As the IJGlobal Awards 2021 judging sessions progress around the planet – aided greatly by Teams – we are delighted today to announce the shortlist for the Middle East and North Africa region.

The panel met virtually on Wednesday for MENA Judgment Day to decide the fate of submissions for the Companies section of the IJ awards that will be presented on 30 March (2022) in the Mandarin Oriental, Dubai.

This year was an especially big challenge as we received more than 1,300 submissions, but – fortunately for the judging panel – it only decides the company winners with relevant people being recused from influencing awards where they have a personal interest.

IJGlobal prides itself on hosting what we believe to be the single most transparent awards in infrastructure and energy community with peer review judging by established industry professionals who have deep experience of financing and delivering projects in the region.

We always identify the judging panel – the MENA team can be seen here (open access) – and the voting is held in secret with all comments made under Chatham House Rule.

This year the MENA shortlist has brought together an interesting array of competitors.

Sponsor:

• ACWA Power
• Marubeni Corporation

Public sector:

• Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO)
• Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA)
• Federal Government of the United Arab Emirates
• National Centre for Privatisation & PPP (NCP), Saudi Arabia
• PPP Central Unit – Egypt
• Renewable Energy Project Development Office (REPDO), Saudi Arabia
• Saudi Water Partnership Company (SWPC)

Export Credit Agency:

• China Exim
• JBIC
• Kexim
• NEXI
• UKEF

Development finance institution:

• EBRD
• IFC
• Islamic Development Bank (IsDB)
• Saudi Industrial Development Fund (SIDF)

Bond arranger:

• Citi
• Societe Generale

MLA:

• Citi
• MUFG Bank
• Natixis
• Societe Generale
• Standard Chartered Bank
• SMBC

Financial adviser:

• Ernst & Young
• MUFG Bank
• SMBC
• Synergy Consulting

Legal adviser:

• Allen & Overy
• Clifford Chance
• Covington
• Norton Rose Fulbright
• Stephenson Harwood
• White & Case

Model audit:

• BDO
• Operis