Diaspo #387 : Ghizlane Karaoui, from psychology to the top of Dubai's real estate market

Ya Biladi

03-05-2025

Moroccan-born Ghizlane Karaoui may have specialized in psychology, but her passion for challenges and ambition led her into the competitive world of real estate in Dubai. There, she carved out a name for herself in a market that values only competence and relentless hard work. Drawing on her academic background, she used her understanding of human behavior to connect with clients and analyze their needs—skills that helped her forge strong relationships and deliver impressive results in a short time.
Ghizlanebelieves that psychology extends far beyond clinics and counseling centers; it's a powerful tool for understanding human behavior in all contexts—including real estate. «Buying or investing isn't just a rational decision. Emotions and psychological motivations play a big role too», she explains.
From Safi to Dubai, via London and Cairo
Born in 1988 in the city of Safi and raised in Khouribga, where her father worked, Ghizlaneearned her baccalaureate before continuing her studies at Egypt's 6th of October University. She then moved to the United Kingdom and completed a master's degree in behavioral psychology at Brunel University in London.
In 2014, she was offered a job at a center in Dubai for children with autism. But after a year and a half, she made the difficult decision to leave the role. «I tried to support children facing enormous challenges, but despite how fulfilling the work was, it was also emotionally draining. I found myself deeply affected by their struggles, and eventually, I had to step away», she told Yabiladi.
Soon after, a group of friends working in real estate encouraged her to give the field a try. She submitted her resume to a real estate developer and was quickly hired. «I progressed quickly», she recalls. «I was fully dedicated—working every day of the week, unlike most of my colleagues».
Ghizlaneworked in real estate until 2018, when she and a business partner decided to launch a property consultancy. In 2023, she went solo and established her own company: GhizlaneReal Estate. Drawing on her years of experience, she built a team of ten employees from different nationalities. She notes that most of the demand for Dubai property comes from Europe, which is why each staff member focuses on clients from their home countries to ensure smoother communication.
«Our mission is to help clients find their dream homes or the best investment opportunities», she explains. «We also offer services like interior design and furnishing to make the process even easier».
In recognition of her success, Ghizlanewas named «Woman of the Year in Real Estate» in 2023 and received the award from Sheikha Jawaher bint Khalifa Al Khalifa. She was also honored with the «You Are a Woman of Society» award by Sheikha Mahra bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
While her company is currently based in the UAE, she hasn't expanded internationally yet. «Real estate is a complex business that requires deep knowledge of local laws and regulations», she says. «But I am seriously considering Morocco. It's a rising destination on the global investment map, and with clear and solid legislation, it could become even more attractive».
A passion for community and culture
Outside her business ventures, Ghizlaneis active in social work—particularly in supporting women and children with special needs. Her efforts have been widely recognized. In 2024, she was named Peace Ambassador by the International Human Rights Organization and Wishes Ambassador by the Wishes Center for Special Needs. In 2025, she received the Zayed Humanitarian Shield, a certificate of appreciation from the «From Determination to Peaks» initiative, and an honorary award from Dubai Police in 2022 for her community contributions.
She's also a passionate advocate for Moroccan cultural heritage, which she believes is increasingly vulnerable to appropriation. «We're one of the few cultures that have preserved our traditions. The caftan, the jabador, the tea tray, the jellaba—these are all deeply rooted symbols», she says. «My mother was a skilled seamstress who mastered Fassi embroidery, and from a young age, I developed a love for our heritage».
To share that culture, she helped organize a Moroccan cultural festival in the UAE in partnership with a local association. «We plan to keep organizing future editions ourselves, and expand to Jordan and Kuwait to highlight Moroccan zellige, craftsmanship, wedding traditions, and more».
In closing, Ghizlaneexpressed regret over what she sees as a lack of attention to the Moroccan community in the UAE, which is estimated at around 85,000 people. «It's one of the most active and deeply connected diasporas», she said. «Yet it still suffers from outdated stereotypes that don't reflect the community's real contributions or identity».