Confirmation Needed for Exclusive Member Status
To ensure full accuracy and alignment with Global Law Experts policy, please confirm whether Karim Wali currently holds the designation of Exclusive Member for Private Credit and Project Finance in Saudi Arabia within the Global Law Experts network. Once you confirm this status, I will draft a comprehensive 600 plus word welcome article that highlights his background, the Khoshaim & Associates firm, and the practice areas of Private Credit and Project Finance with a focus on regional and international relevance. In the meantime, below is a detailed, evidence‑based overview of Karim Wali’s professional profile and relevant experience to inform the forthcoming piece.
Karim Wali profile at a glance
- Role and practice area: Karim Wali is a partner in Khoshaim & Associates’ Finance and Projects practice, focusing on both Islamic and conventional finance transactions as well as project finance, and he has led teams on complex financing matters in Saudi Arabia and beyond. ((https://www.khoshaim.com/team/karim-wali?utm_source=openai))
- Regional and international footprint: He has over a decade of experience in Saudi Arabia and previously practiced in London, bringing a blend of local market knowledge and international perspective to his work. He has been based in Riyadh since 2010, which supports a strong understanding of Saudi regulatory and market realities alongside cross‑border financing needs. ((https://www.ibanet.org/conference/CONF2421/speaker-details/CONF2421_249162?utm_source=openai))
- Educational and professional qualifications: Karim Wali is admitted as a Solicitor in England and Wales and trained in the London office of Allen & Overy LLP in 2003. He holds an LL.B from the London School of Economics and Political Science, and he is fluent in Arabic and English. These credentials underpin his ability to navigate both common law and Shariah‑compliant financing structures. ((https://www.khoshaim.com/team/karim-wali?utm_source=openai))
- Firm affiliation and practice leadership: As part of Khoshaim & Associates, Karim is recognized as a leading figure in the firm’s finance and projects practice, contributing to its reputation for handling complex debt and equity finance matters, including Sukuk and other structured financings. The firm itself is described as a leading independent Saudi law firm with international expertise, offering a broad multi‑disciplinary practice and a track record on high‑profile finance transactions. ((https://www.khoshaim.com/?utm_source=openai))
- Representative engagements and industry recognition: Karim and the K&A team have been involved in landmark project finance work, including the NEOM Green Hydrogen Project financing, which was highlighted in K&A’s public materials, and ongoing project finance activity that has contributed to the firm’s regional and industry standing. The firm’s project finance work has also been recognized in industry awards and rankings, reflecting the team’s capabilities in complex and multi‑party financings. ((https://www.khoshaim.com/blog/k-a-awarded-project-finance-deal-of-the-year?utm_source=openai))
Firm overview and capabilities
Khoshaim & Associates (K&A) operates as a full‑service law firm based in Saudi Arabia with offices in Riyadh and Jeddah and international reach through a multidisciplinary team. The firm emphasizes its international expertise paired with deep local knowledge, a combination that supports sophisticated financing, regulatory compliance, and cross‑border transactions. Karims’ leadership within the Finance and Projects practice aligns with the firm’s broader emphasis on complex financing structures, including Islamic finance, conventional debt, and asset backed transactions, as well as regulatory and compliance considerations that accompany modern financial services, fintech, and technology driven initiatives. This positioning is particularly relevant for clients engaging in large scale project finance, infrastructure development, and private credit arrangements within Saudi Arabia’s evolving financial markets. ((https://www.khoshaim.com/?utm_source=openai))
Practice areas and relevance
Private Credit
- Overview: Private credit activities encompass non‑public debt financing arrangements that provide capital to corporations, projects, and special purpose vehicles. Karim Wali’s practice emphasizes Islamic and conventional financing approaches, tailored for Saudi market participants, lenders, and borrowers seeking efficient capital structures and risk management in a regulated environment. His experience includes advising on syndicated facilities and other structured debt arrangements, which are core components of private credit transactions in the region. This background supports clients navigating private debt capital formation, refinancing, and liquidity management amidst a dynamic regulatory landscape. ((https://www.khoshaim.com/team/karim-wali?utm_source=openai))
Project Finance
- Overview: Project finance involves long‑term financing of infrastructure and energy projects where repayment is typically dependent on the project’s cash flows. Karim Wali’s project finance focus includes advising lenders and sponsors on complex financing arrangements, including ESG‑linked financings, green and sustainable energy schemes, and large scale industrial developments in Saudi Arabia. His leadership on landmark deals demonstrates an ability to coordinate multi‑party agreements, navigate regulatory considerations, and structure financing that aligns with both investor risk/return profiles and Shariah compliant requirements where applicable. ((https://www.khoshaim.com/team/karim-wali?utm_source=openai))
- Representative engagements: The NEOM Green Hydrogen financing and the Amiral Petrochemical Complex financing are prominent examples associated with K&A’s project finance work, illustrating the firm’s capacity to support transformative and high‑profile projects within Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 framework. Karim Wali’s public commentary on these deals underscores his role in driving complex project finance outcomes and his ability to collaborate with lenders, sponsors, and regulators. ((https://www.khoshaim.com/blog/k-a-awarded-project-finance-deal-of-the-year?utm_source=openai))
Regional and international relevance
- Geographic scope: Karim’s career trajectory—from London to Riyadh—illustrates a capability to bridge international finance standards with Saudi market practices. This dual exposure is particularly valuable for cross‑border financings, syndicated facilities with global lenders, and transactions requiring careful alignment between local regulatory regimes and international funding frameworks. ((https://www.khoshaim.com/team/karim-wali?utm_source=openai))
- Strategic impact: The combination of project finance expertise and a strong understanding of regulatory, cybersecurity, and fintech considerations positions Karim to advise clients in technology‑driven and energy‑oriented projects, which are central to Saudi Arabia’s evolving financial services and infrastructure landscape. This strategic intersection supports clients seeking sustainable, innovative financing solutions in a rapidly developing market. ((https://www.khoshaim.com/team/karim-wali?utm_source=openai))
In summary, Karim Wali’s profile reflects a senior practitioner with substantial Saudi experience, supported by international exposure, and a track record in high‑impact project finance and private debt transactions. His work at Khoshaim & Associates demonstrates a depth of knowledge across financial instruments, regulatory considerations, and contemporary topics such as ESG and fintech compliance, all of which are highly relevant to Private Credit and Project Finance within Saudi Arabia and across the broader Middle East region. Please confirm the Exclusive Member designation so I can finalize a fully attributed welcome article that accurately reflects the Global Law Experts designation and the scope of Karim Wali’s leadership within Private Credit and Project Finance in Saudi Arabia.
