The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is preparing for a significant surge in debt repayments, with sovereign and corporate bond and sukuk maturities projected to skyrocket from $30.7 billion in 2026 to a record $143.1 billion by 2029. According to a recent report by Kamco Invest, the region is facing nearly half a trillion dollars in obligations between 2026 and 2030. While Saudi Arabia carries the heaviest overall burden due to extensive government borrowing, the UAE has emerged as the clear leader in corporate debt, particularly within its banking and real estate sectors. Specifically, UAE banks face a repayment load of $88.9 billion, marking the highest sector-specific exposure in the region.

Market activity remains robust, with total GCC bond and sukuk issuance climbing over 14% to $116.8 billion in the first half of 2026 alone. While conventional bonds currently dominate the landscape, the region continues to navigate a complex environment defined by the need to refinance maturing debt, support government deficits amid fluctuating oil revenues, and fund major infrastructure projects. Although the outlook for 2026 remains strong—with the UAE leading in green finance initiatives—analysts caution that geopolitical instability in the Middle East remains a primary risk factor that could potentially disrupt issuance timelines and increase borrowing costs across the region.