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Gulf Daily News reported that regulatory reforms and economic diversification programmes have accelerated the adoption of public-private partnerships throughout the Middle East and North Africa. The Bahrain publication highlighted the UAE’s emergence as a frontrunner through federal legislation introduced in 2022 alongside emirate-specific frameworks in Abu Dhabi and Dubai that have enabled multiple transport, utilities and social infrastructure deals. These initiatives have drawn international investors seeking long-term concessions while easing the burden on government budgets amid sustained development targets.
A MEED analysis published last month showed the UAE achieved the highest score of 1.52 on GlobalData’s Construction Projects Momentum Index in June, well above the Mena regional average of 0.84 that rose from 0.80 the previous month. Infrastructure activity led the gains with the sector index climbing sharply to 1.03 from 0.25 while residential momentum stayed elevated near 1.17. The data service noted execution-stage projects provided the main uplift even as pre-execution planning softened slightly across parts of the region.
Abu Dhabi launched Dh55 billion in public-private partnership projects spanning transport, infrastructure and social sectors earlier this year, The National reported in May. The emirate joined Adnoc, BlackRock’s Global Infrastructure Partners and Singapore’s Temasek in a planned $30 billion infrastructure partnership targeting energy, water, transport, digital and waste assets across the Gulf and Central Asia with selective Mena opportunities. Such partnerships reflect sustained efforts to blend equity and debt for projects that deliver stable cash yields while supporting economic diversification.
Saudi Arabia’s National Centre for Privatisation continues to advance an extensive pipeline with MEED reporting the kingdom is powering a $190 billion public-private partnership push under Vision 2030 that covers utilities, transport and social infrastructure. Awards in the power and water sectors have tripled in recent years with the combined market now valued at $387 billion including schemes already under construction and at tender. The kingdom approved more than 200 projects across 17 sectors in recent years drawing both domestic and foreign participants.
MEED figures show more than $147 billion in public-private partnership contracts were awarded across the Mena region over the past decade with an additional $332 billion planned and unawarded led by power, transport and water schemes. Non-GCC activity has increased with Iraq emerging as a leader in project finance outside the Gulf through airport redevelopments and other concessions expected to total $19.2 billion this year. The trend has been supported by maturing regulatory environments that improve risk allocation and project bankability according to industry assessments.
