Meet the Power Players Behind the Region’s Mega Projects and Urban Transformation

• UAE-based leaders reign with 42 entries, followed by 21 in Saudi Arabia and 16 in Egypt.  
• DAMAC Properties’ Hussain Sajwani tops the ranking.
• Five billionaires appear on the list, collectively worth $19.3 billion.

Dubai, April 16, 2025: Forbes Middle East has revealed its 2025 ranking of the region’s 100 Most Impactful Real Estate Leaders, spotlighting the developers and decision-makers transforming the region’s skylines. The list was compiled based on each leader’s years of experience, the value of completed and ongoing projects, company financials including total assets and revenues where available, and the size of landbanks and number of units held.

The UAE dominates this year’s ranking with 42 leaders of companies headquartered in the country, followed by Saudi Arabia with 21 entries and Egypt with 16. Claiming the top spot is Hussain Sajwani, Founder and Chairman of DAMAC Properties. In February 2025, DAMAC announced the pricing and settlement of its $750 million senior unsecured three-and-a-half-year Reg S Sukuk—its largest to date. Sajwani’s net worth has doubled over the past year, rising from $5.1 billion in March 2024 to $10.2 billion as of March 2025.