February 23, 2026
Methodology About Newsletter
WE THE UAE 2031
The Vanderbilt Terminal for the UAE's National Transformation
INDEPENDENT GLOBAL INTELLIGENCE FOR THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
UAE GDP: AED 2.03T ▲ 5.7% | Non-Oil GDP Share: 84.3% ▼ -5.2pp | FDI Inflows: $45.6B ▲ 48.7% | GDP Growth: 4.0% ▲ -0.3pp vs 2023 | Inflation: 1.7% ▼ +0.0pp vs 2023 | Female Participation: 55.1% ▲ +0.6pp vs 2023 | Population: 11.0M ▲ 4.8% | Emiratisation Rate: 12.5% ▲ 2.1pp | Global Competitiveness: #7 ▲ 3 places | Clean Energy Capacity: 7.2 GW ▲ 18.4% | ADX Index: 9,842 ▲ 4.7% | DFM Index: 4,621 ▲ 6.2% | UAE GDP: AED 2.03T ▲ 5.7% | Non-Oil GDP Share: 84.3% ▼ -5.2pp | FDI Inflows: $45.6B ▲ 48.7% | GDP Growth: 4.0% ▲ -0.3pp vs 2023 | Inflation: 1.7% ▼ +0.0pp vs 2023 | Female Participation: 55.1% ▲ +0.6pp vs 2023 | Population: 11.0M ▲ 4.8% | Emiratisation Rate: 12.5% ▲ 2.1pp | Global Competitiveness: #7 ▲ 3 places | Clean Energy Capacity: 7.2 GW ▲ 18.4% | ADX Index: 9,842 ▲ 4.7% | DFM Index: 4,621 ▲ 6.2% |

Definition

DAMAC Properties is a publicly listed luxury real estate development company headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Founded in 2002 by Hussain Sajwani, DAMAC has delivered approximately 43,000 residential, hospitality, and commercial units across the Middle East, with a development portfolio valued in the tens of billions of dirhams. The company is distinguished by its pioneering branded-residence model, partnering with global luxury houses including Versace, Fendi Casa, Roberto Cavalli, de Grisogono, and Paramount Hotels and Resorts to deliver designer-finished apartments, villas, and hotel residences. DAMAC was listed on the Dubai Financial Market in 2013, taken private by Sajwani in 2022, and relisted in subsequent years as market conditions evolved.

UAE Context

DAMAC Properties operates as one of the most prominent private-sector developers shaping Dubai’s luxury real estate landscape alongside Emaar, Nakheel, and Meraas. The company’s flagship master communities include DAMAC Hills (a 42-million-square-foot golf community featuring the Trump International Golf Club Dubai), DAMAC Hills 2 (an affordable suburban alternative marketed to young families), and DAMAC Lagoons (a Mediterranean-inspired waterfront community in Dubailand). DAMAC’s branded-residence strategy attracts high-net-worth international buyers seeking turnkey luxury, contributing directly to foreign direct investment inflows and freehold property demand. The company also maintains development operations in Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the Maldives. DAMAC’s hospitality arm manages luxury hotel properties and serviced residences under the DAMAC Maison brand, adding recurring revenue streams beyond one-time property sales.

Key Data

  • Headquarters: Dubai, UAE
  • Founded: 2002
  • Founder and Chairman: Hussain Sajwani
  • Delivered units: Approximately 43,000 across the Middle East
  • Master communities: DAMAC Hills, DAMAC Hills 2, DAMAC Lagoons, DAMAC Islands
  • Luxury brand partners: Versace, Fendi Casa, Roberto Cavalli, de Grisogono, Paramount
  • International presence: UAE, Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom, Canada, Maldives, Oman, Jordan, Lebanon
  • Hospitality brand: DAMAC Maison Hotels & Resorts

Significance for Vision 2031

DAMAC Properties contributes to Vision 2031 objectives through large-scale residential development that expands Dubai’s housing stock for projected population growth, luxury branded residences that attract international capital and high-net-worth residents, and hospitality assets that support tourism revenue targets under the D33 Agenda. The company’s expansion into suburban affordable communities like DAMAC Hills 2 addresses the broader housing demand created by visa liberalisation and workforce growth policies. DAMAC’s international operations also extend the Dubai real estate brand globally, reinforcing the emirate’s reputation as a premier property investment destination and supporting the target of positioning Dubai among the top three most-visited cities worldwide by 2033.

  • Emaar Properties — Dubai’s largest listed developer and creator of Burj Khalifa
  • Nakheel — Developer of Palm Jumeirah and waterfront communities
  • PropTech — Technology transforming real estate development and sales
  • D33 Agenda — Dubai’s economic strategy supported by real estate investment