Kingdom PPP Transformation Forum & Awards 2026

Unlocking Investments, Innovation, Infrastructure & Strategic Partnerships for Vision 2030

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7th - 9th September 2026 | 9AM - 5PM (GMT+3)

Riyadh, KSA

Riyadh, KSA
Edgar Perez

Edgar Perez

Top Global AI Keynote Speaker

Jamie Hull

Jamie Hull

Motivational Speaker

Ziad Hayek

H.E Ziad Alexandre Hayek

President of the World Association of PPP Units & Professionals (WAPPP) & Co-Founder of HyperCycle.ai

Paul Norris

Paul Norris

Director of Financial Advisory at NEOM

Stephen Beatty

Stephen Beatty

Infrastructure Strategist and PPP & Privatization Expert

Joerg Esser

Joerg Esser

Managing Director, Munich Airport International (MAI)

Mohammed Abdullah Alajaji

Mohammed Abdullah Alajaji

Global Institutions and Partnerships Executive Director at National Infrastructure Fund (Infra)

Rayan Albakri

Rayan AlBakri

President of logistics at SAL - Saudi Logistic Services.

Mohammed Khojah

Mohammed Khojah

Executive Director - ISTPs & ISWRs project Delivery at Saudi Water Partnership Company SWPC

Rami Karout

Rami Karout

Senior Adviser, Middle East & North Africa International Road Transport Union IRU

Hashem Al Fawaz

Hashem Al Fawaz

Senior Vice President of Economic Affairs, Environment Fund (KSA)

Muhammad Abdullah Alqahtani

Muhammad Abdullah Alqahtani

Chief Development & Delivery Executive, Saudi Arabia

Ahmed Al Obaid

Ahmed Al-Obaid

Strategic Advisor in Economic Policy, Investment Strategy & Public–Private Partnerships

Dr. Abhishek Saurav

Dr. Abhishek Saurav

Senior Economist, World Bank | Expert in Investment Climate Reform, Competitiveness & Growth Strategy

Massimo Buonomo

Massimo Buonomo

Global AI, Cybersecurity & Digital Finance Strategist | Advisor on Technology, Policy & Geopolitical Risk

Nasser Massoud 2

Nasser Massoud

Chair of Social Sector PPPs chapter at WAPPP & Board Member, The Kingdom Health, a PIF Portfolio Company

Dr Ali Melibari 2

Dr Ali Melibari

Program Director (PMO Consultant), Jeddah Municipality

Ibrahim Osta

Ibrahim Osta

Senior Economic Growth Director & Global Tourism Lead at Chemonics International

David Baxter Full body

Master Trainer

DAVID BAXTER

Senior Advisor | Steering Committee Member & Chair | Former World Bank Consultant

David Baxter is a globally recognized Public–Private Partnership (PPP) procurement expert, senior advisor, and thought leader with over 30 years of international experience supporting governments, development banks, and public institutions in the planning, procurement, and delivery of sustainable and resilient infrastructure projects. He is widely respected for his ability to translate PPP policy and complex procurement frameworks into practical, implementable solutions for the public sector.

Current Roles:

  • Senior Advisor, International Sustainable & Resilience Center (ISRC) – USA
  • Steering Committee Member & Chair, WAPPP North America Chapter
  • Former World Bank Consultant (2018–2021)

Global Experience:

  • Advised 40+ clients across Africa, Middle East, Europe, Asia, and the Americas
  • Projects sponsored by World Bank, USAID, MCC, ADB, AfDB
  • Delivered PPP workshops and forums in Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Istanbul, Malaysia, Dubai.
  • Supported governments in strengthening PPP governance, attracting investment, and improving procurement standards

Expertise:

  • Structuring transparent, competitive, and bankable PPPs
  • Enhancing governance, risk management, and compliance in procurement
  • Developing ethical, resilient, and investor-ready infrastructure projects
  • Contributor to World Bank PPP Certification & Benchmarking Reports

What Our Participants Gain

By attending David Baxter’s workshop, participants will:

  • Master practical PPP strategies: Structure and implement bankable, transparent, and resilient projects.
  • Enhance governance and decision-making: Strengthen enabling environments, mitigate risks, and ensure ethical procurement.
  • Attract private investment & FDI: Learn how to design projects that appeal to investors and unlock funding.
  • Apply real-world, hands-on lessons: Gain practical insights from global case studies, including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Sri Lanka, and Maldives.
  • Build sustainable, resilient infrastructure: Deliver projects that are economically viable, socially responsible, and aligned with SDGs.

Supporting Partner

World Association of PPP Units & Professionals (WAPPP)

The Kingdom PPP Transformation Forum and Awards  is proudly supported by WAPPP,  the global platform connecting PPP units, policymakers, investors, and infrastructure leaders across continents.

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List & Categories of Awards

1- Healthcare Transformation Partner of the Year
 For pioneering PPP initiatives that expand access to quality healthcare infrastructure and services in alignment with Vision 2030.

 

2- Sustainable Housing & Urban Development PPP Award
For outstanding delivery of affordable, inclusive, and sustainable urban projects through PPP collaboration.

 

3- Transport & Mobility PPP Excellence Award
Recognizing innovation and efficiency in delivering large-scale transport projects, roads, metro, and airports  that connect the Kingdom.

 

4- Tourism & Culture Infrastructure PPP Award
For exceptional contribution to tourism, culture, and entertainment projects that strengthen Saudi Arabia’s global competitiveness.

 

5- Water & Utilities PPP Project of the Year
For driving resilience, innovation, and sustainability in desalination, wastewater, and utilities infrastructure.

 

6- Digital Infrastructure & Smart Governance PPP Award
For leadership in digitalization, smart infrastructure, and e-government partnerships enabling connected public services.

 

7- Education & Human Capital Development PPP Award

For innovative PPP initiatives that strengthen education infrastructure, vocational training, and research institutions while supporting Saudi Arabia’s long-term human capital development agenda.

List & Categories of Awards

1- Vision 2030 PPP Leadership Award

Honoring ministries or entities demonstrating strategic excellence and national impact through PPP delivery.

2- Excellence in PPP Financing & Investment Innovation

Recognizing institutions or financiers (public or private) advancing Islamic finance, blended funding, and de-risking mechanisms for PPPs.

3- Sustainability & ESG in PPP Implementation Award

For embedding environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles across project lifecycles.

List & Categories of Awards

1- PPP Visionary Leader of the Year

For outstanding strategic leadership in shaping and advancing PPP frameworks and governance in Saudi Arabia.

 

2- PPP Deal-Maker of the Year
 For exceptional skill in structuring, negotiating, and closing high-impact PPP projects that drive transformation.

 

3- Outstanding Public-Private Collaboration Team Award
 Recognizing a ministry, agency, or consortium demonstrating exemplary teamwork, transparency, and execution in PPP delivery.

Honorable Panel of Judges

David Baxter Full body

David Baxter

Senior PPP Advisor | ISRC | Chair, WAPPP North America

Ziad Hayek

H.E Ziad Alexandre Hayek

President of the World Association of PPP Units & Professionals (WAPPP) & Co-Founder of HyperCycle.AI

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hours of live & interactive sessions covering governance, policy, investment confidence, and PPP delivery strategies.

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hours of a practical workshop by an inspiring PPP expert and industry visionary.

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attendees with decision-making authority from government, finance, and infrastructure sectors.

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speakers of highly sought-after expertise in PPPs,infrastructure, and finance from the US, Europe, Middle East & APAC.

Event Description

Public–Private Partnerships (PPPs) are at the core of this transformation, enabling the delivery of large-scale projects across transport, utilities, tourism, and digital infrastructure with speed, efficiency, and long-term sustainability. With a $50B+ pipeline, PPPs are driving resilient, future-ready growth.

The Saudi Public-Private Partnership & Investment Forum and Awards 2026 brings together leading ministries, investors, developers, and global partners to accelerate this journey from vision to delivery. Through real case studies, global insights, and strategic discussions, the forum addresses how PPPs are evolving to meet the demands of a changing world.

This conference stands at the forefront of Saudi Arabia’s partnership era where ambition meets execution to shape the future of infrastructure and investment.

Who Should Attend

Ministers | Deputy Ministers | CEOs | Chairpersons | Managing Directors | Directors General | Secretary-Generals | Presidents | Vice Presidents | Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) | Chief Investment Officers (CIOs) | Chief Strategy Officers (CSOs) | Chief Operating Officers (COOs) | Chief Legal Officers (CLOs) | Chief Sustainability Officers (CSOs) | Chief Risk Officers (CROs) | Heads of PPP | Heads of Privatization | Directors of Infrastructure & Capital Projects | Project Finance Directors | Policy & Regulation Leaders | Heads of Legal Affairs | Directors of Investment Promotion | Heads of Procurement & Contracting | Heads of Strategy & Planning | Senior Advisors | Economic Development Leaders | Urban Development Experts | ESG & Sustainability Directors | Project Managers | Finance Managers | Technical Consultants | Legal & Transaction Advisors | Public Sector Transformation Specialists

Why You Should Not Miss This Landmark Forum

  • 3 High-Impact Days of Strategy, Delivery & Investment
    Two days of high-level discussions with Saudi Arabia’s leading PPP decision-makers, followed by a hands-on workshop focused on real project execution.
  • Where Vision 2030 Turns into Action
    Discover the next wave of PPP opportunities across infrastructure, utilities, housing, healthcare, and digital sectors and what’s driving the Kingdom’s $50B+ pipeline.
  • Meet the Decision-Makers
    Connect with ministries, giga-project leaders, sovereign funds, and regulators shaping policy, approving projects, and unlocking investment.
  • Build Bankable Partnerships
    Understand what investors, lenders, and developers require to commit, through real case studies on financing, risk allocation, and governance.
  • From Challenges to Solutions
    Address real-world PPP challenges from procurement delays to financing and risk through practical, solution-driven discussions.
  • Forge Strategic Alliances
    Network with senior leaders across government, finance, infrastructure, and advisory sectors driving Saudi Arabia’s PPP transformation.
  • Navigating Global Uncertainty & Investment Shifts
    Explore how geopolitical dynamics, economic uncertainty, and shifting capital flows are reshaping PPP investment decisions across the region.

Key Objectives

Strengthen Governance and Policy Frameworks

Build a transparent, investor-ready regulatory environment that inspires global trust and accelerates delivery.

Empower Public Institutions for Smarter Delivery

Reinforce coordination across ministries, enabling faster, data-driven PPP execution and accountability.

Ignite Sectoral Transformation Through PPPs

Transform transport, energy, tourism, and digital infrastructure through collaborative and scalable partnerships.

Navigate Global Uncertainty Through Strategic PPPs

Position Saudi Arabia as a stable investment hub by leveraging PPP frameworks to manage geopolitical risk, secure supply chains, and attract long-term global capital.

Champion AI, Digitalization & Green Finance

Integrate technology and sustainability to shape future-ready, performance-driven PPP ecosystems.

Accelerate Vision 2030 Through Partnership Power

Unleash the next decade of national transformation through high-impact PPPs driving Saudi’s diversification goals.

Enhance Investor Confidence and Bankability

Redefine risk, financing, and transparency models to attract sustainable capital and long-term partnerships.

Unlock Global Insights for Local Excellence

Draw lessons from global PPP success stories to elevate Saudi Arabia’s delivery capability and innovation standards.

Past Feedback

" It was overall a great session. Very insightful for someone like me to understand how CFOs think and work around the globe. "

Zuraini.

Manager, Finance Accounting Management, Malaysia

" Excellent real live demonstration of the relevant functions finance professional would be using with paid version of ChatGPT to ease our lives of mundane task and work on more value adding projects "

Siew.

Senior Executive, Malaysia

" It was great to work with CWI. Their attention to detail was impeccable. The Business Continuity & Crisis Management workshop was fluid and went very smoothly! CWI presented and managed the participants with great patience and have delivered fully on their commitments to me. "

Ta.

Group CFO, Dubai

" The speakers are sharing their top experiences to the audiences and I feel that this event is playing a critical and crucial role in terms of developing the finance and audit industry and taking it to the next level. "

Dr. Chetan.

Trade Advisor, India

" We've just been blown away and we actually loved it hearing from the speakers and listen to the life and actual real experiences that the CFOs have had to offer. "

Naomi.

CFO, Fiji

" I've felt that everything was organized, from the stage, the presentation, and the coordination. "

Pierre.

Senior Audit Specialist, Philippines

" My first impression of this event is wow! It's great because you have brought together some of the smartest people into this event and not just from Malaysia but also from all over the region. "

Jessica.

CFO, Malaysia

" Attending the course has assisted deeply in my understanding of what would be expected of me, as well as the fulfillment of my role & upcoming role. "

Andrew.

Senior Managing Director, Kuala Lumpur

" This course was mind-blowing. It gave me insight regarding the whole concept of investment in culture, and how human beings are the force. It was an amazing Masterclass. "

Zaka.

Chief Risk Officer, Saudi Arabia