ORA Developers, led by Naguib Sawiris, begins Al-Wardi City project in Iraq

Key Points

• Ora Developers, led by billionaire Naguib Sawiris, broke ground on Al-Wardi City, a 120,000-home eco-development near Baghdad.
• Al-Wardi City will feature smart technologies, parks, schools, hospitals, and modern amenities to ease Baghdad’s housing pressure.
• Ora Developers manages $45 billion in projects across seven countries, including new developments in Iraq and the UAE.

ORA Developers, led by Egyptian billionaire Naguib Sawiris, has officially broken ground on the Al-Wardi City project, a massive new development near Iraq’s capital, Baghdad. Awarded by the Iraqi Ministry of Construction, Housing, and Public Municipalities, the project will feature 120,000 housing units, as well as green spaces, modern amenities, and smart city technologies focused on sustainability and environmental care.

The groundbreaking ceremony marked a major step forward, with construction now underway on what is set to become a vibrant new residential hub. Along with thousands of homes, Al-Wardi City will offer parks, schools, universities, hospitals, shops, and recreational facilities, creating a fully integrated community.

Iraq breaks ground on eco-housing project

Speaking at the launch, Iraqi Minister of Construction, Housing, and Public Municipalities Bangen Rekani emphasized that the project is built to meet the demands of modern life. “This is one of the largest housing projects in Iraq,” Rekani said. “It’s designed with energy sustainability, environmental planning, and modern insulation systems to provide a better quality of life.”

During the signing ceremony, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani said the government’s strategy to tackle the country’s housing shortage involves building entire cities equipped with proper infrastructure and a range of housing options to accommodate people across different income levels. “We want to ease the pressure on Baghdad’s population and offer families better living conditions,” he said.

Sawiris also spoke about the partnership, calling it a meaningful milestone. He said that Ora’s collaboration with Iraq on the Al-Wardi City project is a strong example of how smart planning can meet the urgent needs of growing populations while preserving the environment for future generations.

Ora Developers launches Iraq, UAE projects

Founded in 2016, Ora Developers has quickly built a global presence, managing over $4 billion in assets and overseeing a development portfolio worth more than $45 billion across Egypt, Cyprus, Pakistan, the UAE, and Iraq.

Under the leadership of Naguib Sawiris, who ranks among Bloomberg’s top 500 wealthiest individuals with an estimated net worth of $7.96 billion, the company has become known for its high-end, mixed-use developments across the Middle East and North Africa. Ora now controls more than 76 million square meters of land and is managing 17 projects in seven countries.

The Al-Wardi City project in Iraq follows closely on the heels of Ora’s launch of Bayn, a new coastal city development in Ghantoot, situated between Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Covering 4.8 million square meters, Bayn blends vibrant city living with peaceful waterfront experiences. With 1.2 kilometers of Arabian Gulf beachfront and over seven kilometers of residential waterfront, the project sets a new benchmark for master-planned communities in the UAE.