Shaher Awartani Abu Dhabi: A Career Built on Construction, Investment and Community

Shaher Moh’d Ali Awartani built his career by working across construction, real estate, investment and health care. His work spans decades and reflects a direct approach to building companies, forming partnerships and supporting community projects.

He began his education at Queen’s College in Taunton, Somerset, in the United Kingdom. He later earned a management degree from the University of Toledo in 1986. These early experiences prepared him for a career rooted in practical leadership and long-term planning.

Today, the name “Shaher Awartani Abu Dhabi” connects to several companies that operate in the United Arab Emirates and abroad.

Construction and industry

In 1997, Shaher Awartani co-founded Silver Coast Construction and Boring LLC in Abu Dhabi. He serves as the company’s chairman. He leads teams that have reached up to 4,500 employees. Under his leadership, SCCB completed projects in the UAE with a total value of about 1.35 billion U.S. dollars.

He expanded his industrial work in 2010 when he co-founded Abaad Wood Industries. This company focuses on wood manufacturing and provides materials for construction and interior projects. These ventures reflect his direct involvement in building and supporting industrial capacity in the region.

Growth into real estate, investment and hospitality

His work in construction allowed him to move into investment and real estate with a clear understanding of how projects take shape on the ground. In 2013, he co-founded Equalis Capital Ltd in the Dubai International Financial Centre with H.E. Yousef Al Otaiba. Equalis Capital operates as an investment company with a focus on proprietary investments.

In 2015, Global Gate Capital Partners in Geneva invited him to join as a shareholder and board member. The firm manages more than 2 billion U.S. dollars in assets across real estate and private equity. His involvement connected his regional experience with a broader international investment platform.

He entered the Dubai real estate market in 2017 by co-founding High Point Real Estate LLC with H.E. Yousif Al Otaiba, H.E. Waleed Al Mokarrab Al Muhairi and Ahmed Ismail Bashee. The company owns two residential properties valued at about 100 million U.S. dollars.

That same year, he co-founded Café Milano Abu Dhabi at the Four Seasons hotel. The restaurant represents the brand’s only location outside Washington, D.C. He launched the project with H.E. Yousef Al Otaiba and Mubadala Investment Company.

In 2020, he and his partners Yousef Al Otaiba and the Bashee family became major shareholders in Reem Hospital Abu Dhabi. The partnership includes InvestCorp of Bahrain, which Mubadala partly owns, and Wisayah Capital, a subsidiary of Aramco. This investment expanded his work into the health care sector and supported a key medical institution in the city.

In 2024, he co-founded Yasa Capital (DIFC) Limited, an investment and advisory firm regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority as a Category 4 entity. This firm adds another layer to his involvement in finance and advisory services.

Philanthropy and education

Education and health care play a central role in his philanthropic efforts. In 2015, he launched a private scholarship program to support students who need financial assistance. He also donates to health care organizations, including Children’s National Medical Center’s Sheikh Zayed Campus for Advanced Pediatric Medicine in Washington, D.C.

These contributions show his commitment to providing opportunities for young people and supporting medical institutions. His approach to giving follows the same principles as his business work. He identifies a need, forms strong partnerships and creates long-term support.

Conclusion

The career of Shaher Awartani Abu Dhabi spans construction, real estate, investment, hospitality and health care. He builds companies, forms partnerships and supports community-focused projects. His work reflects steady growth and a focus on practical outcomes.

His ventures continue to shape parts of Abu Dhabi and Dubai, while his philanthropic work supports education and health care beyond the region. Through these efforts, he maintains a clear and consistent approach: build strong foundations, invest in long-term value and support institutions that serve the public.