A prominent Qatari business family, led by brothers Moutaz and Ramez Al-Khayyat, is signaling a significant shift in its international investment strategy by aggressively pursuing multi-billion-dollar infrastructure opportunities across Africa. The move marks a deliberate effort to expand the reach of Power International Holding (PIH) and its subsidiary, UCC Holding, into high-growth markets in East and Central Africa.
As governments across the continent seek to bridge persistent infrastructure gaps, the Al-Khayyat family is positioning itself as a primary partner for large-scale development. The group is currently competing for major contracts, including a transformative aviation project in Ethiopia and critical highway connectivity in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This push underscores a wider trend of Gulf-based capital flowing into African megaprojects, as investors look to secure long-term returns through public-private partnerships.
Strategic Expansion into African Aviation
At the center of the group’s African strategy is Ethiopia’s ambitious plan to construct a new international airport near Bishoftu, located approximately 40 kilometers southeast of Addis Ababa. The project is designed to bolster the country’s status as a premier regional transit gateway and accommodate a projected surge in passenger demand. According to Ethiopian Airlines Group, the facility is envisioned to handle up to 100 million passengers annually within five years of its completion.
The proposed development, which covers roughly 35 square kilometers, is set to feature four runways, making it one of the largest aviation infrastructure sites on the continent. Boyd Merrett, the Group CEO of UCC Holding, has confirmed that the firm is actively pursuing the $12.5 billion project. The competition for the contract includes several other major Gulf investors, all vying to secure a role in a project that serves as a cornerstone for Ethiopia’s long-term economic growth plans.
Transport Infrastructure and Regional Connectivity
Beyond aviation, the Al-Khayyat family is targeting land-based connectivity to address logistical bottlenecks that have historically hampered trade. UCC Holding is currently eyeing a 400-kilometer highway development in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Infrastructure development in the region is widely viewed by international observers as a vital step toward realizing the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area, which aims to reduce trade costs and improve the movement of goods across borders.
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The involvement of a Qatari construction giant in the DRC’s transport sector highlights the growing reliance on private capital to finance essential public works. As global investors look beyond traditional markets, the combination of Qatar’s deep-pocketed investment groups and Africa’s infrastructure deficit creates a unique environment for large-scale, long-term construction partnerships.
Key Infrastructure Projects Under Consideration
| Project | Location | Primary Objective |
|---|---|---|
| New International Airport | Bishoftu, Ethiopia | Aviation hub for 100M passengers |
| Highway Development | Democratic Republic of Congo | Regional trade connectivity |
Leadership and Corporate Footprint
The expansion is steered by brothers Moutaz and Ramez Al-Khayyat, who have established themselves as key players in the Qatari business landscape. Ramez Al-Khayyat, based in Doha, serves as the President and Group CEO of Power International Holding (PIH), where he is responsible for the firm’s global strategy and operational growth. His brother, Moutaz Al-Khayyat, serves as the founder and chairman of PIH and holds leadership roles in several other influential entities, including the dairy producer Baladna and the investment group Estithmar Holding.
UCC Holding, a core subsidiary of PIH, has built a reputation as a major regional contractor, having successfully delivered large-scale, complex infrastructure projects within Qatar and various international markets. Their entry into the African market is not an isolated development but rather a continuation of the family’s broader strategy to diversify their portfolio beyond the Middle East.
Market Dynamics and Future Outlook
The interest from Gulf investors is largely driven by the search for stable, long-term returns in emerging markets. Infrastructure, particularly in the transport and logistics sectors, offers the kind of multi-decade horizon that aligns well with the investment mandates of groups like PIH. However, these projects are subject to complex negotiations, regulatory requirements and the standard procurement processes of the host nations.
While the potential for these developments is substantial, the finalization of any contract depends on the successful outcome of competitive bidding processes and the alignment of government-backed requirements. The next checkpoint for these initiatives will be the formal selection of partners and the finalization of project financing agreements by the respective national authorities. Observers in the construction and finance sectors continue to track these developments as indicators of how private foreign capital will reshape the African infrastructure landscape in the coming years.
Disclaimer: This article provides information based on market reports and corporate activities and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Infrastructure projects in emerging markets involve significant risks and long-term regulatory dependencies.
We invite our readers to share their thoughts on the role of private capital in African development in the comments section below. For the latest updates on these projects, follow official announcements from the relevant government ministries and the respective investment firms.
