Middle East & Africa Proptech
The Abu Dhabi Projects and Infrastructure Centre (ADPIC) assembled a major coalition of partners to spearhead the emirate’s US$57billion infrastructure drive. Leading developers and financial institutions, including Modon, Aldar, Bloom Holding, and the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), joined forces for the Abu Dhabi Infrastructure Summit (ADIS) 2026. The summit, which took place at ADNEC from 12–14 May, reinforced Abu Dhabi’s position as a stable, pro-investment destination for global partners.
The coalition, which also included the Abu Dhabi Housing Authority, LEAD Development, Reportage Properties, and Etihad Rail, reflected a unified commitment to delivering complex urban projects at scale. Under the theme “The Urban Evolution: Rethinking Cities, Redefining How We Live,” ADIS 2026 sought to move beyond high-level dialogue to accelerate the delivery of next-generation infrastructure.
Tech-driven delivery and digital innovation
A core focus of this year’s summit was the integration of advanced technologies to optimize construction and management. Aldar Properties showcased how digital tools, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and smarter construction models were reimagining delivery for major projects such as Fahid Island, the world’s first Fitwel-certified island masterplan.
Similarly, the Abu Dhabi Housing Authority (ADHA) highlighted its fully integrated digital journey for citizens. This ecosystem, built on data integration with more than 36 government and private entities, enabled citizens to select housing projects via mobile applications and use augmented reality (AR) to view future homes.
Strategic investment and project financing
For the financial community, the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) was a key participant, enabling global investors to access infrastructure opportunities through the emirate’s established Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework. This structured approach supports long-term private sector participation and ensures sustainable funding for the US$57billion pipeline.
Modon, which returned as Headline Partner, demonstrated how sustainable, long-term value creation could be achieved through integrated portfolios spanning real estate, asset management, and hospitality. According to Bill O’Regan, group CEO of Modon, the summit was essential for unlocking the cross-sector collaboration needed to turn development ambitions into thriving, future-ready communities.
The scale of Abu Dhabi’s ambition
The summit’s second edition saw significant growth, following a successful debut in 2025 that resulted in 15 MoUs and strategic partnerships. The 2026 event was expected to host over 7,000 industry leaders and covers the entire infrastructure value chain, from megaproject governance and digital systems to project financing and urban mobility.
H.E. Eng. Maysarah Mahmoud Salim Eid, director general of ADPIC, represented the point where policy, capital, and expertise converged. By building with purpose and aligning with the right global partners, Abu Dhabi continued to translate its long-term ambitions into measurable outcomes that enhanced the quality of life for every resident.
