Today's Edition
MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)
The UAE has topped the 2025 edition of Forbes Middle East’s Most Impactful Real Estate Leaders list, with 42 company heads recognised for their influence and achievements.
The list highlights key figures who are driving the future of real estate across the MENA region. Following the UAE’s lead are Saudi Arabia and Egypt, with 21 and 16 entries, respectively.
The rankings reflect a year of remarkable growth for MENA’s property sector in 2024, underscored by record-breaking transactions, major mega-projects, and soaring investor confidence, according to Forbes Middle East.
“The region positioned itself as a driving force in the global property market, with Dubai leading the charge as one of the most dynamic and resilient real estate markets worldwide,” it said.
Dubai’s real estate sector saw a 20% surge in transaction value, reaching $207.2 billion in 2024. Investor activity soared, with 110,000 new investors entering the market – a 55% increase from 2023.
Residential transactions alone witnessed a 47% year-on-year jump, according to Savills Middle East, driven by robust demand for premium properties and continued government support.
Abu Dhabi also posted solid gains, recording a 10.45% increase in real estate transactions, totalling $26.2 billion, as per the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s residential real estate market experienced unprecedented growth across Riyadh, Jeddah, and the Dammam Metropolitan Area, with transactions hitting $32 billion – up 50% year on year, according to Deloitte.
The broader MENA region was defined by bold development strategies, including multi-billion-dollar mega-projects in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. One of the most high-profile deals was a $35-billion investment partnership between Egypt and the UAE’s ADQ-led consortium to build the $24-billion Ras El Hekma city on Egypt’s North Coast.
Top Real Estate Figures
Ranking first on the UAE’s list of real estate leaders is Hussain Sajwani, Founder and Chairman of DAMAC Properties. Sajwani, whose net worth doubled to $10.2 billion over the past year, recently led the firm’s largest-ever Sukuk issuance of $750 million and unveiled a bold $20-billion data center investment in the US through EDGNEX.
Mohamed Alabbar, Founder and Managing Director of Emaar Properties in the UAE, placed second on the list. Emaar owns Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, and Address Dubai Mall, among other landmarks in Dubai. In 2024, Emaar hit record highs with $9.7 billion in revenue and $19 billion in property sales – a 72% increase from the previous year.
Third on the list is Talal Al Dhiyebi, Group CEO of Aldar Properties. In 2024, Aldar reported total assets of $23.3 billion and generated $6.3 billion in revenue. That same year, the company expanded its strategic partnership with Mubadala, launching four new ventures worth $8.2 billion.
Leaders were evaluated based on a range of metrics, including years of experience, company assets and revenues, ownership stakes, the value and scale of projects completed or underway, and the size of the landbank and unit inventory.
