This workshop takes a detailed look at PPPs, considering how the structure can be used to support budget-strapped governments in countries with significant infrastructure needs. 

• What role do PPPs play in an African market where private capital is increasingly important? 

• How do we demystify PPPs whilst ensuring they are properly understood? 

• What types of blended finance solutions and risk mitigation instruments can de-risk projects for private investors? 

• How can PPPs that work in other markets be adapted to suit Africa’s specific needs?

The Middle East is home to some strong emerging markets, but sourcing financing can be challenging. This workshop considers the upcoming emerging markets in the Middle East, asking:

• What opportunities are available in MENA’s smaller markets, like Iraq, Jordan, and even Syria? 

• What ECA support is available for emerging market economies? 

• What role do banks have to play in emerging markets? How can we reshape risk perception to ensure that emerging market projects get financed?

We open MEA 2026 with the latest trends and insights from Exile Group’s Intelligence platform. 

• What are the highest performing sectors in Africa and the Middle East? 

• Where do business interests in the Middle East and Africa overlap? Have we seen an increase in collaboration between the two regions since last year’s event? 

• Which ECAs are leading the way in the region?

Hear from our hosts in the UAE on their outlook for the region.

This session takes you through a country risk outlook on the Gulf region and Africa including trade flows, ongoing investments, and debt sustainability

The Middle East & Africa boasts strong regional agencies, many of whom are keen to collaborate. Africa, in particular, provides fantastic opportunities for Middle Eastern exporters and EPCs, which agencies are looking to support. This panel asks:

• What are the latest projects, policies, and initiatives from regional agencies in Africa and the Middle East? 

• What African projects have Middle Eastern agencies backed, and where can they make a difference in the continent’s significant financing needs? 

• What examples of collaboration between local and international ECAs should the market seek to emulate?

Sovereign finance is critical for emerging market transactions. This panel gathers sovereigns and experts on government backed financings to consider:

• How can ECAs better support sovereign guaranteed projects? 

• What bankable emerging market projects are on the horizon? 

• How can tools like reinsurance, co-financing, and blended finance support sovereign backed transactions?

Take a moment to exchange business cards over coffee. 

The Middle East is in a great position to become a solar and wind powerhouse, with many countries setting ambitious targets for the sector. Here, we consider:

• What complex financial structures have been used to close large, long-term wind and solar deals?

• How is the market primed to manage supply chain disruptions? 

• How does the sector approach intermittency and energy storage gaps?

Developers are chomping at the bit to push forward with emerging technologies like sustainable fuels, but cost and regulations are a constant barrier. This session considers the opportunities that can be unlocked provided that these hurdles can be overcome. 

• How can the market improve lender confidence in newer technologies? 
• How can developers and financiers manage the ‘green premium’ often added to sustainable fuel deals, and work towards securing long-term offtake agreements? 
• How can the market streamline permitting and cross-border agreements on sustainability standards to improve the regulatory environment surrounding sustainable fuels?
• How important are DFIs and ECAs to supporting e-fuel growth?

Despite a flurry of activity in the wake of the pandemic, deal volumes surrounding healthcare and education projects in Africa have slowed. This panel interrogates how we can boost activity in this critical sector:

• How do we prioritise healthcare for debt burdened governments? 

• What role do ECAs, DFIs, and commercial banks need to play on these transactions? What interesting projects are in the pipeline? 

• How can we facilitate local partnerships which are key to financing these deals?

As governments feel their budgets tightening, private equity has a lot to offer on African projects. This session considers:

• What structures can private and public players collaborate on? How do we create scale in blended finance transactions?
• What makes a project attractive to private investors? How can we overcome FX currency risk that can deter investors? 
• How public institutions can collaborate with the private market to bring more deals to the table
• How do we encourage market integration to create larger, more investable instruments  that appeal to global capital pools?

Sit down with your next business partner over lunch.

With elections fast approaching, Iraq has opened the doors to large ticket export financing. Given the high financing and premium costs in the country, lots can be learned from companies who have already closed business in Iraq. This session considers:

• How can we address outdated risk perceptions of Iraq to boost investor confidence? 

• How do we boost correspondent banking relationships between international and local counterparts?

• How do we transform billions of dollars worth of opportunity into reality?

With an estimated $1.1 trillion worth of projects in the works, the scale of opportunity in Saudi Arabia is staggering. This session provides a deep dive into this land of plenty: 

• What project opportunities should financiers keep an eye on as KSA strives to diversify its economy away from oil and gas? 

• How will the export finance community contribute to Saudi’s energy transformation? Who is working on active projects, and where is development still needed?

• Will the drop in oil prices put any Vision 2030 projects in jeopardy?

Agriculture plays a vital part in Africa’s economy, but does the sector get the financial support it needs? This session considers agriculture holistically, focusing on how to capture the value of natural resources within the continent .

• How can the market finance logistics and infrastructure to better support Africa’s agribusiness sector? 
• How do we mitigate lender and ECA risk aversion to the sector? 
• What role does blended finance have to play in the agriculture space?

As population level grows, so does demand for energy. Whilst the picture may be more complex in emerging markets, there is significant opportunity for development in the African renewables space. This session considers:

• How do market leaders balance sustainability, reliability, and affordability for African renewables projects?

• What role do balancing power plants have on supporting green energy in Africa? How should the grid cope with intermittency? 

• Are PPPs the answer?

• How can we balance power plants, grid modernisation, and storage solutions to target intermittency?

In our new gameshow, we examine one of the most talked about structures in today's market: the humble PPP. We present our panellists with a range of potential projects, and ask the audience to vote on which option is the best candidate for a PPP. Get your phones out and be ready to cast your votes! 

Grab a drink and get networking at our drinks reception!

In partnership with HSBC and WEXIF, this interactive briefing celebrates women in export finance. We start with a keynote briefing before splitting into smaller groups to encourage networking, allyship, and personal development.

Welcome to the final day of MEA 2026!

As our geopolitical keynote highlighted, today’s business environment is tough on emerging markets. This session gathers influential DFIs and multilaterals to discuss the role they fill:

• Will DFIs step in to fill the vacuum left by US programmes in Africa? How are they responding to this huge shift in trade? 
• What successful blended finance structures have been deployed to execute projects in the last year?
• What products, policies, and initiatives do DFIs offer to support emerging markets? Where have they been willing to change their policies to match market demands?

In this session, we directly compare international ECA offerings in the Middle East and Africa. We ask our ECAs: 

• What projects, policies, and initiatives are ECAs offering that will benefit projects in Africa and the Middle East?

• How do ECAs approach ESGs in Africa and the Middle East? Is there any room for flexibility in emerging markets? 

• How will ECAs contribute to the success of trade in turbulent times? 

• What untied products are available, and how have they supported transactions in Africa and the Middle East?

Use this networking break to introduce yourself to your next business partner. 

The Middle East is a hub for large scale infrastructure developers, with developers and borrowers on the export finance market securing large CapEx deals backed by good credit. This panel examines large scale infra in the region:

• With large amounts of liquidity on the market, what role do ECAs have to play in a well financed space?
• What innovative structures have been used on large scale projects?  
• How are borrowers managing increased risk?

Examining the latest trends around project finance structures for data center development (SPVs, PPA-style anchor contracts)

Case studies of recent local data center financings

Evaluating the role of sovereign wealth funds, telcos, international tech giants, and regional developers.

Analysing key risk allocation: construction, operation, take-or-pay/offtake, and technology obsolescence

Countries like Angola, Cote D’Ivoire, and Ghana have led the way on water and sanitation projects, using a combination of ECAs, DFIs, and other innovative solutions. 

• What blended finance structures have supported recent transactions in the sector?

• How can local currency tranches be mobilised into water deals? 

• How can we overcome regulatory hurdles?

With their in-depth market understanding and nimble products, local institutions make all the difference on African transactions. This session considers:

● What role do local banks have in financing African infrastructure projects?

● Why is it so important to have a local partner on African transactions?

● How can local banks collaborate with international ECAs, DFIs, and financial institutions?

We wrap up the event with top take aways delivered directly from Exile Group’s AI platform, Flow.

Join us for a relaxed evening of networking at our official icebreaker located in the beautiful Tamoka Beach Bar!

RSVP IS ESSENTIAL - Please register your attendance for this activity via the button in the top right hand corner (visible only to logged in delegates) ↗

Thank you for joining us for the first day of TXF MEA 2026!

Finish the event with one last networking lunch, a final chance to exchange business cards! 

Hi Excellency Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade, UAE, provides a strategic oversight of the Department's exciting and innovative plans for 2026 and beyond. 

Discover how innovative structuring and robust export credit support powered Space42’s landmark satellite project with a ground-breaking Bpifrance-covered financing. In this case study, we unpack the journey from concept to close, including how risk allocation, cross-border challenges, and ECA-backed solutions helped bring new space infrastructure to the UAE. Hear directly from dealmakers about what set this transaction apart, what lessons were learned, and how creative collaboration can future-proof major space and tech investments.