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GCC Construction Market Outlook 2026: Why Market Intelligence Matters More Than Ever
At a time when uncertainty is influencing global markets and regional sentiment, access to reliable information has never been more important. That was the central message of the recent Ventures Onsite webinar, “GCC Construction in 2026: Trends, Projects & Power Players,” hosted by Phil Higgins, which brought together industry professionals from across the region to review construction activity in 2025 and explore the outlook for the year ahead.
The webinar was held during a week of heightened geopolitical tension across the region. While there was understandable concern about the potential impact of these developments on the global economy and regional markets, Ventures Onsite made the deliberate decision to proceed with the session.
The reasoning was simple: when markets become uncertain, the value of accurate intelligence becomes even more critical.
Rather than delay the conversation, the webinar provided an opportunity to examine the current market conditions, review the strength of the GCC construction pipeline, and discuss how companies can position themselves effectively in the months ahead.
A Decade of Growth Across the GCC Construction Market
One of the key takeaways from the presentation was the extraordinary growth of construction activity across the GCC over the past decade.
Using data from the Ventures Onsite Projects Tracker, which monitors construction developments across 66 countries in the Middle East and Africa, the webinar examined contractor awards across the GCC from 2015 through 2025.
The data showed a significant acceleration in activity beginning in the early 2020s, with 2023 and 2024 representing some of the highest levels of contract awards recorded in the region. These years were driven by major national development initiatives, particularly in Saudi Arabia, alongside continued strong growth in the UAE.
Although 2025 recorded a 23% decline in total contract awards compared with 2024, the webinar highlighted that this reduction should be viewed in context.
“2024 was an exceptional year for the GCC construction sector,” Higgins explained. “Large volumes of giga-project contracts were released in Saudi Arabia, and it was inevitable that activity would stabilize somewhat as projects moved into different development phases.”
UAE Continues to Lead Construction Activity
A breakdown of contract awards by country revealed the continued strength of the UAE construction market, which recorded approximately $124 billion in contract awards during 2025.
Saudi Arabia also remained a dominant force in the region’s development pipeline, while Qatar continued to see strong investment, particularly in the energy sector.
Looking ahead to 2026, the Ventures Onsite forecast projects continued strong activity across the GCC, including:
- UAE: approximately $102 billion in contractor awards
- Saudi Arabia: approximately $75 billion
- Qatar: approximately $37 billion
It is important to note that these projections reflect the most current data available within the Ventures Onsite platform, based on projects currently moving through design, tender, and pre-execution stages. However, given the current geopolitical situation and broader market uncertainties, it is possible that some adjustments to these forecasts may occur as the year progresses.
Sector Trends: Buildings, Energy, and Infrastructure
The webinar also examined construction activity across key industry sectors.
Buildings remain the dominant sector across the GCC, reflecting continued demand for residential, commercial, hospitality, and mixed-use developments across the region’s expanding cities.
At the same time, oil and gas projects continue to represent a major share of high-value contract awards, driven by investments in energy infrastructure and production capacity.
Infrastructure, power, and water projects also continue to show strong momentum as governments across the region invest in essential services and long-term economic development.
Construction Projects Shaping the GCC
Several high-profile developments were highlighted during the presentation as examples of the scale of investment currently taking place across the GCC.
Among the most notable was Binghatti Holdings’ Mercedes-Benz Places and Binghatti City project, valued at approximately $8.2 billion.
The webinar also pointed to major upcoming projects expected to move into construction in 2026, including:
- The Muscat Airport upgrade
- New hotel and tourism developments on Marjan Island
- Major sports and infrastructure projects across the region
These projects reflect the diverse range of sectors continuing to drive construction growth across the GCC.
A Massive Pipeline of Future Opportunities
Perhaps the most encouraging insight from the webinar came from the pre-execution project pipeline. Ventures Onsite data shows a substantial volume of projects currently in the concept, design, and tender stages across the region. These developments represent the future opportunities that will move into construction over the coming years.
The scale of this pipeline provides strong evidence that the GCC construction market remains fundamentally robust, supported by long-term national strategies and economic diversification programs.
Key Market Trends Shaping the Industry
The webinar also highlighted several major trends influencing the future of construction across the region:
Government Investment
Large-scale government initiatives remain the backbone of construction activity across the GCC, including investments in infrastructure and industrial zones. Major global events such as Riyadh Expo 2030 and the 2034 FIFA World Cup will further accelerate development.
Economic Diversification
National development strategies such as Saudi Vision 2030, Dubai Economic Agenda D33, and Plan Abu Dhabi 2030 are driving investment in tourism, logistics, technology, and industrial sectors beyond oil.
Digital Transformation
The adoption of BIM, digital twins, artificial intelligence, and modular construction methods is rapidly transforming the industry. Several government authorities in the UAE and Saudi Arabia have now mandated BIM for major public projects.
Navigating Uncertain Times
While the webinar focused on construction market fundamentals, it also acknowledged the broader geopolitical situation and its potential implications for global markets.
Possible impacts include rising oil prices, supply chain disruptions, and short-term volatility in investment sentiment. However, the webinar emphasized that long-term development strategies across the GCC remain firmly in place.
Government-backed infrastructure programs, urban masterplans, and economic diversification initiatives are multi-decade commitments that will continue to shape the region’s development.
Ventures Onsite continues to provide construction intelligence across the region, helping companies identify opportunities, track project development, and better understand the evolving construction landscape.
For contractors, consultants, manufacturers, and suppliers, this insight can make the difference between reacting to the market and staying ahead of it.
Watch the Webinar Replay
If you missed the live session, you can still watch the full webinar replay. Want more insights? Browse all our webinars here.
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