As nations in the Gulf region intensify their focus on smart city initiatives and environmental sustainability, AJi Group has been independently cultivating a prominent role in several key infrastructure developments throughout the area. From industrial areas in Saudi Arabia to sustainable urban projects in Oman, the company integrates digital technologies with eco-friendly practices to forge cities that are resilient to climate change and ready for the future.
Engineer Hamzeh Awwad, the CEO of AJi Group, guides the company through accelerated growth, technological advancement, and regional outreach. In this interview, he shares insights into how AJi Group is redefining infrastructure design for modern cities, details on the firm’s ascension in global rankings, and thoughts on the future intersection of engineering and design in a region striving for both climate responsibility and economic progress.
How is AJi Group developing infrastructure that aligns with net-zero goals and promotes broader economic diversification
Our infrastructure strategy revolves around an all-encompassing focus on sustainability and digital innovation. Through our six dedicated sectors, we are creating smart city solutions that emphasize environmental responsibility.
This commitment also mirrors our organizational ethos. In recent years, we have ramped up our ESG initiatives, delivering projects that establish new standards for sustainable urban development while integrating environmental management systems in our operations.
Last year, we celebrated a notable achievement, with a 16 percent decline in our GHG emissions (Scope 1 & 2) compared to 2022. We are building on this momentum with our newly initiated Yellow Lab, a digitized innovation unit employing advanced computational methods and generative design to foster more sustainable urban settings.
Our projects also incorporate smart energy systems, advanced water recycling technologies, and low-carbon construction materials.
By prioritizing sustainable materials, advocating circular economy practices, and refining our environmental impact assessment procedures, we continue to pursue our mission to “design smart and build better.”
We take pride in contributing to the ambitious national development agendas of the UAE Vision 2031, Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, and Jordan Vision 2025. These strategic frameworks encourage us to expand our aspirations, enhance our construction practices, and innovate responsibly, assisting governments, clients, and communities in realizing their long-term sustainability and growth objectives.
In Saudi Arabia, we are creating smart industrial zones equipped with integrated renewable systems and digital twin technologies for real-time emissions tracking. These projects utilize building information modeling (ISO 19650-certified) along with AI-enhanced solutions to maximize resource efficiency.
Beyond their environmental benefits, we are also fostering economic diversification and social progress by delivering integrated services in healthcare, education, and industrial growth. Our facilities support over 50 million people with robust water and waste management services.
By embedding sustainability and digital innovation throughout our processes—from design to operational execution—we actively contribute to national net-zero targets and support the region’s economic transition.
With a portfolio that includes smart campuses, healthcare centers, and sustainable communities, which project do you believe will most significantly impact the region’s urban environment and why
We are proud to have shaped the region’s infrastructure with an impressive portfolio that includes over 16,000 hospital beds, two million square meters of educational facilities, one million square meters of industrial infrastructure, and more than three million square meters of residential projects, all aimed at fostering inclusive, modern communities.
Among our remarkable initiatives, two projects stand out for their potential to transform urban living in the region. The first is the redevelopment of Al-Sadr City in Baghdad, which demonstrates our holistic approach to sustainable urbanism. Covering 10 square kilometers, it will provide over 60,000 housing units for more than 400,000 residents.
This initiative addresses urban density challenges through our innovative ‘vertical communities’ concept, aiming to preserve Iraqi cultural heritage while incorporating smart city technologies, sophisticated water management systems, and social infrastructure such as healthcare and educational facilities.
Simultaneously, the Wadi Al-Kabir Industrial City project in Oman epitomizes our vision of eco-futurism within a 2.15 million-square-meter development area. This project utilizes our computational design techniques and environmental management systems to establish a contemporary industrial ecosystem, featuring advanced digital infrastructure, renewable energy sources, and principles of the circular economy.
These initiatives showcase our commitment to sustainable industrial growth, integrating smart mobility, water-efficient designs, and community-centric planning aligned with ISO 14001 standards for environmental management.
Together, these undertakings exhibit how our comprehensive development methodology can produce significant social and environmental benefits, while promoting quality of life and establishing new standards for urban change in the Middle East.
AJi’s rise by 21 positions in ENR’s Top 225 rankings signifies what impact
Achieving the 86th position globally in Engineering News-Record’s (ENR) 2025 ‘The Best 225’ report of International Design Firms is indeed an honor for us. This advancement of 21 places in one year firmly places us among the elite 100 design firms worldwide. It underscores the significance of our contributions, reflecting our established legacy, professional dedication, and focus on redefining infrastructure within the MENA region.
Over the years, we have become a reliable partner for many ambitious regional projects, driven by our clients’ transformative visions that challenge us to broaden our horizons in order to fulfill their needs, particularly in promoting sustainable environments and adopting advanced technologies.
In its report, ENR emphasized our strategic approach to overcoming industry challenges, especially in talent development, fostering sustainability, and enhancing transnational collaboration. Our focus on integrating technology, ensuring climate resilience, and facilitating energy transition solutions solidifies our commitment to sustainability across borders while empowering local talent.
Since your appointment as CEO in 2020, AJi has achieved impressive growth in revenue, profit, and workforce expansion. What strategic measures facilitated this swift evolution
The rapid transformation we experienced is attributable to a detailed five-year strategic plan centered around 18 critical initiatives, with three core priorities: leveraging our legacy, empowering our workforce, and shaping the urban future of the region. We have broadened our services across six high-growth sectors: Urban Environment, Wellness and Healthcare, Utilities and Environmental Services, Mobility and Transportation, Eco-Futurism, and Advisory Solutions, allowing us to provide integrated services under one roof.
Additionally, we strategically expanded our regional presence, currently operating in 13 locations, including four offices in Saudi Arabia and three in the UAE. We also made substantial investments in technological advancements, earning ISO certifications in building information modeling (BIM) and information security.
Sustainability has been a focal point across our operations; we published our inaugural GRI-certified ESG report and improved our capabilities in AI and digital technologies. This paradigm has not only catalyzed financial success but has also fortified our reputation as a trusted collaborator for the region’s most ambitious undertakings.
Central to our growth strategy has been our commitment to innovation. We’ve advanced our capabilities in AI and BIM, gaining critical certifications such as ISO 19650 for BIM and ISO/IEC 27001:2022 for Information Security.
Such an approach has fostered significant trust from clients, with nearly half of our projects stemming from repeat partnerships. We have also strengthened our specialized subsidiaries, including HDP Overseas in healthcare and QHC AJI in UAE infrastructure development, while expanding our workforce to 1,300 professionals across 25 markets. These efforts position AJi as a crucial partner in regional infrastructure initiatives.
How do you foresee the evolution of design and engineering in balancing economic growth with environmental goals across the Middle East
I firmly believe that the future landscape of design and engineering in the Middle East will hinge on firms transforming environmental challenges into opportunities for economic creativity. Our achievements demonstrate this approach through quantifiable outcomes, including our advancements in GHG emissions.
Our vision is rooted in tangible accomplishments: we have successfully completed over 100 renewable energy and waste management initiatives that serve more than 50 million people; we are equipped with ISO 14001-certified environmental management systems and ISO 19650-certified Building Information Modeling capabilities.
These factors enable us to create infrastructure that is both environmentally friendly and economically viable, addressing issues such as water-efficient designs in areas with water scarcity and smart city solutions that optimize resource use while enhancing urban livability.
Looking to the future, we are concentrating on three primary drivers: digital evolution through sophisticated technologies like digital twins and AI, circular economy principles applied in design and material selection, and climate-resilient infrastructure to meet the distinct environmental challenges of the region.
Our integrated methodology, underpinned by our GRI-certified ESG framework, aligns with national net-zero objectives while facilitating economic diversification. We regard it as our duty to cultivate a future where sustainable design serves as the cornerstone of economic viability—as regional governments advocate for being both ‘pro-growth and pro-climate.’
AJi operates through six sectors, from Eco-Futurism to Utilities and Mobility. How does this diverse structure enhance your capacity to engage with complex, multi-disciplinary projects
Our six dedicated sectors offer a unique, integrated delivery framework that enhances our proficiency in handling complex projects, positioning us as a comprehensive solution provider.
This structure has proved effective across our diverse portfolio—which includes over 600,000 square meters of leading pharmaceutical facilities, more than 6,000 keys in the hospitality sector, over three million square meters of industrial infrastructure, and around 200,000 square meters dedicated to national security and essential services, as well as 100,000 square meters of bridges and essential infrastructure and over 10,000 kilometers of roadways and transit corridors.
Each vertical contributes distinctive expertise that complements the others. For instance, our Urban Environment team’s proficiency in architectural and sustainable design aligns seamlessly with our Eco-Futurism sector’s focus on environmental stewardship and renewable energy solutions. Our Utilities & Environment specialists work in tandem with our Mobility teams to develop cohesive infrastructure networks.
The result is a comprehensive hub capable of addressing multiple technical challenges at once—whether it’s integrating smart city technologies, implementing advanced water recycling systems, or constructing climate-resilient infrastructure.
With a presence across 13 offices in the MENA region and a legacy spanning over 60 years, how does AJi Group uphold local relevance while broadening its reach across various markets
Our strategy to balance local relevance with expansion across diverse markets is rooted in strong community involvement and strategic collaborations. At the governance level, many senior team members contribute to industry standards via membership in national engineering councils across Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, and Jordan.
We are dedicated to meeting local content and in-country value requirements for services and products in the markets we serve, ensuring we engage with local ecosystems and communities.
Our teams are deeply embedded in local communities while connected to a broader network of international expertise, allowing us to craft solutions that strongly resonate locally yet adhere to global standards. An example of this approach is our active internship and capacity-building initiatives in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, where AJi engineers and architects work with interns and partner with universities and vocational institutions.
We also promote sustainable practices—essential for local impact—through strategic alliances, such as our Platinum Corporate Membership with the Jordan Green Building Council, ensuring our efforts align with global expectations and national environmental priorities.
This “Glocal” model not only guides our business operations but also fosters meaningful community engagement. Through various initiatives organized by our Social Committee, from environmental campaigns to educational seminars, our projects contribute to national development objectives. This balanced approach, which marries local knowledge with global proficiency, has also facilitated the cultivation of strong client relationships.
As the Middle East invests significantly in smart cities, healthcare infrastructure, and sustainable transportation, which sector do you predict will experience the most rapid expansion in the coming five years
Given our market standing and ongoing projects, we anticipate significant growth in the healthcare and sustainable infrastructure sectors within the next five years. This outlook is corroborated by our recent achievements and rankings; we’re currently positioned 16th globally in healthcare and 17th in wastewater treatment according to ENR, reflecting a heightened focus in these areas.
The healthcare sector is witnessing substantial investments in advanced facilities. Through our specialized subsidiary HDP Overseas, we are developing the Middle East’s first heavy-ion therapy center at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, a project that showcases the region’s commitment to premier healthcare infrastructure.
The acceleration of sustainable infrastructure projects is equally notable. The incorporation of smart city technologies has become essential for all major developments. This encompasses water-efficient designs suited for water-scarce regions and digital twin technologies that facilitate real-time infrastructure management.
While smart mobility will also see significant advancements, we believe that healthcare and sustainable infrastructure will take precedence, reflecting regional priorities where governments are channeling investments towards resilient healthcare systems, water and wastewater infrastructure, and environmentally friendly urban areas that align with climate objectives.
Global supply chains, emerging technologies such as AI, and elevated sustainability standards are reshaping engineering and design. How do you envision these forces impacting the future of the built environment in the region
These forces are fundamentally altering our approach to designing and delivering infrastructure in the region. Pressures on global supply chains are prompting the adoption of more resilient and adaptable procurement strategies, while technologies like AI, BIM, and Digital Twins are facilitating smarter, data-driven decisions that mitigate risks and enhance performance.
These converging elements are initiating a transformation in our strategies concerning the built environment across the MENA region. In response, we are implementing innovative initiatives, including the Yellow Lab, where we are rethinking the design process through advanced computational approaches and generative design methodologies.
The influence is evident in our procurement and delivery strategies. Achieving ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification has allowed us to establish secure, digitally integrated supply chains that optimize project efficiency while minimizing environmental impact. Our digital-first mindset extends to our design processes, where we are at the forefront of employing cutting-edge techniques for architectural computation and environmental assessments that were previously unattainable.
Elevating sustainability standards necessitates embedding ESG principles into every project stage. Together, these trends signal that the future of our sector will become more integrated, agile, and purpose-driven, ensuring that the infrastructure not only fulfills contemporary requirements but also supports the long-term aspirations of the region.
There is already a strong initiative by regional governments, particularly in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, to incorporate AI technologies across the entire project lifecycle, which will significantly influence project delivery frameworks.
As we look forward, the amalgamation of AI and machine learning with conventional engineering expertise is paving the way for adaptive, intelligent, and climate-responsive infrastructure solutions. We are firm in our belief that digital innovation, sustainable design, and context-aware approaches are creating a new trajectory for the planning and implementation of infrastructure that is resilient, resource-efficient, and closely tied to the unique environmental and cultural needs of our region. At AJi, our committed workforce is instrumental in advancing this new design, architecture, and consultancy philosophy.