AD Ports Group & Danube Sign AED 840m KEZAD Deal​

Danube Properties’ AED 840m KEZAD Transaction: Strategic Implications for Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi’s next growth corridor is advancing as AD Ports Group signs a land sale agreement valued at AED 840m with Danube Properties. The agreement covers nearly 1 million square metres of freehold land within KEZAD Town Centre, a master-planned district spanning close to 16 square kilometres.

The proposed development is positioned as a major residential and mixed-use community intended to create a coherent living and lifestyle destination near KEZAD’s industrial and business clusters. For the wider Abu Dhabi real estate market, the announcement reinforces continued momentum toward integrated, infrastructure-led community development aligned with employment centres.

Transaction Overview and Key Parameters

AD Ports Group confirmed that the agreement forms part of its land monetisation strategy and the phased acceleration of KEZAD Town Centre’s build-out. The transaction is the second land sale executed under the KEZAD Town Centre masterplan, following an earlier deal with Mira Developments concluded in October.

Key parameters disclosed include:

• Land area: approximately 1 SQM of freehold land
• Masterplan context: KEZAD Town Centre (total area close to 16 SQM)
• Consideration: AED 840 Million
• Payment profile: 10% down payment, with collections over four years
• Development scope: a large-scale residential and mixed-use project

The structured collection schedule provides AD Ports Group with phased proceeds while securing an initial down payment and greater predictability in medium-term inflows.

Alignment with AD Ports Group’s Capital and Landbank Strategy

AD Ports Group positioned the agreement as a financial and strategic move. The proceeds will be collected over four years and are expected to support the Group’s goal to deleverage its balance sheet, strengthening liquidity and financial flexibility.

From a market perspective, this approach reflects a broader theme across the region: large master-developers and landowners increasingly unlock value from landbanks by partnering with established private developers—especially those with recognizable delivery track records. It’s a model that can accelerate development without placing the full burden of execution, marketing, and delivery on the landholding entity.

Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO of AD Ports Group, also pointed to improving land values in the second Town Centre transaction as a sign of rising market confidence in the KEZAD Town Centre vision.

Development Rationale and Danube Properties’ Execution Profile

Danube Properties, a subsidiary of the Danube Group, has built a strong brand in the UAE’s private developer segment. The company was established by Rizwan Sajan in 1993 and has launched 40 projects, with 20 successfully delivered.

For Danube properties, KEZAD Town Centre offers three strategic advantages.

• First, the scale is significant, which enables a true community concept rather than a standalone building cluster.
• Second, proximity to industrial and business zones can create durable end-user demand, especially as workforces grow and seek housing closer to employment.
• Third, master-planned infrastructure and connectivity can reduce long-term “location risk” compared to areas where infrastructure arrives late.

Rizwan Sajan described the partnership as aligned with Danube’s focus on delivering high-quality residential and mixed-use communities, adding that the agreement provides a foundation to meet market demand while contributing to the growth of an emerging destination.

Forward Indicators and Market Considerations

While the announcement confirms land size, value, and the broad development intent, buyers and investors will watch for the project’s positioning and delivery roadmap. Key items likely to shape market response include the unit mix (apartments vs. townhouses), lifestyle and retail components, launch pricing, and the pace of phase releases.

More broadly, KEZAD Town Centre’s progress will be measured by how well it becomes a complete district—one where infrastructure readiness, planning standards, and community needs stay aligned as new parcels are released.

If execution matches ambition, the Danube-AD Ports deal could become one of the defining catalysts turning KEZAD Town Centre from a masterplan into a lived-in, economically active community—supporting Abu Dhabi’s growth agenda while opening a new chapter for residential supply near key employment centers.