September 9, 2025 | Dubai, UAE (The Arabian Wall Street) — Eng. Waleed Mohammad Al Zaabi, founder and chairman of Tiger Holding, has secured a place on the Forbes Real Time Billionaires List 2025, marking the latest milestone in a five-decade journey from civil engineer to real estate titan.
Al Zaabi’s trajectory from acquiring a modest contracting firm in the mid-1970s to building one of the UAE’s most influential development groups reflects both grit and foresight. Today, Tiger Holding boasts a valuation of more than $5 billion, over 270 projects, and more than 25,000 rental flats, cementing its role as a cornerstone of the country’s real estate sector.
Skyline-defining projects
Among Tiger’s achievements is the Tiger Sky Tower, launched in 2024 and recognized as the tallest residential tower in the world, featuring the highest rainforest and the highest Royal Penthouse ever constructed. The group’s portfolio extends across Dubai, with projects such as Cloud Tower JVT, NEVA Residences JVC, Blue Waves Tower, and Nobles Tower in Business Bay, as well as more than a dozen towers in Sharjah.
Looking forward, Tiger’s pipeline includes ambitious developments such as IMG Tower in Dubai, Oval Tower in Midan, and Seagull Tower in Sharjah, each designed to elevate urban living and deliver strong investor returns.
Diversification and resilience
Between 2006 and 2014, Al Zaabi led Tiger Holding’s diversification beyond real estate, expanding into hospitality, healthcare, education, contracting, agriculture, and manufacturing. Today, the group encompasses more than 40 companies operating across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria, and Turkey. This diversification strategy has fortified Tiger’s resilience and strengthened its international profile.
Philosophy and legacy
Al Zaabi credits his success not only to innovation but to collective effort: “Joining Forbes’ list is a reflection of a collective journey at Tiger Group, and an acknowledgement of the efforts our team has dedicated over the decades,” he remarked. His leadership philosophy emphasizes collaboration, legacy-building, and shaping future cities in the UAE and beyond.
From humble beginnings to global recognition, Waleed Mohammad Al Zaabi’s rise mirrors the transformation of Dubai itself—an evolution defined by vision, determination, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.
