Abu Dhabi’s real estate powerhouse Aldar Properties has made headlines yet again by announcing its acquisition of prime logistics and industrial assets at ALMARKAZ from Waha Capital in a landmark AED 530 million deal. This move is a strong signal of Aldar’s relentless ambition to fortify its logistics and industrial platform, further diversifying its income streams while fueling Abu Dhabi’s position as a thriving regional trade and logistics hub.
This acquisition is more than a real estate purchase; it represents a strategic chess move in Aldar’s carefully orchestrated expansion plan. By adding 182,000 square meters of net leasable logistics assets, Aldar has effectively grown its logistics footprint to more than 600,000 square meters — a milestone that reflects both scale and quality.
A Growing Appetite for Logistics Infrastructure
The UAE’s logistics and industrial real estate market has experienced a rapid evolution in recent years, propelled by the explosive rise of e-commerce, global trade shifts, and increasing regional consumption patterns. Abu Dhabi, with its strategic geographic positioning and modern infrastructure, stands at the forefront of this transformation.
Aldar’s latest acquisition of ALMARKAZ’s assets is a testament to this market momentum. The assets include 17 high-quality, freehold light industrial and logistics facilities located in Al Dhafra, just 35 kilometers from Abu Dhabi city and close to major transport corridors. The units are nearly fully occupied by a diverse tenant mix, including multinational corporations, regional operators, and government entities, showcasing the strong demand for modular and scalable logistics space in the region.
The ALMARKAZ Industrial Park, developed by Waha Land (a subsidiary of Waha Capital), has been a flagship development within Abu Dhabi’s logistics ecosystem. Built over a decade ago, the park spans an impressive six million square meters of land and offers tenants modern, high-specification facilities tailored for flexible industrial and logistics operations. Its success has been instrumental in attracting a diverse range of businesses, making it one of the emirate’s most sought-after logistics destinations.
Strategic Alignment and Expansion Goals
For Aldar, this deal is not merely about adding square meters to its portfolio. It reflects a deeper strategic intention to diversify its recurring income sources while enhancing the quality and resilience of its asset base. The acquisition also aligns with Aldar’s broader strategy to invest in high-growth segments, including logistics, education, and commercial assets, to capture long-term value.
Jassem Saleh Busaibe, Chief Executive Officer at Aldar Investment, described the acquisition as a natural extension of Aldar’s commitment to capturing opportunities within Abu Dhabi’s rapidly evolving industrial and logistics sectors. He highlighted that demand for premium, well-located logistics facilities has continued to outpace supply, driven by strong macroeconomic fundamentals, growing consumer markets, and rising regional trade flows.
The acquisition of ALMARKAZ assets also fits neatly into Aldar’s efforts to create a well-balanced, income-generating portfolio that can withstand market volatility and support stable returns for shareholders. By focusing on long-term leases and high occupancy rates, Aldar can build predictable cash flows while maintaining flexibility to respond to market changes.
The Evolution of ALMARKAZ: A Decade of Vision
Waha Capital, through its real estate arm Waha Land, has spent more than a decade transforming ALMARKAZ into a premium industrial destination. The park’s master plan emphasized modern design, environmental sustainability, and adaptability to tenant needs — factors that have become essential for logistics operators seeking to streamline supply chains and reduce operating costs.
Since its inception, ALMARKAZ has attracted a diverse range of tenants by offering modular unit sizes, ample storage capacity, and access to critical transport links. The park’s infrastructure supports light industrial operations, distribution centers, and value-added services, positioning it as a versatile solution for regional and international businesses looking to establish or expand their presence in the UAE.
The sale of a significant portion of ALMARKAZ assets to Aldar marks a pivotal moment for Waha Capital as well. While monetizing part of its real estate portfolio, Waha retains strategic landholdings within the park, enabling it to participate in future development opportunities and joint ventures. This approach underlines Waha’s long-term vision of creating sustainable value while unlocking capital for reinvestment in core growth areas.
Unlocking Future Opportunities
Aldar’s acquisition of ALMARKAZ assets is more than a standalone transaction; it opens doors for future collaborations and expansions. Both Aldar and Waha have expressed interest in exploring further development opportunities on adjacent land parcels within ALMARKAZ. Such partnerships could lead to additional state-of-the-art logistics facilities that cater to evolving market demands.
The deal also positions Aldar to capitalize on the UAE’s growing focus on logistics and supply chain resilience. As the country continues to diversify its economy away from hydrocarbons, logistics has emerged as a critical enabler for trade, manufacturing, and e-commerce growth. With new free trade agreements, enhanced port capacities, and advanced customs procedures, Abu Dhabi is poised to become a key logistics gateway for the wider Middle East, Africa, and South Asia regions.
By integrating ALMARKAZ’s high-quality assets into its portfolio, Aldar reinforces its ability to deliver modern, efficient, and scalable solutions to its tenants. This not only strengthens the group’s competitive edge but also enhances Abu Dhabi’s appeal as a logistics hub.
Impact on Tenants and Community
The acquisition is expected to create significant value for existing and prospective tenants. Aldar’s established reputation for operational excellence, customer-centric management, and investment in infrastructure upgrades will likely translate into improved facilities and services at ALMARKAZ.
Tenants can expect enhancements in energy efficiency, digital services, and sustainability initiatives — all of which align with Aldar’s broader ESG (environmental, social, and governance) commitments. The integration of smart technologies and green building practices could also reduce operational costs for tenants, further boosting the attractiveness of the ALMARKAZ industrial community.
Beyond direct business benefits, the transaction supports broader socio-economic objectives. Logistics and industrial developments contribute to job creation, support local supply chains, and facilitate trade activity, thereby playing a vital role in national economic growth.
A Broader Logistics Vision
Aldar has been steadily building its logistics footprint over the past few years. Before the ALMARKAZ acquisition, Aldar’s portfolio included the Abu Dhabi Business Hub and 7 Central in Dubai Investments Park, which together offered over 420,000 square meters of logistics and industrial space. The company is also advancing large-scale development projects in Dubai South and a 146,000 square meter logistics park in Jebel Ali through a joint venture with DP World.
These strategic investments highlight Aldar’s belief in the enduring value of logistics and industrial assets. As supply chain disruptions, geopolitical shifts, and changing consumer behaviors reshape global trade dynamics, logistics infrastructure has become a critical foundation for economic resilience.
By expanding its logistics and industrial platform, Aldar is well-positioned to offer integrated solutions that address the full spectrum of tenant requirements — from small-scale distribution centers to large-scale regional hubs. This holistic approach enhances Aldar’s ability to capture emerging demand and support the UAE’s ambition to become a leading global logistics center.
Confidence From the Market
The ALMARKAZ acquisition has been welcomed by investors and analysts as a strong indicator of Aldar’s strategic agility and operational focus. The deal’s immediate financial impact, including potential rental income growth and asset value appreciation, strengthens Aldar’s already robust balance sheet and supports its dividend-paying capacity.
Furthermore, the acquisition underscores Aldar’s proactive approach to identifying and executing high-quality investment opportunities. In a market where investors increasingly seek stability and long-term value creation, Aldar’s strategy resonates as both prudent and forward-looking.
Jassem Saleh Busaibe emphasized that the transaction will accelerate Aldar’s ability to deliver superior, consistent returns to stakeholders while supporting Abu Dhabi’s broader economic diversification objectives. By aligning corporate growth with national priorities, Aldar cements its role as a catalyst for sustainable economic development in the UAE.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Logistics in Abu Dhabi
With its dynamic economy, world-class infrastructure, and investor-friendly policies, Abu Dhabi is uniquely positioned to lead the next wave of regional logistics growth. The emirate’s strategic investments in ports, airports, and industrial zones have created a seamless multimodal transport network, facilitating rapid movement of goods across borders.
Aldar’s expanded logistics footprint, now bolstered by ALMARKAZ, is set to play a key role in this future. By offering scalable, high-quality facilities that cater to a wide range of industries — from e-commerce giants to advanced manufacturing and cold storage — Aldar can meet the needs of tenants seeking operational efficiency and strategic market access.
The anticipated growth of sectors such as renewable energy, electric vehicles, pharmaceuticals, and advanced manufacturing further highlights the need for agile and specialized logistics solutions. Aldar’s proactive expansion ensures it remains at the forefront of these emerging trends, ready to capture value and support the region’s evolving economic landscape.
Conclusion: A Transformational Move
Aldar’s AED 530 million acquisition of ALMARKAZ assets is far more than a property deal — it is a bold, strategic step forward that amplifies Aldar’s influence in the regional logistics sector. The transaction delivers immediate scale, high-quality income, and long-term growth potential, while reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s standing as a global logistics powerhouse.
With an eye on the future, Aldar continues to blend visionary leadership with disciplined execution, creating a compelling growth story that resonates across markets. The successful integration of ALMARKAZ assets will further demonstrate Aldar’s capabilities as an operator, developer, and long-term partner for tenants and investors alike.
As the dust settles on this landmark deal, one thing is clear: Aldar’s journey in logistics is just beginning, and the possibilities are as expansive as the desert horizon.
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