logo
Saudi Group Developments unveils Valea project in West Cairo

Saudi Group Developments unveils Valea project in West Cairo

Zawya22-05-2025

Egypt - Saudi Group Developments has officially launched Valea, a new mixed-use residential project in Sheikh Zayed City, West Cairo, with a total investment of EGP 3bn.
The development is a strategic collaboration between Saudi businessman Eng. Yahya bin Ahmed Al-Ansari, Chairman of Saudi Group Developments, and Eng. Bashar Mohamed Abu Hamar, the Group's CEO.
Valea will offer a variety of residential options, including one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, as well as penthouses. A commercial mall overlooking the Cairo-Alexandria Desert Road will serve residents and visitors, enhancing the community's lifestyle offerings.
In a move towards sustainable urban planning, the entire internal area of the project has been designed for pedestrians and cyclists, with vehicle access restricted to the outer perimeter to ensure a safe and tranquil environment.
'The Valea project reflects our vision to build integrated residential communities that offer more than just homes — they deliver a balanced lifestyle that embraces innovation, sustainability, and privacy,' said Al-Ansari at the launch event. 'We believe the future of real estate lies in respecting the environment and enhancing people's well-being.'
CEO Bashar Mohamed Abu Hamar emphasized the company's market-oriented approach: 'This project represents our commitment to providing real value to the Egyptian market through modern communities that meet international standards while preserving Egyptian heritage.'
Ziad El-Sayyad, Head of the Architecture Department at Alexandria University and the project's lead architectural consultant, highlighted that Valea's design focuses on sustainability, energy efficiency, and expansive green areas to promote comfort and well-being. The project also includes a commercial hub tailored to meet residents' everyday needs.
With Valea, Saudi Group Developments aims to deliver a smart, private, and comfortable living experience in one of Egypt's most dynamic urban centers.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

From Jordan to UAE: How startup provides energy access to refugees
From Jordan to UAE: How startup provides energy access to refugees

Khaleej Times

time5 hours ago

  • Khaleej Times

From Jordan to UAE: How startup provides energy access to refugees

A Dubai-based technology start-up is helping power refugee camps in Jordan. Smart Eye Global is supporting the Azraq Refugee Camp, which faced severe electricity shortages, with a smart system that increased the electricity access from eight hours to 24 hours daily for over 1,000 residents. Energy waste was reduced by 47 percent, saving aid agencies over $50,000 annually in fuel costs. 'We implemented an advanced AI-powered Smart Energy Management System (EMS) to transform energy access and efficiency in the camp,' said Omar Asaad, co-founder and chairperson of Smart Eye Global. 'Environmentally, the system cut CO₂ emissions by 97.2 tonnes per year, equivalent to planting 2,500 trees. Socially, the impact included improved health and food safety, reduced tensions through fair energy distribution, and the creation of over 30 technical jobs for youth within the camp.' The EMS featured smart meters for real-time consumption monitoring and a dynamic load control to prioritise essential appliances like lighting and refrigeration. It also had a 'fair-share algorithm' to ensure equitable energy distribution across households. The system was integrated with solar-diesel hybrid technology to reduce dependency on costly diesel generators. Smart Eye has also partnered with the World Food Programme (WFP), to install smart solar systems in 350 refugee homes in Northern Jordan. The company also has an ongoing smart water project across 40 public schools in the area that uses sensors and AI to detect leaks and optimise usage, aiming to cut water waste by up to 35 percent and improve hygiene for over 10,000 students. Coming to the UAE Originally founded in Jordan, Smart Eye Global was selected as part of Cohort 9 of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund (MBRIF) Innovation Accelerator program earlier this year. This enabled the group to shift to the UAE and scale its impact. 'We chose to set up an office here because the UAE is a strategic hub for clean technology, investment, and global partnerships,' said Omar. 'There is also a growing demand for smart energy solutions among manufacturers, real estate developers, and government entities.' He added that the company is also seeing 'strong opportunities' in the education and green building sectors, where we aim to support retrofitting efforts in schools, universities, and residential complexes. 'The UAE also offers a scalable platform to expand across the Gulf, thanks to its robust innovation ecosystem and sustainability goals,' he said. Pilot projects In the UAE, the company is working on providing AI-powered EMS and sustainability solutions that help industrial, commercial, and residential sectors cut energy waste and reduce carbon emissions in a smart, cost-effective way. 'We have already carried out successful pilot projects in the UAE, including energy audits and EMS deployments for industrial partners like IFFCO, where we helped improve operational efficiency,' he said. 'With support from MBRIF, we are planning to retrofit over 10 educational and commercial buildings with our EMS in 2025. We also aim to support public-private partnerships that enhance grid resilience and lower energy costs across the UAE.' In addition to this, the company is also working on some regional projects. In Oman, the group is part of the Omantel Innovation Labs accelerator and is preparing to launch their first energy efficiency pilots in industrial zones and smart buildings. 'We are also working with NGOs and local governments to deploy modular solar and EMS systems in underserved regions, especially in East and West Africa,' he said. 'These solutions will help provide 24/7 electricity to off-grid schools and health centers.'

Vingroup and Gulf States Pursue Sustainability-Led Growth as Legacy Powerhouses Reinvent
Vingroup and Gulf States Pursue Sustainability-Led Growth as Legacy Powerhouses Reinvent

Zawya

timea day ago

  • Zawya

Vingroup and Gulf States Pursue Sustainability-Led Growth as Legacy Powerhouses Reinvent

Vietnam's Vingroup and Gulf states are both rewriting their growth playbooks through state-led sustainability drives, forging a parallel transformation from legacy empires into green innovation hubs. HANOI, VIETNAM - Media OutReach Newswire - 6 June 2025 - Vietnam's Vingroup and Gulf nations share parallel journeys of strategic reinvention, as the old playbooks that delivered decades of growth are showing their limits. While Gulf countries built wealth on fossil fuel, Vingroup created enormous value through real estate and hospitality. Both are now shifting beyond their legacy sectors: Vingroup focuses on digital innovation and sustainability, and the Gulf nations seeks to diversify beyond hydrocarbons. For them, strategic reinvention becomes the logical response. Not disruption for disruption's sake, but calculated transformation grounded in self-preservation and innovation. Their experiences offer valuable lessons on how legacy powerhouses can adapt to structural transformation. A new growth engine that's not oil The UAE and Qatar demonstrate how national strategy can drive transformation. The UAE's Net Zero by 2050 initiative links energy policy with investment decisions and foreign relations. Qatar's National Vision 2030 embeds environmental stewardship into economic planning. More than just being aspirational, these documents translate into concrete investments. For example, the UAE committed over $54 billion to clean energy infrastructure, while Qatar doubled its solar capacity to 1.675 GW by 2025[1], cutting CO₂ emissions significantly. Sovereign wealth funds play crucial roles. Mubadala and QIA direct capital into clean technology as diversification hedges, treating green investments as strategic portfolio moves that reduce long-term risk while capturing growth opportunities. A Southeast Asian reinvention Turning to Southeast Asia, the story Vingroup mirrors many of the same themes of strategic reinvention seen in the Gulf. Originally a property development powerhouse, the conglomerate diversified into other fields such as electric vehicle production, smart technology, and green manufacturing. VinFast, its automotive arm, delivered over 97,000 electric cars in 2024 and targets 200,000 deliveries in 2025. In the context of Vietnam aiming to become a high-income country in its "era of national rise", Vingroup functions as a national champion, building the country's first global EV brand while creating jobs and technological capabilities. The company's manufacturing complex in Hai Phong utilizes green practices and scales to serve both domestic and export markets. The broader ecosystem reflects systematic thinking. VinBus provides electric public transport in major cities. Smart homes in Vinhomes developments showcase energy efficiency. AI and IoT technologies optimize resource use across business lines. Each initiative reinforces the others. When green visions align Shared motivations drive collaboration. Both regions face climate urgency, pursue economic resilience, and seek global relevance. Complementary strengths make partnership logical. For example, the UAE's Masdar built Indonesia's largest floating solar plant[2]. Vingroup's EV arm, VinFast, opened regional showrooms and has signed several MOUs with regional reputable companies. Vietnam and the UAE signed their first trade pact, focusing on technology exchange. These ties leverage unique strengths: the Gulf states brings capital, energy expertise, and execution; Southeast Asia offers manufacturing, markets, and innovation capacity. In their collaboration, the Gulf states and Vingroup prove legacy players can align vision and capital for systemic change. Sustainability, when policy-led, becomes a growth pathway. Strategic reinvention turns challenges into advantages. Hashtag: #Vingroup The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Vingroup

Natural Gas and Africa's Energy Future: Balancing Growth and Sustainability (By Adrian Strydom)
Natural Gas and Africa's Energy Future: Balancing Growth and Sustainability (By Adrian Strydom)

Zawya

time2 days ago

  • Zawya

Natural Gas and Africa's Energy Future: Balancing Growth and Sustainability (By Adrian Strydom)

By Adrian Strydom, Chief Executive Officer of the South African Oil and Gas Alliance ( Africa is at a turning point in its energy journey. As cities expand and industries grow, the demand for electricity is rising fast. By 2040, Africa will need nearly 1,200 gigawatts of power, yet 600 million ( people still lack electricity, holding back development, healthcare, and education. This creates a major challenge: How can Africa expand energy access without locking itself into high-emission fuels? The solution must balance affordability, sustainability, and reliability. While solar and wind power are critical, most countries lack the infrastructure to rely on them alone. Grids must remain stable, industries need steady energy, and cross-border trade requires a consistent supply. Natural gas plays a vital role in this—acting as a bridge to cleaner energy while meeting urgent electricity needs. Africa houses about 7% ( of the world's proven natural gas reserves, and production has increased by over 70% since 2000, with forecasts predicting 520 billion ( cubic meters by 2050. Several African countries are already benefiting from utilising natural gas reserves. Nigeria, Africa's largest gas producer, has over 200 tcf of reserves, supporting millions of jobs across extraction, processing, and transportation. The Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) project in Senegal and Mauritania is attracting billions in investment, strengthening energy security. South Africa, facing a 'gas cliff' due to declining imports, is exploring its local reserves to protect industrial growth. Mozambique's Coral Sul floating LNG platform has already started production, with revenue projections reaching around $70 million annually between 2025 and 2027. Meanwhile, the Mozambique LNG and Rovuma LNG projects hold immense potential, boasting over 100 trillion cubic feet of recoverable gas, though they remain in early development stages. Many African countries produce only a small fraction of global emissions, yet they withstand the worst of climate change, facing extreme droughts, floods, and food insecurity. Expecting them to abandon fossil fuels without practical alternatives could slow economic development and widen inequalities. A fair energy transition must acknowledge that countries have different economic conditions and needs than major polluters. The shift to cleaner energy must be structured in a way that allows Africa to grow sustainably without compromising its ability to provide reliable power, create jobs, and strengthen its industries. Currently, many African countries don't have the infrastructure to rely on renewables alone. Power grids are weak, underfunded, and often unreliable. The main challenge with solar and wind energy is that they depend on the weather. If the sun isn't shining or the wind isn't blowing, power generation drops, causing disruptions. Batteries can store excess energy for later use, but large-scale storage technology is still too expensive and not widely available. This is where natural gas plays a crucial role. Natural gas and renewables complement each other to form a balanced and resilient energy mix. Gas provides the flexibility to fill in the gaps when renewable output is low, ensuring a constant and stable electricity supply. Additionally, gas-fired plants can ramp up quickly to meet demand and are more responsive than coal, making them ideal partners for intermittent energy sources. It is noteworthy that the infrastructure built for natural gas today, such as pipelines and generation facilities, can even be repurposed to carry cleaner fuels like green hydrogen. This synergy allows African countries to continue scaling up renewables with confidence, knowing that natural gas is there to provide reliability, bridge energy gaps, and support the transition toward a low-carbon future. Natural gas has been a key transitional energy source worldwide. In Africa, its role is even more critical. The continent has vast gas reserves, yet much of its potential remains untapped due to limited infrastructure investment and regulatory uncertainty. If developed strategically, natural gas can drive industrial growth, strengthen energy security, and create the capacity needed for long-term investment in renewable energy. However, unlocking this potential requires coordinated action. Expanding gas infrastructure requires long-term investment in pipelines, processing plants, and export terminals, which take years to build. Investors need policy clarity and predictable returns, so governments must offer stable tax structures, licensing agreements, and local value retention policies to keep revenues in African economies. Africa's energy future must grow in a way that works for its people. Electricity must remain accessible for homes, businesses, and industries while innovative technologies develop. This is not a choice between gas and renewables - it is about using the right tools at the right time. Natural gas is a cornerstone of an orderly and just transition. With careful planning, natural gas can support Africa's economy today while building the foundation for a cleaner, more resilient future. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of South African Oil and Gas Alliance.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store