BUSINESSSEMAFOR
Middle East venture capital collapses as international investors retreat
Venture capital deal-making in the Middle East and North Africa fell to a five-year low in the first half of 2026, with a 41% year-on-year drop in deals and a 22% decline in funding to $1.35 billion. International investors are retreating, and geopolitical tensions, combined with limited local capital, are stifling startup growth, according to Magnitt, a venture capital data platform.
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