GCC Business Leaders Confident in Revenue Growth for 2025

Most (88%) executives in the region implemented GenAI in 2024, and 70% believe GenAI will increase profitability in 2025, according to research from PwC. 

By Maggie Mancini

CEOs in the Middle East are among the most confident globally about revenue growth in 2025, as revealed in PwC’s recent survey. The survey finds that regional chief executives are acutely aware of the huge wave of disruptive change, primarily driven by AI, climate challenges, and an intensifying competition over new domains of growth as industry lines blur.  

The regional findings reveal strong confidence among CEOs in their companies’ revenue growth, with those in the GCC particularly optimistic about revenue growth in 2025 (90%). More than half (61%) of GCC CEOs also expect to increase headcount this year, compared to just 42% of their global peers, and up from 55% in 2024. However, one-third (34%) cite skills shortages as a major concern.  

Over half (60%) of regional CEOs now believe their businesses will not survive within the next 10 years or less without significant adaptation—a notable increase from last year, when less than half expressed similar concerns.  

CEOs in the Middle East recognise that traditional models of business are increasingly unsustainable in the face of transformative catalytic shifts, primarily driven by AI, the climate crisis, and industry convergence. Most (88%) of GCC CEOs have adopted GenAI in the last 12 months, exceeding global averages and reflecting greater confidence in the technology’s potential.  

Nearly three-quarters (70%) of GCC CEOs also believe that GenAI will increase profitability in 2025. On climate, 79% of regional CEOs have initiated climate-friendly investments in the last five years. Nearly half (43%) of regional CEOs indicate they are competing in new sectors or industries, 52% have targeted a new customer base within the last five years, and 72% expect to do a deal outside of their industry or sector in the next three years. 

CEOs in the Middle East cite cyber risks, geopolitical conflict, tech disruption and a shortage of skilled workers among their main concerns for 2025, the report finds.