The Nemetschek Group, a leading global software provider for the Architecture, Engineering, Construction and Operations (AEC/O) sector, has entered a strategic partnership with WakeCap Technologies, the Middle East’s foremost construction technology company specialising in sensor-powered, real-time project control systems. The collaboration aims to accelerate digital transformation across the Gulf Cooperation Council’s (GCC) construction ecosystem.

The partnership combines Nemetschek Group’s extensive portfolio of industry-leading software solutions with WakeCap’s advanced sensor-powered platform, which provides real-time workforce visibility and comprehensive site intelligence. WakeCap currently operates across projects exceeding US$100bn, tracking over 150 million worker hours, and has delivered significant outcomes including more than a 90% reduction in safety violation observations, productivity gains exceeding 25%, and incident response times cut by over 70%. Its safety solutions are now mandatory across major regional projects, including Aramco, Neom, and Qiddiya.

Under the agreement, both companies will jointly pursue business opportunities and initiatives within the GCC. WakeCap’s regional expertise and established relationships with leading owners and contractors will support Nemetschek Arabia and its affiliates in market entry and expansion, offering localised insights and access to a network of industry partners. The collaboration also includes developing joint go-to-market strategies targeting construction and real estate stakeholders and exploring integration of WakeCap technologies with Nemetschek platforms such as Bluebeam, dTwin, and GoCanvas.

Partnership aims

The partnership extends to knowledge exchange, co-creating thought leadership content, whitepapers, digital construction initiatives, and joint participation in regional industry events. Both organisations will also explore synergies in the infrastructure and natural resources sectors, where demand for intelligent, data-driven project delivery solutions is growing.

Marc Nezet, Group Chief Strategy Officer and Chief Division Officer of Nemetschek Group, said, “WakeCap is one of the most innovative frontrunners in the global construction tech landscape. Their ability to deliver real-time visibility and actionable insights at scale is reshaping how major infrastructure projects are built and managed. By combining Nemetschek’s world-class software capabilities with WakeCap’s cutting-edge solutions and regional strength, we are excited to unlock transformative outcomes for the GCC’s construction sector.”

Muayad Simbawa, Managing Director of Nemetschek Arabia, added, “This collaboration marks a significant milestone in our mission to accelerate digital innovation in construction across the Gulf region. Together with WakeCap, we aim to deliver more connected, intelligent, and efficient project delivery models that align with the region’s national development agendas and sustainability goals.”

Dr. Hassan Albalawi, CEO and Founder of WakeCap, said, “This partnership validates our vision of transforming construction through real-time intelligence. We’ve proven our technology can fundamentally change how giga-projects are delivered, reducing risk, and driving efficiency. Now, by combining our field-proven platform with Nemetschek’s global reach and software ecosystem, we’re not just expanding our market, we’re defining the future of construction technology. Our joint solutions will become the global benchmark for intelligent project delivery, starting here in the GCC where the world’s most ambitious projects are already relying on WakeCap.”

This agreement underscores Nemetschek Group’s ongoing commitment to driving digital innovation in construction and infrastructure markets worldwide. With the GCC construction market valued at over US$120bn annually and several multi-trillion-dollar national transformation programs underway, the region represents an ideal proving ground for these advanced technologies.

A new report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) reveals that women make up 32% of full-time employees in the renewables sector, a figure that has remained unchanged since the agency’s first gender analysis in 2019.

Although the proportion is higher than in other energy industries, the findings show that meaningful progress towards gender equality in the sector has stalled.

The second edition of Renewable Energy: A Gender Perspective offers IRENA’s most comprehensive assessment yet of women’s participation in the renewable energy workforce and the barriers they continue to face.

The report warns that without stronger action to improve representation, the global energy transition risks being neither fair nor sustainable, potentially leading to labour shortages and limited diversity in leadership and decision-making.

Women remain underrepresented in senior leadership, holding only 19% of such positions. They make up 45% of administrative roles but just 28% of jobs in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Representation is lowest at 22% in technical trades such as installation, machinery operation, and electrical work, which require vocational or technical training.

Gender disparity

“Advancing gender equality in the renewable energy sector depends on robust data, targeted policy interventions and active collaboration of all stakeholders. Our analysis is the only of its kind to fill this knowledge gap. Unfortunately, despite performing better than in fossil fuel industries, little progress has been made. The sector still has a lot of work to do. To realise the energy transition’s full potential, women must be recognised as equal partners and leaders in shaping the renewables-based future,” said IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera.

Systemic barriers continue to hinder women’s advancement at every career stage, from gender bias and cultural stereotypes to the challenge of balancing professional and caregiving responsibilities. Discriminatory practices and glass ceilings further limit their access to leadership roles.

In non-governmental organisations focused on off-grid and community-based projects, women represent around 35% of employees, suggesting significant potential for expanding their leadership and influence in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal of universal energy access.

The study also identifies disparities between organisational types: women make up only 25% of the workforce in private enterprises compared with 48% in NGOs and 37% in government or non-commercial institutions.

The report calls for coordinated action across all levels. Governments should enforce non-discrimination laws, ensure equal pay, and integrate gender equality into climate and energy policies. Employers are urged to adopt flexible work arrangements, transparent recruitment, mentorship programmes, and safe workplaces. Educational institutions, trade unions, and civil society must also help dismantle stereotypes, expand opportunities, and promote accountability.

The region’s leading exhibition for metalworking, metal manufacturing, and steel fabrication will return to Sharjah in January 2026, highlighting the UAE’s growing industrial strength and its commitment to safety, efficiency, and sustainability in advanced manufacturing.

Now in its 21^st edition, SteelFab 2026 will be held at Expo Centre Sharjah from 12-15 January, bringing together global industry leaders to showcase cutting-edge fabrication technologies, machinery, and safety-focused industrial solutions.

Sharjah’s rapidly growing economy, bolstered by a 361% surge in foreign direct investment to US$1.5bn in the first half of 2025, further underlines the significance of the event. The emirate’s expanding industrial base and strong infrastructure continue to attract global manufacturers and suppliers, reinforcing its role as a hub for innovation and safe production practices.

“SteelFab continues to grow in relevance as the UAE intensifies its focus on industrial development and global trade partnerships,” said H.E. Saif Mohamed Al Midfa, CEO, Expo Centre Sharjah.

“The UAE’s industrial sector is witnessing unprecedented growth. The event reflects the country’s strategic direction, where policy support, innovation, and international collaboration are driving a new era of industrial growth and competitiveness.”

The UAE’s industrial outlook remains optimistic, with GDP forecast to grow by 4.9% in 2025 and 5.3% in 2026. With over US$11bn in financing directed toward industrial companies, the country’s manufacturing ecosystem is poised for expansion, underpinned by strong regulatory standards and safety-driven innovation.

“The exhibition will feature next-generation solutions—from robotics, smart manufacturing, and inline metrology to noncontact measurement and portable 3D scanning, that enhance precision and reduce waste. Sustainability will be central, with energy-efficient tools and lifecycle analysis strategies. By blending automation with human expertise, SteelFab 2026 positions itself as the definitive venue for fabricators seeking resilience and future-ready operations,” said Sultan Shattaf, commercial director of Expo Centre Sharjah.

A major highlight will be the 5^th Best Welder Competition, sponsored by ESAB, spotlighting top talent and promoting safety in welding and cutting operations through advanced robotic technologies.

Building on the record-breaking success of its 20th edition, which attracted over 350 exhibitors from 33 countries, SteelFab 2026 is expected to host more than 650 leading brands and showcase the innovations shaping the future of safe, efficient, and sustainable manufacturing.