Hussain Sajwani

Sajwani and DAMAC have maintained a close partnership with the Trump Organization since 2011, particularly through Dubai property projects. The relationship prompted conflict-of-interest questions during Donald Trump's presidencies. It regained prominence in January 2025 when Sajwani announced a 20-billion-dollar US data centre investment project alongside Trump.

State of the evidence

Documented

In 2021, Hussain Sajwani launched an offer through Maple Invest to buy out DAMAC's minority shareholders and delist the developer. He stepped down from the board during the process to avoid a conflict of interest. Investors subsequently criticised having endured DAMAC's difficult years before being bought out just as the outlook and share price were recovering.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

After the Dubai property crash, several buyers sued DAMAC over construction delays. A Dubai court awarded approximately 710,000 dollars to a Canadian buyer, and DAMAC reached a confidential settlement with a German investor. The group's reputation was also affected by criticism of the quality of certain buildings, with Sajwani subsequently acknowledging that some buildings could have been better executed.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Direct responsibility

Person targeted by the proceedings

DAMAC

Role of the person profiled

Protagonist not prosecuted

Hussain Sajwani was sentenced in absentia in Egypt to five years' imprisonment in a case concerning acquisition of public land at Gamsha Bay for a price considered below market value. Following litigation and arbitration initiated by DAMAC, a settlement with the Egyptian state led in 2013 to suspension of enforcement of the judgment and resolution of the land disputes.

Attribution

Directly implicated