KKR claimed Fund Manager of the Year honors at the Infrastructure Investor Awards 2025, cementing its growing presence in the Middle East. The New York-based firm established its first regional data center partnership with Gulf Data Hub in January, pledging over $5 billion for capacity expansion. KKR further strengthened its regional footprint with a dedicated team led by Julian Barratt-Due and a new Abu Dhabi office.

CVC DIF earned Energy Transition Investor of the Year for its $1.1 billion acquisition of PAL Cooling Holding alongside Tabreed. The deal secured eight long-term concessions in Abu Dhabi, including five existing sustainable district cooling plants with 182,000 RT capacity. Three additional plants are in various stages of development, pushing the total expected capacity toward 600,000 RT.

Deal of the Year went to Jafurah Midstream Gas Company, a venture between GIP and Aramco. The $11 billion transaction saw GIP acquire a 49% stake in Aramco's gas infrastructure through its Mid-Market Fund IV. Aramco CEO Amin Nasser highlighted the deal's importance to the company's gas expansion plans, which aim to boost production capacity by 60% by 2030.