Major UAE developers Aldar and Arada announced a strategic partnership on September 30, 2026, comprising development projects in Abu Dhabi valued at roughly AED 15 billion. The alliance marks Arada’s first operational presence in Abu Dhabi, bringing together Aldar’s landbank and platform in the capital with Arada’s community development framework.

Under the initial masterplan joint venture, both firms will co-develop a mixed-use community across up to 1.5 million square metres of land at Seih Sdeirah, located on the border between Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Envisaged as a villa and townhouse neighbourhood supported by retail and recreational spaces, Arada will oversee development and construction management, while sales and branding will be executed jointly. Alongside this project, Arada bought three prime residential plots from Aldar on Yas Island. These sites, which include two canal-facing plots, cover a total land area exceeding 27,500 square metres and permit a gross floor area of nearly 130,000 square metres for premium residential units.

The official signing took place in the presence of HRH Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal Al Saud, Executive Vice Chairman of Arada, and Talal Al Dhiyebi, Group Chief Executive Officer of Aldar. The contracts were signed by Jonathan Emery, Chief Executive Officer of Aldar Development, and Ahmed Alkhoshaibi, Group Chief Executive Officer of Arada.

The initial transactions represent the first phase of a broader partnership, with both companies intending to seek further opportunities across different sectors and geographies within the UAE.

Talal Al Dhiyebi, Group Chief Executive Officer of Aldar, said: “This partnership brings together two leading UAE developers with complementary capabilities and a shared ambition to create high-quality destinations. The opportunities on Yas Island and at Seih Sdeirah establish a strong foundation for our collaboration with Arada, and we see significant potential to build on the partnership across sectors and geographies in the UAE.”

Ahmed Alkhoshaibi, Group Chief Executive Officer of Arada, said: “This partnership with Aldar marks a significant moment in Arada’s journey in the UAE. Aldar’s scale, vision and established platform in Abu Dhabi create exactly the right foundation for the kind of communities we intend to build here, and the opportunities ahead of us, across both Abu Dhabi and elsewhere across the UAE, are considerable. This is the beginning of what we intend to be a long and productive collaboration, and we look forward to what we will build together.”