Riyadh is set to introduce mandatory accreditation for infrastructure project contractors from January 1, 2027, as authorities move to strengthen oversight, improve project delivery and raise standards across the region’s infrastructure sector.
The Riyadh Infrastructure Projects Center (RIPC) has announced that companies will be required to obtain accreditation from the Center before they can undertake infrastructure projects in the Riyadh region. With 90 days remaining before the requirement comes into force, contractors that have not secured the necessary accreditation will not be permitted to carry out covered infrastructure works.
The new framework forms part of RIPC’s broader efforts to develop and standardize the infrastructure project implementation system in Riyadh. The initiative is designed to improve efficiency across the sector while strengthening compliance with technical, quality, safety and environmental requirements.
According to the Center, the accreditation system is intended to provide greater assurance that companies involved in infrastructure projects possess the capabilities and resources required to deliver work effectively.
By establishing common assessment criteria, the framework seeks to ensure that contractors are appropriately equipped to manage projects according to their size, complexity and technical requirements.
Accreditation Based on Three Key Criteria
RIPC’s accreditation assessment will evaluate contractors across three principal areas: technical and operational capabilities, financial stability, and professional experience.
Technical and operational capabilities will account for 55 percent of the overall assessment, making it the largest component of the accreditation framework. This category is intended to examine whether companies have the technical resources, operational capacity and expertise necessary to undertake infrastructure projects.
Financial stability will represent 25 percent of the assessment. The criterion is designed to determine whether contractors have sufficient financial strength and solvency to support project execution and meet their obligations throughout the implementation process.
The remaining 20 percent will be allocated to professional experience, reflecting the importance of a contractor’s previous experience and track record in delivering relevant infrastructure works.
Together, the three criteria are intended to provide a structured assessment of a company’s overall readiness to undertake infrastructure projects.
RIPC said the accreditation framework is also aimed at strengthening compliance with established quality, safety and environmental standards. By requiring contractors to demonstrate minimum levels of technical competence, financial capacity and professional experience, the system is expected to help reduce operational risks during project implementation.
The Center expects the accreditation system to contribute to improved execution quality and more consistent delivery across infrastructure projects. It could also support the long-term sustainability of infrastructure assets and the services they provide to residents throughout the Riyadh region.
With the mandatory requirement scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027, infrastructure contractors operating in or seeking to enter the Riyadh market face a defined deadline to meet the accreditation requirements.
