UAE-based property stalwart Binghatti Holding has entered a bold new chapter with the launch of Binghatti Capital, a DIFC‑based asset management firm targeting $1 billion in Shariah‑compliant private credit and real estate strategies. Announced on June 16, Chairman Ahmed Binghatti revealed their intent to serve institutional investors, high‑net‑worth individuals, and family offices via platforms like Bloomberg’s Horizons Middle East & Africa .
Why This Matters
Riding the Private Credit Wave
Private credit is emerging as a global powerhouse—now a $2–3 trillion asset class—driven by regulatory tightening post‑2008 and declining bank lending . The UAE, especially through its free zones like DIFC, is becoming fertile ground for direct lending. A&O Shearman highlights that the region’s legal and economic structures are propelling private credit growth. By joining this momentum, positions itself at the forefront of a lucrative, high‑growth sector.
Strategic positioning in DIFC
DIFC, with its regulatory sophistication and international investor base, continues to attract top asset managers. their authorization under DFSA strengthens Dubai’s reputation as a regional asset management hub—now home to over 400 wealth firms.
What Binghatti Capital Brings
Dual-Pronged Strategy
- Real Estate Investments: Focused on both off‑plan residential acquisitions and full development cycles, leveraging their deep project pipeline—recently including a Dh25 billion land deal in Nad Al Sheba .
- Private Credit Solutions: Targeting supply‑chain finance for construction firms, property managers, and suppliers, tapping into a real‑economy niche often underserved by traditional banks.
Tailored Mandates
Alongside fund structures, Binghatti Capital will offer discretionary and non‑discretionary portfolios for professional clients, ensuring flexibility to meet diverse investment goals.
Humanizing the Vision
Chairman Ahmed Binghatti shared on Horizons Middle East & Africa that the new unit is strategically designed to deepen their footprint in alternative capital, spot opportunities reserved for large institutions, and deliver sustainable growth .
Executive Director Katranalda Binghatti emphasized that Binghatti Capital is part of a long‑term vision to expand into income‑generating investments, reinforcing both group growth and Dubai’s global investment appeal.
Timing is Ideal
- Rising private market allocations: Middle Eastern wealth managers are increasingly eyeing private credit and real estate amid broader market uncertainty. Dubai’s Emirates NBD recently struck a private credit platform with BlackRock .
- Real estate momentum: Dubai property is thriving—with transaction volumes climbing 36% in 2024. Demand remains strong, especially in branded, off‑plan residential segments .
- Regulatory tailwinds: The continued growth of DIFC and DFSA, coupled with favorable legal frameworks, makes it easier for firms like Capital to operate efficiently and credibly .
What’s Next—and Why You Should Care
For Investors
- Institutional & Family Office Access: Their track record and local expertise, combined with a Shariah‑compliant structure, make it attractive to regional and global players.
- Diversified Shariah Assets: Blending real estate and private credit offers a balanced, income‑focused portfolio.
For the UAE & Dubai Financial Ecosystem
- Broadening Alternative Finance: Binghatti Capital bolsters the UAE’s evolving asset management ecosystem by offering fresh capital sources to the real economy—especially the real estate sector.
- Global Profile Boost: As Dubai’s DIFC grows in influence, home‑grown asset managers with global aspirations like Binghatti send a strong message to investors worldwide.
Key Takeaways
- $1 billion target is bold but achievable, given Binghatti’s existing pipeline and investor connections.
- Shariah compliance broadens appeal across Islamic and conventional investors alike.
- DIFC authorization signals strong regulatory confidence in Binghatti Capital’s capabilities.
- The move aligns with global and regional trends towards private markets and alternative assets.
- This launch marks a milestone expansion in Binghatti Holding’s evolution—from developer to diversified financial powerhouse.
Final Word
Binghatti Capital’s $1 billion ambition is more than numbers—it’s a strategic evolution. By embracing Shariah‑compliant private credit and real estate, and anchoring the firm in DIFC, Binghatti is stepping into a broader role in the region’s financial landscape. For institutional investors and wealth managers, this signals a powerful invitation: join a home‑grown team combining local expertise, regulatory trust, and a forward‑looking investment philosophy.
Dubai—and indeed, the Middle East—will be watching closely.
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