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Hassan Allam eyes role in Saudi Arabia’s transformation

16 May 2025

 

As Saudi Arabia undertakes a generational transformation under Vision 2030, regional players with deep engineering and construction expertise are emerging as critical enablers of this historic journey.

Among them, Egypt-headquartered Hassan Allam Holding has rapidly expanded its footprint in the kingdom, leveraging a legacy that dates back over 85 years and a proven regional model built on operational excellence and sustainable growth.

MEED spoke exclusively with Hassan Allam, CEO of Hassan Allam Holding, to discuss the firm’s role and future plans in the kingdom.

Founded in 1936, Hassan Allam Holding’s vision in Saudi Arabia is rooted in delivering long-term value while maintaining a high-quality standard across diverse sectors.

With a presence now in over 10 countries, the group brings cross-market expertise and resource optimisation to some of the kingdom’s most ambitious projects.

“Saudi Arabia, given its scale, ambition and market maturity, plays a central role in our regional strategy,” Allam says.

Deepening roots in the kingdom

The company’s journey in Saudi Arabia began over 40 years ago, but its recent establishment of a regional headquarters in Riyadh marks a significant institutional shift.

“This move has enabled us to engage more deeply with key stakeholders, navigate regulatory frameworks with greater efficiency and build strong local partnerships,” Allam explains.

This embedded approach has allowed Hassan Allam to localise its supply chains, access talent pools more effectively and align closely with Saudi Arabia’s major development programmes.

“The kingdom is not just another market – it is a strategic hub where Hassan Allam has made significant investments in capabilities, people and systems,” Allam adds.

Contributing to Vision 2030

Hassan Allam’s operations in Saudi Arabia fully align with Vision 2030’s objectives to diversify the economy, enhance quality of life and ensure sustainable development.

“Our operations are structured to support national objectives through a diversified portfolio, leveraging our deep technical expertise and regional track record,” Allam says.

Projects span a wide range of sectors, including infrastructure, transportation, hospitality, water treatment and environmental sustainability. Notable among these are several luxury hospitality developments in collaboration with Red Sea Global, such as the Four Seasons, Six Senses and Rosewood hotels at the Amaala destination. These projects exemplify the group’s commitment to delivering high-end, sustainable tourism offerings.

Environmental initiatives are also a core part of the company’s portfolio. “In Neom, we are proud to contribute to the world’s largest coral reef restoration initiative in collaboration with Kaust,” Allam notes, highlighting a pioneering effort in marine conservation.

Managing complexity at scale

Executing gigaprojects on accelerated timelines requires agility, precision and scale, all of which are hallmarks of Hassan Allam’s approach in the kingdom. With over 50,000 professionals across the region, the group deploys integrated planning, early stakeholder engagement and digital project management to manage complex scopes.

“Our track record includes delivering time-sensitive, high-impact projects like the luxury hospitality hotels in Amaala and the King Abdullah Financial District monorail,” Allam explains. Modular construction, strong supply chains and lean practices ensure that speed never comes at the expense of quality or safety.

The company also made major investments in adopting construction technology across its Saudi projects. Through its dedicated technical and digital delivery department, which evolved from its building information modelling (BIM) department, founded in 2018, the company deploys technologies like 3D to 6D BIM, geographic information systems, laser scanning, drones, augmented reality/virtual reality, digital twins and artificial intelligence.

“These technologies are applied from early tendering and design through construction, as-built documentation and handover,” Allam notes. The result is enhanced efficiency, cost control and real-time decision-making, key advantages in a market where time and precision are critical.

“Our digital platforms also support real-time collaboration among stakeholders, improving decision-making and enabling proactive risk management,” Allam adds.

Investing in local talent

In line with Saudi Arabia’s workforce nationalisation agenda, Hassan Allam is deeply committed to developing local talent. “Our approach goes beyond compliance with Saudisation targets; it reflects a long-term investment in building a skilled, empowered and future-ready workforce,” Allam says.

Its dedicated talent programme provides structured rotational assignments and mentorship for young Saudi professionals. Internship and cooperative training programmes offer hands-on project exposure, while ongoing annual training plans ensure continued growth for the broader workforce.

Our approach goes beyond compliance with Saudisation targets; it reflects a long-term investment in building a skilled, empowered and future-ready workforce
Hassan Allam, CEO of Hassan Allam Holding

Navigating challenges with strategic vision

Operating in Saudi Arabia does come with its complexities, from rapidly evolving regulations to high localisation standards. But the company views these as opportunities.

“What sets Saudi Arabia apart from other GCC countries is the scale and structure of government support, particularly through the Public Investment Fund (PIF),” Allam notes.

Through close collaboration with PIF, Hassan Allam has scaled up rapidly, mobilising over 3,600 employees across 15 ongoing projects in the kingdom.

When entering joint ventures or bidding on gigaproject components, Hassan Allam maintains a cautious yet ambitious strategy.

“We approach every joint venture and project bid with a measured, strategic mindset that weighs both opportunity and risk through comprehensive due diligence,” Allam says.

The focus is on long-term value creation, working with reputable partners and adhering to stringent internal risk protocols. Already, the company has secured over 14 project awards in the kingdom, further solidifying Saudi Arabia’s importance in its regional portfolio.

Looking ahead

The next three to five years are expected to witness continued momentum in Saudi Arabia’s construction and infrastructure space, driven by sustained public investment and rising private sector engagement. Hassan Allam Holding is positioning itself to be a key player in this transformation.

“Our strategic priorities will focus on expanding our local footprint, building strong and enduring partnerships, and advancing our digital and sustainability initiatives,” Allam outlines.

With a legacy of engineering excellence and a future-focused approach, Hassan Allam Holding is set to play an integral role in shaping Saudi Arabia’s next chapter.

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Yasir Iqbal

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    Download the PDF

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