Prof. Dr. Mohamed S. Abdel Wahab is Founding Partner and Head of the International Arbitration, Construction and Energy Groups at Zulficar & Partners Law Firm, as well as Professor of International Arbitration, Private International Law, and English Contract Law at Cairo University. He is one of the world’s leading figures in international arbitration, construction law and ODR. He is the 2025 Global President of the Ciarb 2025, Chair of the ICC Governing Body for Dispute Resolution, Dean of the Africa Arbitration Academy, Member of the Governing Board of ICCA, Member of the Curatorium of the Hague Academy of International Law, and a Member of the Court of Arbitration of the PCA in The Hague.

He has acted as chair, sole arbitrator, co-arbitrator, counsel, and legal expert in over 280 arbitrations across the globe, under the auspices of leading institutions including the ICC, ICSID, LCIA, SIAC, DIAC, CRCICA, HKIAC, SCC, KIAC, BCDR, QICCA, LMAA, ADCCAC, and UNCITRAL proceedings. These cases involved parties and jurisdictions in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas, and were governed by diverse legal systems from civil law, common law and Islamic Shari’a law traditions. His experience covers disputes in construction, energy, oil and gas, infrastructure, investment, international trade and finance, telecommunications, aviation, insurance, joint ventures, M&A, tourism, and technology, with claims ranging from tens of millions to hundreds of billions of dollars. WWL: Construction (2024) describe him as “one of the best”, “a thought leader and one of the leading figures in the market”, and “a clear, focused and fair construction arbitrator". WWL: Construction (2023) describes him as “an all-time great of construction law” and “our go-to lawyer for construction cases” while Chambers Global (2023) notes that “he is the crème de la crème in the field and someone who impresses with his unmatched mastery of complex legal issues across various legal systems and sectors” Peers and clients commend him as “razor sharp and hugely experienced in arbitration matters” (WWL Arbitration Thought Leaders, 2024), and Lexology calls him “a superstar in the field” and “an inspirational leader in arbitration and construction law”. WWL Arbitration 2021-2024 says “he is truly in a league of his own”. He has prosecuted as counsel and sat as arbitrator in many high profile construction cases in the MENA region, Africa and beyond.

He has authored and co-authored numerous publications on international arbitration, investment arbitration, construction law, Islamic finance, and online dispute resolution. He also delivered lectures and keynotes in numerous jurisdictions and at leading academic, professional and arbitral institutions across the globe. His leadership has been acknowledged through numerous accolades, including recognition in THE LAW Power List 2025 revealed during the Paris Arbitration Week, the LAW Magazine’s Recognition of Legal Excellence (2024), and Client Choice International Awards (2020, 2021).

Fluent in Arabic and English, and with very good working knowledge of French, Prof. Dr. Abdel Wahab brings a uniquely global perspective, deep academic grounding, and unparalleled practical experience to the most complex disputes of our time.