Egyptian billionaire Nassef Sawiris is preparing to mobilize up to $50 billion in capital over the next decade to invest in infrastructure opportunities across the United States, as he moves to consolidate his publicly listed holding companies in Abu Dhabi.
The capital will be deployed alongside partners and investors and used to finance and invest in US infrastructure projects, either directly or indirectly, through a combination of equity and credit over the next 10 years.
Potential Merger
On Monday, OCI Global and Orascom Construction announced a potential merger that would create a scalable infrastructure and investment platform anchored in Abu Dhabi with global reach, according to a stock exchange filing. The proposed combination would unite Orascom’s $14 billion project backlog and global construction expertise with OCI’s investment platform and disciplined capital allocation strategy.
Speaking to the Financial Times, Sawiris said he is shifting his focus to the next stage of his business journey, identifying infrastructure as the sector with the strongest long-term investment potential.
Expanding US Presence
Orascom established its presence in the United States in 2012 through the acquisition of its subsidiary Weitz. Since then, the company has delivered a wide range of projects, including data centers, airport terminals, and university housing developments.
Wealth Snapshot
Sawiris had an estimated real-time net worth of $8.8 billion as of September 22, 2025, according to Forbes estimates.
Orascom Trading in Abu Dhabi
Earlier this month, Orascom began trading on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange under the ticker symbol ORAS. The move followed shareholder approval to shift the company’s primary listing from Nasdaq Dubai to ADX and to transfer its incorporation from the Dubai International Financial Center to the Abu Dhabi Global Market.
Orascom delivers infrastructure, industrial, and commercial projects across the Middle East, Africa, and the United States. The company also develops and invests in concessions, holds a 50 percent stake in BESIX Group, and manages a diversified portfolio that includes building materials, facility management, and equipment services.
Financial Performance
Orascom reported a 32.4 percent year-on-year increase in first-half revenue, reaching $1.9 billion. Its construction backlog rose 24 percent to $9.6 billion, supported by new project awards totaling $3.4 billion during the first half of the year, according to its latest earnings report.
Forbes Recognition
Orascom ranked sixth on Forbes Middle East’s list of Egypt’s Top 50 Listed Companies for 2025. The company’s CEO, Osama Bishai, was ranked 56th on Forbes Middle East’s Top CEOs list for 2024.
This story was updated at 1:00 pm AST Arabia on Monday.
