School’s in: Zayed City Schools project complete

Abu Dhabi, UAE – The Zayed City Schools project is complete, marking the on-time and within budget completion for the UAE’s first schools infrastructure public-private partnership.

Three state-of-the-art schools with capacity for more than 5,000 students from kindergarten to grade 12 are now ready to welcome students for the 2024-25 academic year.

Plenary Group Chief Investment Officer Paul Crowe joined Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) Undersecretary His Excellency Mubarak Hamad Al Mheiri, Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) Director General His Excellency Badr Al-Olama, ADEK Assets and Facilities Office Director Dr Tareq Al Ameri and other senior project partners at a ceremony recently to mark the schools’ completion.

Plenary is sponsor, financial arranger, SPV manager and investor in the project, part of the BESIX-Plenary consortium selected to finance, design, build and maintain the schools for 20 years in partnership with ADIO and ADEK.

ADIO Acting Head – Infrastructure Partnerships Yaser Al Nuaimi said, “The Zayed City Schools project exemplifies the transformative power of public-private partnerships in realising Abu Dhabi’s future-focused infrastructure development. By leveraging private sector expertise in design, construction, and financing, we’ve created world-class educational facilities equipped to empower students with the learning spaces they need to reach their highest potential. This success paves the way for further collaboration, offering our private sector partners unprecedented opportunities to contribute to Abu Dhabi’s sustainable growth while capitalising on long-term investment returns.”

ADEK Assets and Facilities Office Director Dr Tareq Al Ameri said, “The inauguration of Zayed City Schools marks a significant milestone in our mission to provide world-class education in Abu Dhabi. This project not only empowers more students to access quality education, but also highlights the importance of public-private partnerships in realising Abu Dhabi’s ambitious educational goals. We remain committed to this journey, ensuring that every student in the Emirate has the opportunity to learn and succeed in an environment that fosters innovation and excellence.”

BESIX-Plenary consortium General Manager Mohamed Badr El Din said, “As a key partner in the Zayed City Schools project consortium, BESIX-Plenary is proud to contribute to a project that embodies a visionary approach to infrastructure development. This strategic collaboration leverages the strengths of all partners to set new benchmarks, highlighting the transformative impact of uniting powerful government and private entities to drive innovation and development. The Zayed City Schools PPP project stands as a testament to the true spirit and success of public-private partnerships. This achievement, delivered on time and within budget, marks the beginning of a long-term relationship that will extend throughout the operation phase. It showcases the power of strong collaboration between the public and private sectors in shaping a brighter future. By merging public interests with private sector innovation, we are creating sustainable solutions that meet the needs of future generations and inspire new hope.”

Plenary Chief Investment Officer Paul Crowe said Plenary was immensely proud to have played a key role in delivering the UAE’s first schools infrastructure PPP.

“We are pleased to have played a key role in helping to deliver ADIO and ADEK’s vision to deliver best-in-class facilities for students and teachers, provide access to high-quality learning environments and modern facilities and to enhance the attractiveness of Zayed City and Abu Dhabi. As a pioneering public-private partnership project, its success paves the way for increased private sector participation in the development of the country’s social infrastructure. We are encouraged by the pipeline of likely infrastructure projects in Abu Dhabi, the UAE and the GCC more broadly. The region is maturing as a hub for PPPs, and we are pleased to be involved, working alongside such willing government partners and some of the global companies with which have established relationships in other parts of the world. We commend the Abu Dhabi Government on its impressive, continued program of infrastructure development and investment and its acknowledgment that private sector capital and experience can support its ambitions to deliver infrastructure vital for social and economic growth. We look forward to continuing the success of the Zayed City Schools project and participating in future opportunities in the region.”

View the official Abu Dhabi Media Office media release.