Abu Dhabi infrastructure entity will help forge partnerships
18 April 2025
Commentary
Colin Foreman
Editor
Delivering infrastructure in Abu Dhabi has changed dramatically over the years. As the economy has evolved and projects have become more complex, new ways of delivering infrastructure have been explored.
Today, the private sector plays an active role in both investing in and developing infrastructure in the UAE capital. Good examples include the various independent water and power projects developed in the emirate, the Adnoc pipeline investments and the Zayed City Schools public-private partnership (PPP) project, for which construction was completed last year.
As the trend for private sector participation continues, Abu Dhabi-based entities ADQ, International Holding Company (IHC) and Modon Holding have formed a joint venture to support private and public-private partnerships in delivering infrastructure developments.
Known as Gridora, the new entity will deliver major projects in the UAE and globally. It will achieve these goals with two business lines: one will be a vehicle tasked with delivering infrastructure projects and the other will be an investor in infrastructure.
This creates an enticing platform for external players that want exposure to infrastructure projects in Abu Dhabi.
Investors can partner with Gridora and invest alongside an Abu Dhabi-backed entity with extensive local knowledge and influence.
Similarly, construction companies that want to deliver projects in Abu Dhabi can partner with Gridora to reduce much of the local risk that they would encounter if they entered the market alone.
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