programme targeting diversification away from oil. For M&A: PIF privatisation creates structured acquisition opportunities, Vision 2030-aligned businesses attract premium valuations, and giga-project supply chain businesses are priority acquisition targets for UAE and international groups.
What does business valuation cost in Saudi Arabia?
Typically SAR 7,500 to SAR 40,000 depending on business complexity. Startup valuations start at SAR 7,500; IFRS 3 PPA reports start at SAR 10,000. All fees fixed and agreed before work begins. Turnaround: 5–10 business days.
Client Feedback

What Our Clients Say

"We were a Saudi family business in healthcare seeking a UAE strategic acquirer. Corvian correctly modelled our Zakat position, normalised our Saudisation costs, and ran a process that generated competitive offers from three UAE buyers. The final price exceeded our pre-mandate valuation."

CEO, Saudi Healthcare Group
Sell a Business · Saudi Arabia

"As a UAE investment company targeting a Saudi fintech acquisition, we needed advisors who understood the Vision 2030 regulatory context and could deliver FDD with correct Zakat/CIT treatment. Corvian's report was the clearest Saudi FDD we have received. They identified a VAT compliance gap that reduced our price materially."

Investment Director, UAE Investment Company
Buy a Business & FDD · Saudi Arabia

"We needed a SAR-denominated business valuation for a Saudi retail business for a board presentation with a Vision 2030 investor. Corvian delivered in eight business days with a full IVS-compliant report that correctly handled the Zakat position. Accepted without revision."

CFO, GCC Private Equity Fund
Business Valuation · Saudi Arabia

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