September 19, 2026
Building the World’s Infrastructure: Sadek Wahba on Alt Goes Mainstream Podcast
On this podcast episode, Sadek explores how private capital, disciplined risk assessment, and I Squared’s middle-market platform-building approach can help meet growing global infrastructure needs.
Building infrastructure is not only a question of capital. It is also a question of who pays for it, who owns it, who manages it, and who is ultimately accountable for the quality of the service it provides.
In this conversation with Alt Goes Mainstream host Michael Sidgmore, Founder, Chairman and Managing Partner Sadek Wahba draws on his experience at the World Bank and building I Squared to explore the relationship between infrastructure, economic growth, and quality of life. He explains why successful infrastructure investment requires clear roles across ownership, management, regulation, and funding, alongside incentives that support reliable service over the long term.
The discussion also examines I Squared’s middle-market investment approach. Sadek describes how the firm identifies businesses with strong infrastructure characteristics, works closely with management teams, and draws on expertise from across sectors and geographies to build larger, more resilient platforms. He also discusses why the middle market can provide more opportunities to improve operations, pursue growth, and manage risk than simply acquiring mature assets at scale.
Risk is another central theme. Sadek considers the challenges created by regulation, capital intensity, and the difference between perceived and actual risk, as well as the importance of understanding the local political, economic, and operating environment before making a long-term investment.
Looking ahead, the conversation explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping infrastructure in two ways: driving significant demand for power, transmission, and data centers, while also creating new tools to help physical assets operate more intelligently and efficiently.
Sadek closes by considering the scale of global infrastructure needs, the role private capital can play alongside governments, and the potential to broaden participation in an asset class connected to essential services and long-term economic development.
Watch more episodes of the Alt Goes Mainstream podcast >
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