MEED names 73 national winners in 2026 projects awards

MEED has named 73 national winners across nine Middle East and North Africa markets in the MEED Projects Awards 2026, advancing them to the regional finals in Dubai. The awards spotlight project delivery across 17 categories and point to a more disciplined, sustainability-focused regional construction market.

Why it matters: - The awards highlight how major project delivery across MENA is shifting from planning to execution. - The 73 winning projects reflect progress in integrated delivery, digital adoption and sustainability outcomes. - The national winners now move into the regional finals, where each category will produce one MENA winner.

What happened: - MEED announced the national winners of the MEED Projects Awards 2026 in association with Mashreq. - The winners come from Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. - The projects span 17 categories, including Building and Development, Transport and Water Treatment. - The MENA regional winners will be announced at a gala on 10 November at the Joharah Ballroom, Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai.

The details: - Contractors, consultants, developers and project owners entered the projects. - The awards recognize standout project delivery achievements across the Middle East and North Africa. - MEED said the national winners will compete in the MENA finals for a single regional winner in each category. - A complete list of the national winners is available on the official MEED Projects Awards 2026 website . - MEED described the awards as part of its broader media and research platform, which includes MEED Projects and MEED Insight.

Between the lines: - Ed James, head of content and research at MEED, said the projects market has moved beyond ambition into execution. - James said owners and delivery partners are handling greater complexity with more discipline. - James pointed to integrated delivery models, faster adoption of digital tools and a sharper focus on sustainability outcomes. - Arun Mathur, executive vice president and global head of contracting finance at Mashreq, said the national winners reflect the scale, ambition and excellence driving project delivery across the region. - Mathur said Mashreq remains committed to supporting the infrastructure and construction sectors across MENA and to enabling projects that create lasting value and sustainable growth.

What's next: - The national winners will advance to the MENA finals in Dubai. - One regional winner will be selected in each category. - MEED will announce the MENA regional winners at the November gala.

The bottom line: - The 2026 awards underline a regional projects market that is becoming more execution-focused, more digital and more sustainability-driven.