Founder of Emaar Properties: Mohamed Alabbar
First, it’s important to know who founded Emaar. The company was started in 1997 by Mohamed Ali Alabbar, a well-known Emirati businessman. While he remains a prominent figure associated with Emaar, he does not have full ownership: the company is publicly traded.
Major Shareholders and Ownership Structure of Emaar Properties
When it comes to Emaar Properties’ ownership structure, several key players are involved:
- The Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD), which is Dubai’s sovereign wealth fund, owns around 22.27% of Emaar.
- The Government of Dubai (“Emirate of Dubai”) also has a stake, owning roughly 7.45%.
- On top of these, a large portion of Emaar’s shares is held by the general public, retail investors own about 53% of the company.
Impact: This mix shows that Emaar is neither fully government-owned nor entirely private, it’s a publicly listed company with a diverse ownership base.
Foreign Ownership
Emaar Properties also allows 100% foreign ownership of its shares. This change makes it very accessible for investors from outside the UAE to buy shares and become part of Emaar’s ownership.
Why This Ownership Structure Matters
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Because ICD (a government entity) is a major shareholder, Emaar benefits from strong backing and stability.
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With over half the company owned by retail investors, Emaar’s decisions can be influenced by a large group of ordinary people who invest in the company.
- Foreign ownership being allowed means that Emaar can tap into global capital, helping it grow more easily across markets.
In Short:
So, who is the real owner of Emaar?
- It’s not just one single person, while Mohamed Alabbar founded the company, he is not the only owner.
- The Investment Corporation of Dubai is the largest single shareholder.
- The public and retail investors own a substantial part.
- And yes, foreign investors can also own Emaar shares because of the 100% foreign ownership rule.
This diverse ownership structure gives Emaar a strong foundation: part government-backed, part publicly held, and open to global investors which helps it remain one of Dubai’s most powerful and stable real estate developers.
