Hussain Sajwani sits at the top of Dubai’s luxury real estate world. The 72-year-old businessman built a $10.2 billion fortune through his company DAMAC Properties. Now he’s taking his biggest gamble yet with a massive investment in American data centers.
Forbes ranks Sajwani as one of the world’s richest Arabs. His wealth doubled from $5.1 billion in 2024 to over $10 billion in 2025. This jump came as Dubai’s property market boomed and his business empire expanded beyond real estate.
The Builder of Luxury Dubai
Sajwani founded DAMAC Properties in 2002. The company became famous for building some of Dubai’s most expensive homes and hotels. DAMAC developed luxury apartments with brands like Versace, Fendi, and Roberto Cavalli. The company also built golf courses designed by Tiger Woods.
The businessman started with a simple idea. He bought land in Dubai during the 1990s when the city was just beginning to grow. At that time, Dubai was changing from a small trading port into a major business center. Sajwani saw the potential and acted fast.
His marketing became legendary in Dubai. DAMAC sometimes gave away free Lamborghinis to people who bought apartments. This bold style helped the company sell luxury homes to wealthy buyers from around the world.
From Food Service to Real Estate Empire
Sajwani’s path to billions started far from luxury real estate. Born in 1952, he grew up in a family of traders. His father sold watches and Parker pens at local markets.
After studying industrial engineering at the University of Washington, Sajwani returned to the Middle East. He started working in finance at Abu Dhabi Gas Industries in 1981. Two years later, he began a catering business that served the U.S. military and construction companies. This venture still operates today as Global Logistics Services.
The real estate boom began when Dubai changed its laws in 2001. For the first time, foreigners could own property in the emirate. Sajwani quickly shifted his focus from catering to building homes. His first residential project sold out in less than six months.
The Trump Connection
Sajwani has maintained a close friendship with Donald Trump for over a decade. In 2013, DAMAC teamed up with The Trump Organization to build two Trump-branded golf courses in Dubai. The partnership put Trump’s name on luxury developments in the heart of the Middle East.
When Trump became president in 2017, he famously turned down a $2 billion real estate deal from Sajwani to avoid conflicts of interest. But their business relationship remained strong. Sajwani attended Trump’s inauguration and New Year’s Eve parties at Mar-a-Lago.
The $20 Billion Data Center Deal
In January 2025, Sajwani announced his biggest U.S. investment yet. Standing next to Trump at Mar-a-Lago, he pledged at least $20 billion to build data centers across America. The announcement came just days before Trump’s return to the White House.
“We’ve been waiting four years to increase our investment in the U.S. to very large amounts of money,” Sajwani said at the press conference.
The first phase will target eight states: Texas, Arizona, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, and Indiana. Trump suggested the investment could double to $40 billion or more.
This shows how Sajwani is betting on artificial intelligence and cloud computing. Data centers power everything from social media to AI chatbots. As these technologies grow, companies need more places to store and process information.
Beyond Real Estate
Sajwani expanded his empire beyond property development. In 2019, his investment firm bought the Italian fashion brand Roberto Cavalli. Two years later, he acquired the Swiss luxury jeweler De Grisogono.
His company DAMAC Group now operates in multiple industries. The business has over 2,000 employees and generates more than $1.6 billion in revenue each year. Sajwani has delivered over 25,000 homes to customers across the Middle East and beyond.
In 2022, he started Edgnex, a company focused on building data centers. This venture began with a $1 billion investment to meet growing demand for digital infrastructure. The company planned to build facilities from Ireland to Tokyo.
Family Business
Sajwani runs his empire with help from his children. His son Ali graduated from Northeastern University and serves as managing director of operations at DAMAC Group. His daughter Amira studied at University College London and the London School of Economics. She now manages sales and development for the company.
The family approach keeps the business tightly controlled. Sajwani owns DAMAC Properties entirely through his private holdings. In 2022, he took the company private after buying out public shareholders. This move gave him complete control over the business direction.
Awards and Recognition
The business world has recognized Sajwani’s achievements with numerous awards. He won Property CEO of the Year in 2017 and received the Real Estate Legend award in 2018. Construction Week ranked him among the most powerful people in Middle Eastern real estate.
In 2023, Gulf Business gave him a Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to the region’s economy. These honors reflect his role in transforming Dubai’s skyline and business landscape.
Looking Forward
Sajwani’s American investment represents a major shift in strategy. For decades, he focused on building luxury homes in Dubai and other Middle Eastern cities. Now he’s betting big on the technology infrastructure that powers modern life.
The data center business is booming as companies need more computing power for artificial intelligence and cloud services. By investing $20 billion in American facilities, Sajwani is positioning himself at the center of this digital revolution.
His relationship with Trump could help smooth the way for rapid expansion. The incoming president promised to offer expedited permits for foreign investors who commit over $1 billion to U.S. projects.
At 72, Sajwani shows no signs of slowing down. His wealth doubled in just one year, and his latest venture could generate even bigger returns. The man who built Dubai’s luxury real estate market is now helping build America’s digital future.
