Infrastructure Parsons signs deal to improve Riyadh’s road network US company Parsons Corporation has won a contract to manage the development of Riyadh’s road network, as the Saudi capital city gears up to host Expo 2030 and the Fifa World Cup 2034. The $53-million three-year contract was awarded by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) to the New York Stock Exchange-listed company, which […] December 10, 2024
Transport Turkish electric vehicle sales up 39% in a year Turkey’s electric vehicle market is expanding rapidly, with sales increasing almost 39 percent year on year as new models become available and supporting infrastructure is put in place. The rise is in contrast to conventional car sales, which are showing modest growth compared to their greener rivals. Turkey is also bucking global trends, which has […] December 9, 2024
Infrastructure Morocco’s rail project secures $14bn funding Morocco’s mega railway expansion plan has attracted more than $14 billion (MAD139.8 billion) in investments from global investors, surpassing its initial funding goal of $8.8 billion, according to media reports. The project, led by the state-run National Railways Office (ONCF), has attracted significant attention due to its strategic importance, local media said citing Akinwumi Adesina, […] December 9, 2024
Construction Dubai unveils master plan for pedestrian-friendly city Dubai has ambitions to transform into a pedestrian-friendly city, including a 6,500 km network of walkways across 160 areas of the emirate. The Dubai Walk master plan, unveiled by Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, will feature uninterrupted pathways and expanded green spaces. The plan includes constructing 3,300 km of new walkways and […] December 8, 2024
Tech Damac to spend $3bn on data centres in Southeast Asia Edgnex, the data centre subsidiary of Dubai’s Damac Group, is planning to invest $3 billion in sites across Southeast Asia over the next three to five years. The investment is part of a $7 billion digital infrastructure strategy that aims to meet rising demand for artificial intelligence and cloud computing, Danish Nayar, Damac’s senior vice-president […] December 4, 2024
Trade Oman and Turkish pension fund launches $500m JV A new container port in the southern Turkish city of Iskenderun is to be the first project in a joint venture worth $500 million between one of Turkey’s leading retirement funds and Oman’s sovereign wealth agency. The Oman Investment Authority (OIA) and the Turkish military pension fund Oyak plan to invest in a range of […] December 3, 2024
Business of Sport Fifa praises ‘impressive’ Saudi World Cup 2034 bid The vast construction projects proposed by Saudi Arabia for the 2034 Fifa World Cup are impressive, but present a medium risk of not being completed in time, football’s governing body Fifa has warned. In a 110-page bid evaluation document, Fifa’s inspection team said Saudi Arabia must invest “significant effort and time” to fulfill its ambitious […] December 2, 2024
Opinion Infrastructure Libya prepares final phase for giant man-made river It is hoped that all Libyan villages and cities will gain access to fresh Saharan water December 2, 2024
Opinion Transport Now on platform 1 … a stylish ride for Riyadh commuters Riyadh Metro's bright and spacious trains will have a huge impact on the city’s productivity December 2, 2024
Infrastructure $54bn private investment sought for Abu Dhabi infrastructure Abu Dhabi is overseeing more than 600 infrastructure projects valued at more than AED200 billion ($54 billion), representing an opportunity for the private sector to collaborate on a pipeline of projects that are integral to the emirate’s Economic Vision 2030 plan, a senior official said. The projects, being led by the Abu Dhabi Projects and […] December 2, 2024
Analysis Giga-projects Rise in major US law firms setting up in Saudi Arabia Attracted by the host of complex and potentially lucrative legal issues raised by Saudi Arabia’s development push, several of the largest law firms in the US are formally setting up shop in the kingdom, either directly or through mergers and acquisitions. Among those making the leap is Atlanta-based company King & Spalding. A spokesperson confirmed […] November 28, 2024
EXCLUSIVE Infrastructure Riyadh Metro aims to break Saudi capital’s car gridlock The first phase of Saudi Arabia’s $22.5 billion Riyadh Metro is opening on December 1, marking a significant step toward transforming public transportation in a city known for its heavy car culture and gridlocked streets. The project, billed as the world’s longest driverless transit system, is a centerpiece of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan, which […] November 27, 2024
Renewable Energy Poland’s Hynfra to build green ammonia plant in Egypt Egypt’s General Authority for Investment and Free Zones is linking up with Polish energy company Hynfra to build a green ammonia plant. The facility will produce ammonia for export from Egypt to the European Union, the GAFI and Hynfra said in a joint statement. It will require an investment of $1.6 billion in its first […] November 26, 2024
Opinion Infrastructure Africa’s port assets are irresistible for the UAE The privatisation of maritime infrastructure is often controversial in Africa November 25, 2024
Transport Saudi railway network to reach 8,000km, says minister Saudi Arabia will look to expand its railway network by around 45 percent in the coming years, the transport minister told a conference in Riyadh. “The kingdom is set to experience unprecedented growth in its rail network, expanding to over 8,000km in the coming years,” Saleh Al Jasser, minister of transport and Saudi Arabia Railways […] November 22, 2024
Infrastructure Public-private tenders worth $1bn on offer in Egypt Eleven tenders worth more than $1.2 billion for public-private partnerships (PPPs), mainly involving water and waste water treatment, are about to be issued by the Egyptian government. Atter Hannoura, director of the PPP Central Unit at the Egyptian finance ministry, said that the total value of PPP agreements to be tendered is about EGP62 billion […] November 22, 2024
Opinion Development Trump must focus on rebuilding a war-torn Middle East It is imperative that the US addresses reconstruction in the region November 20, 2024
Oil & Gas Oman’s OQGN to expand network as demand grows State-owned OQ Gas Networks (OQGN), the pipeline subsidiary of Oman energy major OQ, is enhancing its gas network capacity as part of a major infrastructure expansion strategy. A new 193km loop line from Fahud to Sohar, described as “one of the largest ever”, will be constructed to address rising energy needs in the Suhar and […] November 18, 2024
Infrastructure Saudi Arabia announces winning bidders for water pipeline State-backed Saudi Water Partnership Company expects commercial operations at its Jubail-Buraydah independent water pipeline project to start in the first quarter of 2029. The plan follows its announcement about the preferred and reserve bidders for the water project. A Saudi consortium, comprising Al Jomaih Energy & Water Company, Nesma Company and Buhur for Investment Company, […] November 13, 2024
Energy Saudi Electricity Q3 profit rises as revenue jumps 18% Saudi Electricity Company, 75 percent-owned by the sovereign Public Investment Fund, reported an 18 percent year-on-year growth in net profit to SAR6.9 billion ($1.84 billion). Revenue jumped 18 percent to SAR28.3 billion from SAR23.8 billion a year ago driven by an increase in electricity production revenue. There was also continued growth in the subscriber base and […] November 6, 2024
Infrastructure Suez Canal Economic Zone plans $3bn investment Egypt’s Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCEZ) plans to invest $3 billion on infrastructure over the next few years to attract new investors, chairman Waleid Gamal El-Dein said. “We have been able to attract more than $6.3 billion of investments in various sectors and logistics and ports,” he told Reuters, expecting the number of projects to […] November 6, 2024
Infrastructure Muscat maps out its future development plans Muscat is set to approve a plan that will create a central 55km spine where much of the future development of the Omani capital city will take place. The city is predicted to double in size by 2040. The Greater Muscat Structure Plan, awaiting approval at cabinet level, provides a map of where future growth […] November 6, 2024
