Just two years after entering the UAE, ORA Developers has made significant strides in achieving its goal of becoming the developer-of-choice in a highly competitive real estate market.
This comes as no surprise, as the company founded by Egyptian businessman Engineer Naguib Sawiris has had years of success in the international market and is now accelerating its ambitious growth plans in the Emirates with the roll out of strategic initiatives.
First, it has established its UAE headquarters at Dubai’s prestigious One Central development, signaling not just an expansion but a commitment to becoming a transformative force in the country’s property market.
The timing could hardly be more strategic. As the UAE’s real estate sector surges toward a projected value of $1.08 trillion by 2030, up from $704.25 billion in 2024, according to a Straits Research report, ORA’s expansion is aligned with the continued growth of one of the world’s most dynamic property markets.
Read: What makes Egypt a popular real estate market for GCC investors
“In a fast-evolving real estate landscape, establishing our regional headquarters is a crucial step that aligns with the UAE’s long-term vision for urban development,” said Sawiris, chairman and CEO of ORA Developers. “This hub strengthens our ability to deliver innovative, future-ready communities while integrating global best practices with the UAE’s dynamic market needs.”
Ambitious plans
Since its foray into the UAE market in 2023, the company has methodically assembled the components for substantial growth: acquiring prime land, securing regulatory approvals, and assembling a team of nearly 100 professionals — a number the company plans to triple by the close of 2025.
The firm’s global footprint is already substantial. ORA boasts a land bank exceeding 76 million square meters, with 17 projects spread across seven countries and an estimated total sales value surpassing $45 billion. This global experience provides a foundation for the company’s UAE ambitions, where it aims to apply lessons learned in markets as diverse as Egypt, Cyprus, Pakistan, and Iraq.
Perhaps most eye-catching among ORA’s upcoming UAE projects is a 4.8 million square meter master-planned community in Ghantoot. Strategically positioned between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, this development will feature 1.2 kilometers of Arabian Gulf beachfront, making it a potential landmark in the region’s already impressive property landscape.
The company is also expanding its customer-facing presence, with plans to establish experience centers in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai to serve as dedicated touchpoints for clients and investors.
Built for scale
ORA’s UAE expansion is being steered by a leadership team whose experience spans the full spectrum of property development and management. The C-suite lineup reveals the company’s priorities as it seeks to establish itself in one of the world’s most competitive and sophisticated real estate markets.
Khaled Morgan, chief development officer, has been tasked with ensuring ORA delivers unique and innovative urban experiences that differentiate the company in a market known for architectural statement projects.
The rapid growth of ORA’s UAE team — from zero to nearly 100 employees in less than two years – falls under the purview of Ahmed Samir, chief human resources officer, who is orchestrating the talent acquisition needed to support the company’s ambitious scaling plans.
Tamer Fikry, as chief sales officer, is enhancing investor engagement strategies in a market where international investment continues to flow despite global economic headwinds. Meanwhile, Mohamed Sheta, chief financial officer, leads the financial strategy underpinning ORA’s billion-dollar developments.
The company’s brand and market positioning are being shaped by two key executives: Lana Sawiris, chief brand officer; and Rasha Georgy, chief marketing officer. Their work is crucial as ORA seeks to establish a distinctive identity in a market crowded with luxury developers.
Rounding out the leadership team, Amr Abdelmoneim serves as chief technical officer, overseeing engineering and execution while maintaining the high standards necessary to compete in the UAE’s premium real estate segment.
Strategic partnerships
Beyond its own developments, ORA has demonstrated strategic acumen through carefully chosen partnerships. The company is a strategic investor in Discovery Dunes, an ultra-luxury community being developed by Discovery Land Company around a championship golf course designed by Tom Fazio.
This investment reflects ORA’s conviction in both the sector and the UAE market specifically, while also positioning the company within the premium segment of the property ecosystem.
“By prioritizing nature, connectivity, and design, we are committed to shaping sustainable, well-balanced developments,” explained Sawiris. “Our leadership team’s extensive experience and long-standing commitment to ORA Developers have been instrumental in building our diverse portfolio, driving growth, and ensuring the successful execution of transformative projects.”
Growth trajectory
ORA’s expansion comes at a time when the UAE real estate market shows resilience and growth potential despite global economic challenges. Industry analysts point to continued population growth, government initiatives to attract investment, and the country’s status as a safe haven in a turbulent region as factors driving the market’s projected compound annual growth rate of 7.3 percent through 2030.
The company’s focus on creating “forward-thinking, balanced communities that seamlessly integrate nature, connectivity, and modern infrastructure” aligns with evolving buyer preferences in the post-pandemic era, where quality of life considerations have gained prominence in property purchase decisions.
With assets totaling more than $4 billion and a global portfolio valued at over $45 billion, ORA brings substantial financial resources to its UAE ambitions. The company’s track record of developing signature projects like Ayia Napa Marina in Cyprus and Silversands in Grenada suggests an approach that blends luxury with sensitivity to local context — an important consideration in a market where cultural resonance can be as important as architectural distinction.
As the UAE continues its economic diversification beyond oil, the real estate sector remains a cornerstone of its growth strategy. For ORA Developers, the establishment of its UAE headquarters represents not just a new chapter in its own corporate story, but a vote of confidence in the enduring appeal of one of the world’s most remarkable property markets.
In a landscape defined by superlatives — tallest, largest, most luxurious — ORA’s challenge will be to carve out a distinctive identity while delivering the returns expected by both investors and its ambitious leadership.
But with its new headquarters now established and a clear growth strategy in place, ORA Developers is two massive steps ahead in its journey to success in the UAE and beyond.
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