Piper Sandler Expands GCC Footprint with MENA Growth Partners Acquisition

Piper Sandler, the Minneapolis-based investment bank, has struck a deal to acquire MENA Growth Partners, a merchant bank rooted in Abu Dhabi. The move, once finalised, will cement Abu Dhabi as Piper Sandler’s strategic hub for investment banking work across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). It’s a clever play, if you ask me, weaving decades of regional know-how into the company’s global fabric.

Eric Wilson, who founded MENA Growth Partners, will step in as a consultant alongside his seasoned team. Between them, they’ve clocked up more than 40 years of experience helping build and finance some of the Middle East’s more forward-thinking ventures. Their local connections — from sovereign wealth funds to tech players — are likely to prove invaluable as Piper Sandler spreads its wings in sectors like energy, healthcare, and private capital advisory.

James Baker, who co-heads Piper Sandler’s global investment banking and capital markets division, said the firm was “excited to expand our presence through this new partnership and strategic office location.” A fairly measured statement, yet it does hint at the level of ambition behind the deal.

Wilson himself sounded rather chuffed about it, pointing out that around 40% of the world’s sovereign wealth assets sit in the GCC and that two-thirds of the global population is within an eight-hour flight. “After building long-term relationships in the region since 1983, I am proud to play a role in bringing Piper Sandler to one of the most exciting markets across the globe,” he said.

Once the transaction wraps — expected sometime in early 2026, assuming all goes to plan — Nabeel Siddiqui from the bank’s London office will move to Abu Dhabi to helm operations while keeping an eye on his existing European portfolio. Sounds like a bit of a juggling act, to be fair, but it shows the level of trust the firm’s putting in him.

Al Tamimi & Company is advising Piper Sandler on the legal front, with MENA Growth Partners getting counsel from Charles Russell Speechlys and support from TMF Group. Personally, I reckon this combination of local and international advisory firepower signals just how serious both sides are about making the integration stick.

From an Arageek perspective, it’s always refreshing to see global firms deepening their roots in the MENA region rather than just dipping a toe. These kinds of partnerships often spark new opportunities for emerging startups, especially those eyeing cross-border capital flows. I remember chatting with a founder once who called these deals “mini bridges” — connecting regional optimism with global capital. That stuck with me.

So yes, while the ink isn’t dry yet (and deals like this can be a bit of a faff to finalise), the intent is clear: Piper Sandler wants to play a long game in the Middle East. And honestly, it’s about time more international houses recognised the GCC for what it is — not just a capital hub but a breeding ground for bold, inventive business. That said, execution will be everything. We’ve seen big names enter before, only to retreat quietly after a few tricky years. But if Piper Sandler leans properly on MENA Growth Partners’ local nous, this could turn out, well… spot on.

Let’s keep an eye on how it all unfolds. For those of us at Arageek who spend our days championing entrepreneurship in the region, stories like this definately remind us just how intertwined global ambition and regional expertise have become.

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