Abu Dhabi, where vision drives impact

Starzplay achieves 2.5x revenue growth with ADIO support

Subscription video-on-demand service, Starzplay, has reported record-breaking financial and operational milestones in 2024 with the strategic support of the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO).

The company’s revenue has successfully surpassed the AED 370 million mark, reflecting the success of its long-term growth strategy and strategic partnerships and exhibiting over 2.5x revenue growth since the partnership’s commencement in 2022.

Since partnering with ADIO in 2022, Starzplay says it has witnessed exponential growth, strengthening its regional footprint. Its headquarters at Abu Dhabi’s Yas Creative Hub, now with over 40 employees, serve as a hub for AI-driven content curation, fan engagement, and streaming innovation.

With Abu Dhabi investing heavily in media infrastructure, including Yas Creative Hub and advanced cloud services, the UAE capital aims to cement its role as a regional powerhouse for digital entertainment, driven by the rise of major players like Starzplay.

“Starzplay is a prime example of how Abu Dhabi is shaping a dynamic, innovation-led digital economy,” said His Excellency Badr Al-Olama, Director General of ADIO. “By supporting companies like Starzplay to grow and innovate, we are empowering high-growth companies to create jobs and drive industry transformation. The results achieved in 2024 are a testament to this successful collaboration and reinforce the emirate’s position as a global hub for media, entertainment and technology.”

Starzplay also has launched its AI-powered Starzplay Fantasy Sports, leveraging support from ADIO. This Abu Dhabi-developed platform allows fans to engage with live matches in real-time. Its personalisation engine utilises advanced machine learning to provide users with tailored recommendations, improving retention and engagement rates.

“Our partnership with ADIO has played a key role in our journey,” said Maaz Sheikh, CEO of Starzplay. “ADIO’s support has helped us expand our operations and introduce many solutions, such as AI-driven content discovery, improving the overall entertainment experience. As we look toward the future, we are committed to reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s leadership in the global media landscape.”

Starzplay further claims that its growth has boosted Abu Dhabi’s creative economy, creating jobs in media, production and technology while supporting the Abu Dhabi Film and TV Commission’s goals. Its investment in local content, including hit UAE series such as Kaboos and Million Dollar Listing UAE, has solidified the emirate as a leading hub for content creation, filmmaking and entertainment in the region.

With ADIO’s support, Starzplay will boost content production and invest in live sports and AI-driven experiences to enhance its digital offering.

China Construction Bank International (CCBI)

China Construction Bank International (CCBI) is the investment services arm of China Construction Bank Corporation. In November 2023, the arm signed a strategic China Construction Bank International (CCBI) is the investment services arm of China Construction Bank Corporation. In November 2023, the arm signed a strategic China Construction Bank International (CCBI) is the investment services arm of China Construction Bank Corporation. In November 2023, the arm signed a strategic

Abu Dhabi accelerates sustainable development through public-private partnerships

The framework strengthens cooperation between local and international investors and government entities with a focus on promoting investment in strategic sectors, furthering the emirate’s competitiveness, and bolstering economic prosperity. In Abu Dhabi, PPPs facilitate private sector involvement in public infrastructure development and value-added services, targeting sectors like renewable energy, transportation, and healthcare. From 2020-2024, ADIO facilitated a total of AED 2.4 billion in PPP deals, underscoring Abu Dhabi’s position as a premier investment destination.

The Zayed City Schools project exemplifies the success of Abu Dhabi's PPP model in education, representing the nation’s first time to have schools developed under a PPP framework. This collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) will deliver three state-of-the-art schools for over 5,000 students from kindergarten to high school.

The 22-year design, build, finance, and maintenance contract was awarded to a consortium led by BESIX, a Belgian construction group, and Plenary Group, an Australian infrastructure investor and developer, showcasing the PPP model’s capacity to integrate private sector efficiency with public interest.

Similarly, the Abu Dhabi LED Street Lighting Project, the first of its kind in the GCC region, involves retrofitting 176,000 streetlights with LEDs, supporting energy conservation, reducing emissions, and enhancing road safety. This two-phase project, to be executed in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), involves two separate 12.5-year concessions, the first of which was awarded to local firm Tatweer, and the second of which went to a consortium formed by French companies EDF and Engie.

ADIO also recently concluded the tender process for the Khalifa University student housing project, set to become the largest of its kind in the region with 3,260 rooms and shared facilities across two campuses. This project is the first PPP development to integrate the In-Country Value (ICV) scheme, supporting national economic goals by prioritising local procurement. The accommodation development includes a 23-year concession awarded to the KUnnected Living consortium, led by Plenary Group, BESIX, and Mazrui International, in collaboration with Khalifa University. The project illustrates the potential of PPPs to contribute economically while aligning with national priorities.

Together, ADIO’s PPP projects are expected to create nearly 5,000 construction jobs and 450 operational roles, directly impacting local employment. The framework enables more effective utilisation of the public budget, optimising resources to achieve greater impact, with ADIO facilitating and the Department of Finance – Abu Dhabi (DoF) saving AED 1.4 billion in capital and operational costs and energy expenditures across these projects.

ADIO’s rigorous procurement and deal structuring have earned international acclaim. Zayed City Schools and the LED Street Lighting projects won “Deals of the Year” awards at the IJGlobal Awards in 2022 and 2023, affirming Abu Dhabi’s ability to attract and execute high-calibre projects, bolstering its reputation on the global stage.
Beyond individual projects, ADIO has pioneered advancements in regulations, governance, and innovation for PPPs, collaborating with the DoF to establish comprehensive accounting and budgeting policies to facilitate investment opportunities and further elevate Abu Dhabi’s standing as a hub for innovative public-private collaboration.

Public-private partnership (PPP) models have emerged as vital instruments for sustainable development and economic growth. By harnessing the strengths of both the public and private sectors, PPPs deliver impactful projects with sustainable socioeconomic benefits. These partnerships have gained international prominence, with World Bank data showing that PPP investments in developing countries surpassed $83 billion in 2020, despite global economic challenges. According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), PPPs have the potential to address the infrastructure financing gap, estimated to require $15 trillion by 2040, while reducing operational costs by up to 25%, according to a report by McKinsey.