The sixth edition of the PPP MENA Forum is set to return to Dubai on 10 and 11 November 2026, according to event organizers, with a focus on how public-private partnerships are moving from planning to financing and delivery across the Middle East and North Africa.
In its announcement, the forum said the region is entering a phase where infrastructure and public services are increasingly being structured for private investment, with partners focusing on project preparation, risk allocation, bankability and contractual frameworks.
UAE pipelines highlighted
The release points to activity in the UAE as a key example of momentum in PPP development. It states that Dubai has identified an AED 40 billion PPP portfolio comprising 30 projects across 10 sectors, including water and sewerage, transport, healthcare, waste management, smart cities, housing, culture and public amenities.
Among those projects, the forum highlighted the AED 25 billion Dubai Strategic Sewerage Tunnels programme, described as structured under a design, build, finance, operate and maintain model.
For Abu Dhabi, the release said the emirate is advancing an AED 55 billion PPP pipeline comprising 24 infrastructure projects expected to come to market in 2026 and 2027. Taken together, the organizers said the announced Dubai and Abu Dhabi pipelines represent at least AED 95 billion in PPP opportunities.
Broader regional investment trend
The forum announcement also referenced market-wide figures, stating that private investment in infrastructure across MENA reached approximately US$54 billion in 2023, up from US$19 billion a year earlier. The release attributed this shift to growing adoption of models intended to align public-sector priorities with private capital, specialist expertise and long-term delivery capability.
What the forum plans to cover
According to the organizers, the two-day programme will examine the practical conditions required to move projects from policy and procurement into bankable, investable and deliverable partnerships. It also said PPP activity is expanding beyond traditional sectors such as transport, power, water and utilities.
The release lists additional areas where partnership models are being explored, including healthcare, education, housing, real estate, logistics, sports infrastructure, culture and wider social infrastructure.
Venue and expected participation
The forum will be held at Palazzo Versace Dubai, organizers said. The announcement projected participation of more than 500 attendees, including 150 government delegates, more than 70 expert speakers and additional categories such as government partners and sponsors and exhibitors.
Named speakers and officials
The release included a list of speakers and advisors expected to take part, naming Andrew Thomas, Strategic Advisor PPP at WSP Middle East; Moustafa Fahour OAM, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Arada Capital; Nasser Massoud, Founder and Managing Director of 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.
Organizers said the event is designed to bring together government entities shaping project pipelines with investors, developers, lenders, contractors, operators and advisors involved in financing and delivering infrastructure projects.
