Located in the World Islands — an archipelago of small man-made islands just off the coast of Dubai — is Amali Island. This collection of ultra-luxury villas touts itself as a development that “offers true waterfront living for the first time ever” in the UAE city. As a “holistic hideaway” destination, Amali Island has been making waves since its launch. This is the most recent project by Amali Properties, a real estate company dedicated to redefining luxury living founded by Ali and Amira Sajwani.
Bringing dreams and hope to life
Upon completion, Amali Island will feature a mix of 24 five-, six-, and seven-bedroom villas. The villas offer 360-degree views of the sea, the Dubai skyline, and Palm Jumeirah. Apart from that, each villa boasts up to 50 meters of private beach, complemented by community amenities including a state-of-the-art fitness center, an advanced spa, an exclusive members-only clubhouse, a top-tier restaurant, and access to a dedicated helipad for residents.
“I am pleased and excited to see the response that Amali has received after the launch of our most recent project, Amali Island. It is encouraging to see the reception the project has received both from a developer’s point of view as well as from the industry perspective of the demand in the UAE for ultra-luxury exclusive villa properties,” Sajwani shared in an exclusive interview with Economy Middle East.
The development, just a five- to seven-minute journey from the Dubai mainland, is conceptualized as a “sail-in, sail-out” villa community. It can be accessed by sea or air, with private berths available for docking and a floating helipad.
“We have partnered with some of the most esteemed professionals in the industry to realize this vision. The villas are designed by ELASTIC, a globally acclaimed firm known for high-end hospitality and immersive experiences, along with the renowned hospitality design firm Hirsch Bedner Associates and landscaping company SquareM,” Amira added.
“My brother Ali Sajwani and I envisioned Amali Island as a place we would personally want to call home. Our vision is to bring our clients’ dreams and hopes to life, which is why we named it Amali, derived from the Arabic word ‘Amal’, meaning hope,” Amira expressed.
For her, working with her brother is an incredibly rewarding experience.
“Our goal is to propel the business forward, and together, we form a solid foundation. I believe in the strength of our family bond, which is rooted in transparent communication and a deep personal connection,” she shared, noting that their vision goes beyond real estate.
“This connection is not just about work; it forms the basis of our everyday interactions. Our interdependence is crucial, and we thrive on our ability to rely on each other wholeheartedly,” she further remarked.
A bright beginning
Amali Island is a true real-estate standout, attracting a diverse clientele from various backgrounds and nationalities. These include buyers from Europe, East and South Asia, and multiple Arab countries.
Amira revealed in the interview that some of their clients intend to make Amali Island their permanent residence, while others see it as a valuable investment opportunity. Many also plan to use it as a holiday home.
“It is impressive to witness how our project attracts such a broad spectrum of nationalities and fulfils their unique requirements,” she enthused.
In developing the project, she also shared that one of their biggest challenges was finding the perfect island. They had to ensure proximity to the Dubai mainland. After a 10-month-long search, they found the ideal location.
Amali Island spans two distinct islands — São Paulo and Uruguay within the World Islands — and covers a total of around 1.2 million sq ft. While The World Islands project has faced challenges, such as development delays due to the 2008 market crash, Amali’s success is evident.
“We sold 22 of the 24 beachfront mansions in the first month of the launch of our project which is valued at $544.5 million. We have two remaining villas now, priced upwards of $13.6 million. This demonstrates the unique nature of our project, the strong demand, and our clients’ trust in us. We are fully confident in delivering the most significant project to date,” Amira disclosed.
This milestone marks a bright beginning for the development. Now, Amira’s immediate focus is to complete it by 2027, dedicating the company’s resources and attention over the next 18 months to ensure its success.
“While committed to this project, we are also exploring new opportunities within Dubai’s real estate market. It took us 10 months to select the ideal location for Amali Island, reflecting our strategic approach in planning future ventures that are even more innovative and unique. While I can’t divulge too much about our future projects at this stage, I encourage everyone to stay tuned for exciting announcements,” she noted.
Groundbreaking real estate platform
Apart from being the co-founder of Amali Properties, Amira is also the founder and CEO of PRYPCO, a real estate company disrupting the traditional market. One of the company’s best offerings is PRYPCO Blocks, a groundbreaking prop-tech platform that facilitates fractional ownership of properties. Just this May, the company successfully funded the first property on the platform.
The vision behind this product? Adapting to current demand.
“The current generation of investors is eager to gain exposure to the real estate market, the world’s largest asset class. However, high entry costs can pose a significant barrier for individuals with modest savings who are looking to make prudent investments,” Amira Sajwani stated.
With PRYPCO, the Emirati visionary is on a mission to revolutionize the real estate industry through fractional ownership, making investing more accessible to everyone.
Duly regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), PRYPCO Blocks was launched in January this year. Since its inception, it has already fully funded five properties and secured over AED6 million in investments, attracting investors from more than 130 nationalities with an average investment of AED8,400 per user.
Amira said, “With PRYPCO, you can start investing with as little as AED2,000. Our platform streamlines the process, allowing users to browse properties, check rental returns, and view market valuations in just 3 minutes. After investing, you receive a certificate of ownership that reflects your share in the property. This achievement is incredibly rewarding for me and the PRYPCO team.”
Beyond fractional ownership
Acting as a revolutionary enabler, PRYPCO also offers mortgage facilities and golden visa services.
“Over the past year, we have consolidated various services into a comprehensive platform, with a strong emphasis on our digitized mortgage offerings. Our goal is to simplify the process for real estate brokers, agents, buyers, investors, and developers, creating a seamless one-stop shop for all their needs. We have so far serviced over 2,000 clients, including UAE and non-UAE residents, disbursing more than AED1.5 billion in mortgages, with a 95 percent pre-approval rate achieved within 48 hours,” Amira revealed.
By digitizing the entire mortgage journey, PRYPCO can integrate with multiple parties, enabling clients to obtain immediate pre-approval without lengthy credit checks. This streamlines the process and reduces stress, encouraging a broader range of investors — from first-time buyers to seasoned professionals — to enter the market without the need to pay the full amount upfront.
Meanwhile, their golden visa services enhance the appeal for those seeking long-term residency in the UAE, offering benefits that make settling in the region more attractive.
“Dubai is on a promising trajectory, with increasing numbers of people wanting to live and raise their families here. Our services aim to address the challenges individuals face, creating a more accessible and rewarding real estate landscape. This approach allows investors to secure properties and enjoy a vibrant lifestyle in this dynamic market,” Amira stated.
Looking ahead, Amira’s goal for PRYPCO is to establish a strong presence in Dubai’s proptech and real estate industry and then, expand regionally.
Proptech, where technology meets real estate, encompasses a range of tools that enhance how people and businesses purchase, rent, and manage properties. According to a report by Future Market Insights, the global proptech market size is expected to grow from $19,608 million in 2023 to $47,842 million by 2032. This growth highlights the potential of technology to transform the real estate industry.
Amira noted, “Several startups are entering this space, aiming to revolutionize how people buy, rent, and own properties in the region. As the industry evolves, our platform is well-positioned to lead this transformation, providing innovative solutions that meet the changing needs of our clients. We are bringing the entire real estate experience under one platform, and I am excited about the future. We will continue to support retail clients who want to invest in Dubai’s real estate market.”
On effective leadership
With PRYPCO and Amali Properties’ recent milestones, Amira, who is still under 30 years old, has established herself as an entrepreneur with multiple ventures in her portfolio. She also holds the role of Managing Director at DAMAC, a leading luxury real estate developer in the Middle East.
“I’ve been fortunate to establish myself as an entrepreneur with multiple ventures. Growing up as the daughter of Hussain Sajwani, alongside my three brothers, has equipped me with a unique perspective and resilience that prepared me well for the real estate industry, and my role as Managing Director of Sales & Development at DAMAC has been instrumental in shaping my leadership skills,” she shared.
In her role at DAMAC, she is responsible for leading a team of professionals to identify new business opportunities and develop and implement strategic sales and marketing initiatives. This involves setting clear objectives, ensuring projects meet the highest standards of quality and customer satisfaction, and driving efforts toward successful project launches.
As one of the country’s most prominent young leaders, Amira recognizes the importance of communication.
“One of the key skills I’ve developed is effective communication, which is essential for articulating a clear vision and fostering collaboration within my team. I have also honed my adaptability, enabling me to navigate the fast-paced and ever-changing landscape of the real estate industry,” she remarked.
“Leadership, to me, is about inspiring and empowering my team to excel and fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and motivated to contribute their best. Through these experiences, I’ve learned the importance of perseverance and the ability to learn from setbacks, using them as stepping stones toward achieving long-term success. My time at DAMAC has provided me with invaluable insights into the real estate market, allowing me to refine my approach to leadership and apply these lessons across my various entrepreneurial ventures,” she added.
The sectors where she’s in — i.e., property and construction — are traditionally dominated by males. Breaking through stereotypes and gender bias, Amira noted that navigating a predominantly male-dominated industry has greatly refined her soft skills and advanced her career across diverse sectors.
She expressed, “I have honed qualities that have strengthened my assertiveness and confidence, with a focus on effective communication, adaptability, and problem-solving. Building strong relationships is essential for achieving strategic objectives and driving success.”
“For women aspiring to succeed in real estate and entrepreneurship, my advice is to break through barriers with confidence. Success requires hard work and effort; it does not happen overnight. Embrace challenges and move forward with the understanding that every experience shapes who you are both personally and professionally,” she added.
Helping budding entrepreneurs
While fulfilling her roles at DAMAC, Amali, and PRYPCO, Amira also wears the hat of an entertainer, as a judge on the popular reality TV series Shark Tank. The show provides budding entrepreneurs a platform to showcase their businesses, in hopes of attracting investments from a panel of investors called “sharks”.
“As an investor on Shark Tank, I look for disruptive ideas with the potential to transform markets and a clear path for growth. Startups should offer innovative solutions that address real needs, supported by solid proof of concept and market validation. I also evaluate the founder’s vision, resilience, and ability to lead a cohesive team effectively,” Amira said.
According to her, adaptability and openness to feedback are crucial, as entrepreneurs must navigate challenges and learn from setbacks.
She added, “A strategic understanding of the competitive landscape is vital for sustained success. Additionally, I seek startups that align with my values, particularly those with a positive social or environmental impact. When these elements come together, a startup is well-positioned for success in a competitive marketplace.”
Read more: Game changer: Amira Sajwani takes complexity out of real estate transactions
Lessons from her family
Amid all her successes in her career, Amira is keen to be involved in various corporate social responsibility initiatives.
“As with charity, a charitable nature begins at home. Growing up, my brothers and I have observed my father’s altruistic mindset, which instilled a strong sense of responsibility in us that we have tried to imbibe in our own personal endeavors,” Amira Sajwani stated.
At DAMAC, founded by his father Hussain Sajwani, they recognize that empowering individuals and promoting sustainable practices are crucial to building a better future.
“Our initiatives through the Hussain Sajwani-DAMAC Foundation are designed to address pressing social issues and enhance the well-being of the communities where we operate. Both professionally and personally, we feel fulfilled in these efforts, and we are aligned with the pillars of philanthropy we follow, including education, youth and women empowerment, and supporting people of determination. By focusing on these areas, we aim to support vulnerable communities within our society and contribute to their development and well-being,” Amira explained.
Despite having a prestigious background, there’s more to Amira than carrying a surname.
“While my family’s legacy has been a foundation for me, I have also been able to instil the many lessons I have learned from my own experiences in carving a place for myself, which I hope to impart to my daughters,” she concluded.
About Amira Sajwani
Amira Sajwani is an entrepreneur, a businesswoman, a daughter, a sister, a wife and a mother, Amira Sajwani is the epitome of today’s spirited young Emirati woman. She is the managing director of sales & sevelopment at DAMAC Properties as well as the founder & CEO of PRYPCO.
In her role with DAMAC Properties, the flagship arm of the Group, Amira oversees the 360-degree development of properties to ensure product values are maximised including but not limiting to design, construction, sales, marketing and analytics.
A key focus of Amira Sajwani’s responsibilities include overseeing the operations of DAMAC’s network of direct and independent sales agents both locally and internationally, as well as the development of agent programmes and initiatives which strengthens partnerships, and empowers agents with the tools they need to sell more effectively.
With PRYPCO, Amira has helped create an opportunity to empower the real-estate ecosystem with knowledge and information to make it simple for people to own and manage their real estate transactions in the UAE.
In 2023, Amira Sajwani launched “Amali” with her brother, Ali Sajwani. Amali creates concept luxury villas all with a high degree of customisability to suit your exacting needs. Meticulously curated by a team of hand-picked international designers and architects, each unit is a unique masterpiece, ensuring that no two residences are ever alike.
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