Zayed City Schools

A pioneering example for the first-ever PPP used for constructing school infrastructure in the UAE

Abu Dhabi's commitment to fostering public-private partnerships (PPPs) in critical sectors has reached a significant milestone with the Zayed City Schools PPP project. This groundbreaking initiative was awarded to the BESIX – Plenary consortium by the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK). With expected completion by August 2024, the project has already garnered recognition, winning the Social Infrastructure Deal of the Year 2022 for the Middle East & Africa region at the prestigious IJGlobal Awards.

This transformative project encompasses a wide spectrum of activities, including financing, design, procurement, construction, commissioning, and an extensive 20-year period of operations and maintenance. It aims to deliver three modern school campuses with a combined capacity of accommodating 5,360 students in Zayed City, Abu Dhabi. The ambitious endeavor underscores Abu Dhabi's commitment to providing high-quality education within a sustainable and environmentally conscious setting.

Set to open their doors in September 2024, the Zayed City Schools will introduce students to world-class facilities and cutting-edge equipment, ensuring a top-tier educational experience. These campuses are designed to meet stringent sustainability standards, such as the Estidama Pearl 2, while prioritizing energy efficiency and the use of locally sourced building materials. This environmentally conscious approach not only fosters academic excellence but also aligns with the region's commitment to sustainable development.

BESIX, renowned both for its position as an industrial equity provider and for its strong engineering, procurement, and construction experience, is overseeing all aspects of the project from financing, design, procurement, construction, commissioning, to 20-year operations and maintenance.