MENA startup funding jumps to $1.65 billion in Q3, with Saudi Arabia taking the lead

Startup investment across the Middle East and North Africa more than doubled in the third quarter of 2026, driven by a wave of large Saudi fintech deals that helped revive funding activity despite persistent geopolitical uncertainty. Yet the recovery remained heavily concentrated in a handful of companies and markets, raising questions about whether the momentum can extend across the wider ecosystem. Startups across MENA raised $1.65 billion through 145 deals between July and September, up 108%