Middle East CEOs remain world’s most confident despite global uncertainty

Middle East chief executives remain among the most confident globally, with 88 per cent expecting economic growth to strengthen in their own territories and 93 per cent across the GCC, compared with 55 per cent of CEOs worldwide, according to the latest findings from the 29th Global CEO Survey by PwC.

Based on insights from more than 300 CEOs across the Middle East, the survey highlights sustained confidence heading into 2026, underpinned by continued capital deployment, accelerating artificial intelligence adoption and selective expansion into new sectors, despite ongoing geopolitical uncertainty and trade tensions.

Hani Ashkar, Territory Senior Partner, PwC Middle East, said: “These findings reflect the strong underlying confidence we are seeing across the Middle East. CEOs in the region are resilient and are ready to deploy capital for long-term growth.

“It is particularly encouraging to see the region rank highly in CEOs’ global investment plans. Supported by national transformation agendas and sustained investment in artificial intelligence, the Middle East is well positioned to compete, adapt and grow.”

Middle East CEO confidence

The survey shows the GCC continues to consolidate its position as a global investment hub, with Saudi Arabia and the UAE ranked among the world’s top ten global investment destinations, reinforcing their role as anchor markets for international and intra-regional capital.

Middle East businesses are also the most active globally when it comes to investing beyond their home markets.

Around 88 per cent of CEOs plan to invest outside their domestic territories, with almost three quarters of those investments expected to remain within the Middle East, signalling deeper regional integration and growing confidence in local value creation.

AI uptake across the Middle East and the GCC significantly exceeds global averages. More than one third of regional leaders report integrating AI directly into their offerings, compared with fewer than one in five globally.

Adoption is strongest in demand generation functions such as sales, marketing and customer service, where 39 per cent of Middle East CEOs and 43 per cent of GCC CEOs report extensive AI use. Uptake is also strong across support services, with nearly 40 per cent of Middle East CEOs deploying AI, well above global benchmarks.

AI adoption in business

The survey also found that 80 per cent of regional business leaders believe their organisational culture enables AI adoption, while 70 per cent report having a clearly defined AI roadmap. As AI deployment accelerates, CEOs increasingly recognise the need to strengthen data readiness and governance before scaling across the value chain.

M&A appetite remains strong, with 72 per cent of CEOs in the region planning a major acquisition over the next three years. Deal activity is increasingly focused on capability-building, as leaders look to strengthen skills, talent and data to support long-term growth.

Sector expansion is also accelerating. Around 60 per cent of regional CEOs are already competing in new sectors, with nearly half planning to expand into technology-led industries, almost 40 per cent into consumer markets, and close to a third into industrials and services.

Near-term caution, long-term dynamism

Geopolitical conflict remains the region’s most significant concern and is shaping boardroom decision-making. While near-term caution is evident, CEOs are choosing to invest through uncertainty rather than wait for stability.

Around 60 per cent of Middle East CEOs said they can lead effectively through disruption, while 42 per cent believe they can create new business opportunities arising from such challenges.

As a strategic response to geopolitical risk, nearly 30 per cent of CEOs in the region and 32 per cent of GCC CEOs expect to reconfigure supply chains. Almost one in five indicated plans to restructure tax obligations, while 17 per cent are prepared to exit markets deemed too risky.

This resilience is translating into performance. In the current fiscal year, companies in the region reported average revenue growth of 12 per cent, compared with 8 per cent globally, alongside stronger profit margins.

Risk v opportunity

Mona Abou Hana, Chief Corporate and Network Officer, PwC Middle East, said: “Middle East CEOs are not deterred by global risk, they are planning through it. What stands out is the discipline behind their confidence.

“Leaders across the region are investing with intention in AI, cybersecurity and new capabilities because they understand that resilience today is built through action. In a more uncertain global environment, the Middle East is emerging as a magnet for capital and long-term growth.”

The findings point to a more deliberate growth agenda across the region, with CEOs balancing risk and opportunity, accelerating AI integration into core business models, and deploying capital and M&A strategically to build future-ready capabilities and sustainable long-term value.