logo
episode-header-image
Jul 14
1h 4m

Special: Doing it differently | Marakez ...

The Enterprise Company
About this episode

For the last few decades, Sahel has cemented its place as a go-to summer destination for many. Clear waters. Crisp weather. Buzzing nightlife. 

Last year, the Ras El-Hekma deal swung the spotlight on the potential of Sahel as a regional investment hub. But what exactly are we building up there?  

In this special episode of Making It, we speak to Marakez Executive Vice Chairman Dasha Badrawi. 

Dasha stumbled onto the real estate industry in the mid-2000s, and he has been at its forefront ever since. Having been brought up in the UK, his ties to Egypt remained unwavering, and so did his penchant for creation. For the last decade, he has been at the helm of Marakez. Ushering in iconic projects like Mall of Arabia and District 5, Dasha has pushed forward a philosophy that centers innovation, team effort and homegrown partnerships.

In conversation with Patrick, Dasha opens up about his early years as a lawyer and entrepreneur, the challenges posed by Egypt’s unique real estate financing model, the way buyers should assess developers, and how favoring recurring revenue through retail and commercial properties was key to Marakez’s success. They speak at length about the changes taking place along Egypt's North Coast, the ethos and architecture of Marakez’s Ramla, and what his team has in store this summer. 

This episode was produced as a part of our four-part special Destination Sahel. To read the full series, visit: https://enterprise.news/destination-sahel/en

In case you missed it, check out these two episodes from our archive:

How Gourmet Egypt survived the float of the EGP https://omny.fm/shows/making-it/back-from-the-brink-how-gourmet-egypt-survived-the

How Karim Awad has grown EFG Hermes from a regional giant into a global player
https://omny.fm/shows/making-it/the-team-player-how-karim-awad-has-grown-efg-herme

Learn more about how you can advertise with EnterpriseAM by emailing Moustafa Taalab mtaalab@enterprisemea.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Up next
Mar 2025
Special: Building an innovative bank — and how to lead it — with Mashreq Group CEO Ahmed Abdelaal
After more than five years at Mashreq’s helm, Group CEO Ahmed Abdelaal is a well-known face in the regional banking industry and beyond. Ahmed has led the bank through an ambitious expansion strategy that has seen it recently open Mashreq Oman, in addition to Mashreq Neo in Egypt ... Show More
42m 52s
Dec 2020
How to fundraise with Actis Partner Hossam Abou Moussa
In 20 years of working in private equity, Hossam Abou Moussa has seen the makings of great businesses across industries in Egypt and other emerging markets. At Actis, he is a partner in the private equity business, as well as chief operating officer of the unit. Actis is one of t ... Show More
40m 4s
Nov 2020
Growing a diagnostics powerhouse with Integrated Diagnostics Holding CEO Hend El Sherbini
Hend El Sherbini took over her mother’s testing facility MK Lab in Egypt and rebranded it to Al Mokhtabar in 2004, with the intention of providing affordable and quality testing beyond Cairo.  16 years later, El Sherbini sits atop Integrated Diagnostics Holding, a merger of Al Mo ... Show More
42m 59s
Recommended Episodes
May 2024
Expert Tips You Can't Miss: Game-Changing Advice from Industry Leaders | Dr.Anand & Anthony Joseph
Welcome to AJ PODCAST , the go-to platform for insightful discussions on global investment trends and opportunities. In this episode, we're diving into the heart of Dubai's evolving market landscape with industry experts Anthony Joseph and Dr. Anand.🎰 New Casino in UAE: We kick ... Show More
42m 5s
Oct 2024
E82: Charlie Wright: hard work, failure, mindset & the serendipity behind Humantra’s Huda Beauty investment
I sat down with Charlie Wright, Founder & CEO of Humantra, the fastest-growing electrolytes brand in the UAE, now eyeing global expansion after a successful UK launch. Charlie’s journey to Dubai began straight out of college, where a sales job quickly showed him that he craved mo ... Show More
1h 24m
Nov 2024
How NHC is driving the Saudi real estate success story
Saudi Arabia is witnessing a housing boom that is transforming the country’s real estate sector, as home ownership rises and international investors join one of the world’s most dynamic markets. Leading this transformation, developer NHC is meeting demand for lifestyle communitie ... Show More
14m 22s
Oct 2024
E82: Charlie Wright: hard work, failure, mindset & the serendipity behind Humantra’s Huda Beauty investment
I sat down with Charlie Wright, Founder & CEO of Humantra, the fastest-growing electrolytes brand in the UAE, now eyeing global expansion after a successful UK launch. Charlie’s journey to Dubai began straight out of college, where a sales job quickly showed him that he craved mo ... Show More
1h 23m
May 2025
104. Navigating the UAE: How do you succeed in the UAE financial sector?
We’re delighted to announce the first of three podcast specials which focuses on one of the most dynamic regions in global finance - the UAE.In the first of these episodes, we’re joined by Clare Curtis, Head of ACA Effecta, and a true expert on the UAE’s regulatory and compliance ... Show More
34m 7s
Aug 28
Business Daily meets: Allan Kilavuka
From taking on the role of Kenya Airways' CEO in the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic, to leading the company to profitability after years of financial turbulence, we hear the difficult decisions Allan Kilavuka has made during his time at the helm of one of Africa’s largest airlines ... Show More
17m 28s
Aug 29
Ep 39. with Noor Sweid Conviction Capital: Lessons in grit, growth and globalisation
Send us a textIn this scintillating episode of Money Majlis, host Suvo Sarkar sits down with Noor Sweid, the trailblazing founder and Managing Partner of Global Ventures. Known as one of the most influential voices in Middle Eastern venture capital, Noor brings a wealth of experi ... Show More
48m 28s
Aug 9
Jay Shetty Launches Talent Agency, Reshaping Creator Economy
Jay Shetty BioSnap a weekly updated Biography. Jay Shetty just made headlines for launching a new talent agency, House of 1212, alongside Rula Zaabri, Brittany Louks, and Blaire Zierke. Positioning itself as a full-service agency built on the foundation of purpose, House of 1212 ... Show More
3m 6s
Apr 2025
Anas Bukhash on Harnessing the Dubai’s Potential as a Global Crossroads
Over the last few decades, Dubai has rapidly transformed from a humble trading port into a global hub for business, tourism, and innovation. With favourable economic policies, strategic location, and an ambitious young workforce, Dubai has become a vibrant destination at the inte ... Show More
24m 39s
Apr 2025
Tory Burch and Pierre-Yves Roussel on Building a Global Brand with Local Relevance
Right from the outset, Tory Burch  had a vision: to create a business where profit and purpose could go hand in hand. She was quick to take her brand global, first to Tokyo in 2009, and then on to Rome, Paris, Shanghai and beyond.  Today, Tory Burch operates more than 350 stores ... Show More
32m 8s