Day: October 27, 2026

Back for Its 6th Edition, PPP MENA Forum Returns as Billions Move Into the Region’s Next Infrastructure Pipeline

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With at least AED 95 billion in announced PPP pipelines across Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the Forum returns as public and private sector partners move from ambition to the financing, structuring and delivery of the region’s next generation of infrastructure.

Dubai, UAE: Back for its sixth edition, the PPP MENA Forum returns to Dubai at a defining moment for public-private partnerships across the Middle East and North Africa. Across the region, ambitious development programmes are moving from vision to delivery, placing renewed focus on how infrastructure and public services can be financed, structured and operated at scale.

That shift is increasingly visible in the flow of private capital. Private investment in infrastructure across MENA reached approximately US$54 billion in 2023, up from US$19 billion a year earlier, reflecting a broader move towards models that align public-sector priorities with private-sector capital, specialist expertise and long-term delivery capability.

Nowhere is that momentum more evident than in the UAE. Dubai has identified an AED 40 billion PPP portfolio comprising 30 projects across 10 strategic sectors, including water and sewerage, transport, healthcare, waste management, smart cities, housing, culture and public amenities. Among the largest projects is the AED 25 billion Dubai Strategic Sewerage Tunnels project, structured under a design, build, finance, operate, and maintain model.

Abu Dhabi is advancing an equally significant programme, with an AED 55 billion PPP pipeline comprising 24 infrastructure projects expected to come to market in 2026 and 2027. Together, the announced pipelines in Dubai and Abu Dhabi represent at least AED 95 billion in PPP opportunities, underscoring the scale at which private sector participation is being embedded in the UAE’s infrastructure agenda.

Against this backdrop, the 6th PPP MENA Forum 2026 will take place on 10–11 November 2026 at Palazzo Versace Dubai, bringing together the government entities shaping project pipelines and the investors, developers, lenders, contractors, operators and advisors positioned to finance and deliver them.

Held under the theme “A New Era of Opportunity: Building a Stronger, More Resilient MENA Through PPPs,” the two-day Forum will focus on the practical conditions required to move projects from policy and procurement into bankable, investable and deliverable partnerships.

The scope of PPP activity is also expanding well beyond the sectors traditionally associated with such partnerships. While transport, power, water and utilities remain central to the market, partnership models are increasingly being explored across healthcare, education, housing, real estate, logistics, sports infrastructure, culture and wider social infrastructure, reflecting the growing role of PPPs in both economic and social development.

A major focus of the Forum will be the evolution of procurement and financing models, including project preparation, risk allocation, bankability, contractual structures, and the role of innovation and digitalisation in improving how projects are assessed, procured and delivered. Regional case studies will provide practical perspectives on what it takes to move complex projects from planning and financing through to implementation.

The scale of the Forum reflects the growing breadth of the stakeholder ecosystem surrounding PPP development. More than 500 attendees are expected, including 150 government delegates, over 25 VIP dignitaries and more than 70 expert speakers, alongside 15 government partners and more than 50 sponsors and exhibitors.

The speaker and advisory line-up brings together senior PPP and infrastructure specialists from regional and international markets, including Andrew Thomas, Strategic Advisor PPP, WSP Middle East; Moustafa Fahour OAM, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Arada Capital; Nasser Massoud, Founder & Managing Director, Concept Realisation and Chair of the Social Sector PPPs Chapter at WAPPP; Nayef AlHaddad, Chairman of the WAPPP Chapter for Middle East and North Africa; Mosaab R. Alburih, Chief Public Private Partnerships Officer at Tatweer Buildings Company; and Dr. Eyup Vural Aydin, Chairman of the Istanbul PPP Center of Excellence.

Beyond policy dialogue, the 6th PPP MENA Forum is designed to facilitate direct engagement between the institutions responsible for the region’s infrastructure ambitions and the organisations capable of financing, developing and delivering them. As governments place greater emphasis on private-sector participation, the Forum will examine where new opportunities are emerging, what makes projects commercially viable, and how stronger public-private collaboration can accelerate delivery across MENA.

The 6th PPP MENA Forum 2026 will take place on 10–11 November 2026 at Palazzo Versace Dubai, UAE.

5th Digital Transformation Kuwait Conference 2026 to Accelerate Kuwait’s Journey Towards an AI-Powered Future

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Over 800 delegates and 45 industry leaders to convene to explore artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, smart infrastructure and a new generation digital government

Kuwait City, Kuwait: As Kuwait accelerates its transition towards a knowledge-driven digital economy, the 5th Digital Transformation Kuwait Conference 2026 will bring together government leaders, policymakers, technology innovators and industry experts to explore how artificial intelligence, intelligent infrastructure and emerging technologies can shape the nation’s digital future.

Scheduled for 9–10 November 2026 at Crowne Plaza Kuwait, the conference will be held under the theme “Beyond Transformation: Designing Kuwait’s Intelligent Future,” reflecting the country’s growing emphasis on moving beyond digital adoption towards intelligent, integrated and citizen-centric solutions.

In collaboration with Central Agency for Information Technology (CAIT), and in partnership with the Communications and Information Technology Regulatory Authority (CITRA), the two-day gathering will provide a strategic platform for advancing Kuwait’s digital ambitions in line with Kuwait Vision 2035 (New Kuwait).

The conference will welcome H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Ahmed Al Sabah, Honorary President of the conference and Founder and Chairman of the Association of Artificial Intelligence of Things (AAIoT), who will deliver the Opening Keynote, setting the strategic direction for discussions on Kuwait’s next phase of technology-led development.

With more than 800 delegates representing over 500 organisations, the event will feature 45+ distinguished speakers, multiple solution showcases and more than 10 keynotes, panel discussions and presentations, bringing together decision-makers responsible for shaping digital transformation across government and key economic sectors.

Among the prominent speakers are Ms. Najat Hussain, Acting Director General, Central Agency for Information Technology (CAIT); Eng. Manal Al-Mazyad, Vice Chairman of the Board, Communications and Information Technology Regulatory Authority (CITRA); Dr. Ammar Alhusaini, Senior Director, Strategic Partnerships, IMPULSE; and Prof. Khalid Al-Begain, Founding President, Kuwait College of Science and Technology.

As artificial intelligence increasingly reshapes economies, industries and public services, the conference will examine how Kuwait can strengthen its digital capabilities through strategic investments in AI infrastructure, cloud computing, advanced data centres and secure connectivity. Cybersecurity, digital identity and digital trust will also feature prominently, reflecting the importance of protecting critical infrastructure, strengthening data governance and building confidence in an increasingly interconnected digital ecosystem.

The programme will explore the evolution of intelligent government services, highlighting opportunities to improve operational efficiency, enhance public service delivery and create more seamless experiences for citizens and businesses. Smart cities and intelligent infrastructure will form another major area of discussion, with industry leaders examining how connected technologies, data-driven planning and digital innovation can support more sustainable and resilient urban development.

Beyond government transformation, the conference will address the growing application of emerging technologies across healthcare, education, banking and financial services, energy and utilities, aviation, telecommunications, logistics and transportation. Discussions will also focus on connected mobility, intelligent transportation networks and utilities digitalisation, exploring how integrated digital systems can strengthen infrastructure performance and support Kuwait’s long-term economic diversification objectives.

The conference is supported by a broad network of government entities, industry organisations and academic institutions, including the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Public Works, Artificial Intelligence of Things Association (AAIoT), International Air Transport Association (IATA), National Bank of Kuwait, Kuwait Information Technology Society, Gulf University for Science and Technology (GUST), Kuwait Technical College, Medical Liability Authority, Al Mowasat Hospital and Dar Al Shifa Hospital.

By bringing together senior government officials, CIOs, CTOs, CISOs, digital transformation leaders, technology providers and industry stakeholders, the 5th Digital Transformation Kuwait Conference aims to encourage knowledge exchange, strengthen public-private collaboration and identify practical pathways for implementing next-generation digital solutions.

Website: https://digitaltransformationkuwait.com/