Dentons wins Deal of the Year: Project Finance award at the IFLR Middle East Awards 2025

Dubai-Dentons is proud to be recognised at the IFLR Middle East Awards 2025 with the Deal of the Year: Project Finance Award for its work on the landmark Hafeet Rail project.

The awards ceremony took place at the Mandarin Oriental Jumeirah in Dubai on 22 October 2025.

The Hafeet Rail project is the GCC's first cross-border rail network. It spans 238km, connecting the UAE and Oman and linking major ports and industrial zones. The project was financed on a limited recourse project-finance basis, securing US$1.5 billion from a consortium of 17 banks, and includes both conventional and Islamic financing facilities. It is expected to boost economic growth, reduce travel time, support sustainability goals (including carbon emissions reduction) and serve as a model for future rail projects navigating cross-border regulatory frameworks.

"We were delighted to receive this award at this year's IFLR Middle East Awards, recognising our work on the landmark Hafeet Rail project, which continues to pick up multiple awards," said Stephen Knight, Abu Dhabi-based Partner and Head of the Middle East Banking team at Dentons. "This achievement is a testament to the exceptional collaboration between our clients and teams across the region, and demonstrates Dentons' continued leadership in delivering innovative and impactful financing solutions."

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