Ali K. Shaikley

ALI SHAIKLEY has significant experience handling complex cross-border corporate, M&A, and equity capital market transactions across the Middle East, Europe, North America, Asia, and Africa. A trusted adviser, he represents large multinational corporations, private equity sponsors, family offices, and other investors on mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings (IPOs)/equity capital markets transactions, private equity and venture capital transactions, joint ventures, and general corporate and commercial advisory work.

Ali is particularly known for leading high-profile and innovative transactions in and connected to the Middle East and North Africa, including landmark IPOs, privatizations, strategic investments, and cross-border business combinations.

He is a leading figure within Sidley’s Middle East offering, including our United Arab Emirates (UAE) Commercial, Corporate and M&A practice, which is ranked in Legal 500 EMEA 2026. Clients say the team combines the “uncompromising deal-making rigor of Wall Street and the relational, context-sensitive approach needed in the Middle East” which “makes them not just advisors but true partners in executing transactions.”

Ali has earned notable awards and acknowledgement in numerous industry publications, including:

• Chambers Global – Ranked for Corporate M&A and Capital Markets: Equity, UAE (Expertise Based Abroad) (2023 – 2026). Clients describe Ali as being “very easy to work with and professional” and “always there when you need him,” noting that he “understands the commercial side of the business as well as what is legally required.” Other respondents praise Ali as being “even-keeled so he doesn’t seem to buckle under pressure” and “able to really step in and calm the room.” Ali was also ranked for Middle East-wide Capital Markets: Equity (2023 – 2025) and Corporate M&A (2024 – 2025).
•  Legal 500 UAE – Recommended for Corporate and M&A (2026). Ali was also ranked as a “Next Generation Partner” for Corporate and M&A (2022), where sources remarked that “despite being an international lawyer, he is very locally aware and this mix of international and local is what makes the difference.”
• IFLR1000 – “Highly Regarded” in M&A and Equity Capital Markets (2019 – 2025).

Ali is fluent in both written and spoken Arabic.

Recent examples of Ali’s work include advising: 

M&A/Private Equity

• On the establishment of Gulf Partners Group, an upcoming Middle East private equity investment firm focused on alternative investments.
• FAS Group in connection with the acquisition of FAS Renewables, a distributed solar provider, by I Squared Capital.
• A global investment firm on its multibillion-dollar joint venture with a global sovereign investor to invest in, and secure the supply of, strategic metals and minerals.
• Tahweel Integrated Company, a Saudi Arabian leader in the cast pallet-wrap stretch film market, known for delivering tailored industrial solutions across Asia and Europe, on its SAR 3 billion business combination with Nile Investment Limited.
• FAS Group in connection with the acquisition of FAS Renewables, a distributed solar provider, by I Squared Capital.
• A sovereign wealth fund on its acquisition of a stake in a Middle Eastern private equity manager.
• A global technology company on numerous early stage investments and bolt-on acquisitions in the U.S. and Asia.
• A family office on its investment in a joint venture established by a leading regional developer, which partnered with a sovereign-backed investment platform to develop a landmark branded residential project in the GCC.
• A number of fund managers on establishing regulated fund businesses in the GCC.
• Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds on multiple investments in U.S. asset managers.
• Family offices on multiple investments in funds investing in U.S. frontier technology and artificial intelligence companies.
• A family office on its investment in a fund focused on the development and expansion of a U.S. data center platform.
• Yellow Door Energy on the sale of a majority stake to a fund managed by private equity firm Actis.
• The Saudi Agricultural and Livestock Investment Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund, on the acquisition of 35.43% stake in Olam Agri Holdings for SAR 4.65 billion.
• Zakher Marine International on its acquisition by ADNOC Logistics & Services, the shipping and maritime logistics arm of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company.
• HWH Investments in the acquisition by Lagardère Travel Retail of a majority interest in Creative Table Holdings Ltd.
• United Arab Chemical Carriers in its acquisition by United Overseas Group (by way of the first-ever reverse triangular merger in the DIFC.
• Mumzworld, a UAE-based mother, baby, and child e-commerce platform, on the sale of its business to a subsidiary of the Tamer Group.
• Goldilocks Investment Company in its business combination with Eshraq Investments.
• TruKKer, the largest digital freight network in the MENA region and Central Asia, on its Series B and Series C fundraises.
• International Holding Company PJSC on its business combination with Pal Cooling Holding.
• Al Qudra Holding PJSC in its business combination with Al Tamouh Investments.
• United Al Saqer Group LLC on its subscription for US$70 million of redeemable exchangeable preference shares in Hygienic Holding Group Ltd.
• NMC Health on its US$207 million acquisition of Cosmesurge from Emirates Hospitals Group.
• A large international private equity fund on the acquisition of a majority interest in a UAE-based school group.
• The shareholders of Best Global Brands on the two-phased sale of the company to Distell (total transaction value of nearly US$600 million).
• A GCC sovereign wealth fund on the sale of its portfolio company in the financial services sector.
• Labregah Real Estate Company and Barwa Real Estate on the acquisition of US$5.3 billion of assets comprising major real estate projects, including Barwa City and Barwa Commercial Avenue, and a significant stake in Barwa Bank.

 Equity Capital Markets

• DEWA on its US$6.1 billion IPO on the DFM, the largest ever IPO in the UAE.
• Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation (Empower) on its IPO on the DFM.
• The underwriters on the IPO of BinDawood Holding on the Tadawul.
• Taleem Holdings on its IPO on the DFM.
• The underwriters on the IPO of Al Ansari Financial Services.
• The shareholder (Borealis) in connection with the IPO of Borouge on the ADX.
• Emirates NBD Capital Limited and EFG-Hermes UAE Limited on the initial public offering of shares of ENBD REIT (CEIC) Limited, a Shari’a-compliant REIT, and its listing on Nasdaq Dubai.
• ADES International Holding on its IPO on the London Stock Exchange. This was the first DIFC company to carry out a listing solely on the London Stock Exchange.

*Some of the above matters were handled prior to joining Sidley.

 

 

Ali maintains an active pro bono practice, including having worked with organizations like the World Bank, and various charities active in the MENA region.