AJi Group ranks among ENR’s top 100 global design firms

Hamzeh Awwad, CEO of AJi Group.
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Updated 13 August 2025
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AJi Group ranks among ENR’s top 100 global design firms

AJi Group, a leading architecture, construction, engineering and consultancy group in the region, has achieved a significant milestone by advancing 21 spots to be ranked among the top 100 international design firms in Engineering News-Record’s prestigious Top 225 list for 2025.

Ranking 86th in the global list that developers and investors turn to, AJi Group was recognized for its significant focus on investments in technology, climate resilience and energy transition. Aligning with the global trends in sustainability, ESG integration, artificial intelligence and resilient and adaptive infrastructure systems, AJi Group has been at the forefront in “reimagining its business model, enhancing operational efficiency and improving the return on investment for clients,” said Hamzeh Awwad, CEO of AJi Group.

“We are honored to be recognized among the top international design firms, a testament to the 60-year legacy of our organization, the commitment of our talented professionals, and our focus on reshaping the future of infrastructure in the MENA region,” added Awwad.

“As a trusted partner to some of the region’s most ambitious projects, we see this recognition as an acknowledgement of the remarkable advancements that the MENA region has made in redefining modern architecture, design and infrastructure development. The vision of our clients enables us to push our boundaries to deliver on their priorities, especially in promoting sustainable built environments and embracing advanced technology,” he said.

With close to half the projects coming from repeat clients, AJi Group is regarded as a go-to-partner for government entities, developers and investors in the MENA region. 

Under Awwad’s leadership, the company has demonstrated exceptional performance across key metrics in recent years, with revenues surging 210 percent in 2024, and its talented professional base growing by 35 percent.

The group’s ascent in the ENR rankings also underscores its strategic expansion across the MENA region, where it operates through 13 regional offices, including four in Saudi Arabia and three in the UAE.

In its report, ENR particularly highlighted AJi Group’s focus on tackling market challenges by embracing a transformation mindset. “As the region transforms, so must we,” observed Awwad, in the 2025 report, adding that the group focused on “empowering local talent, embedding sustainability and driving cross-border collaboration.”

AJi Group’s landmark projects include the Riyadh Municipality EPMO and AFMO, OSUS Eye — the first “10-minute” city in the Saudi capital, Green Riyadh’s projects across four neighborhoods and the Cleveland Clinic Expansion in the UAE.


Alfanar Projects wins MEED Award for ‘Industrial Project of the Year’

Updated 17 December 2025
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Alfanar Projects wins MEED Award for ‘Industrial Project of the Year’

Alfanar Projects has been recognized as a “national winner” at the MEED Projects Awards 2025, for its role as the main contractor in the landmark Tuwaiq Casting and Forging Plant, which was awarded “Industrial Project of the Year.”
Developed through a strategic partnership between the Saudi Arabian Industrial Investments Company, or Dussur, Saudi Aramco, and Doosan Heavy Industries and Construction, the Tuwaiq Casting and Forging Plant represents a cornerstone in the Kingdom’s drive to establish a world-class industrial base, localize advanced manufacturing capabilities, and strengthen national supply chains.
Situated in Ras Al-Khair Industrial City, the plant spans over 400,000 square meters, encompassing 39 major buildings and an extensive network of infrastructure and external works. Alfanar Projects delivered the project on a lump-sum turnkey basis, executing more than 122,000 cubic meters of concrete, erecting 25,000 tons of structural steel, installing hundreds of kilometers of underground piping and cabling, and implementing advanced electrical and mechanical systems to global engineering standards.
With a production capacity of 60,000 tons per year, utilizing state-of-the-art sand casting and open-die forging technologies, the plant will play a pivotal role in serving critical sectors such as the oil and gas industry, maritime industries, and heavy equipment manufacturing, while advancing Saudi Arabia’s goals of industrial localization and self-sufficiency.
Jamal Wadi, president of Alfanar Projects, said: “The Tuwaiq Casting and Forging Plant embodies the pinnacle of what engineering can achieve when coupled with determination. The project brought together complex architectural and structural challenges with advanced engineering solutions, which we executed with precision and efficiency. This landmark facility stands as a testament to our deep expertise as an industrial contractor and to our ability to harness engineering excellence in building strategic projects that underpin the Kingdom’s economic future.”
The MEED Projects Awards, organized in partnership with Mashreq Bank, are among the most prestigious accolades in the region, celebrating excellence in project delivery across sectors. Alfanar Projects’ recognition underscores its role as a leading national contractor, committed to delivering world-class industrial infrastructure projects that support the Kingdom’s long-term vision for sustainable growth and industrial leadership.
The leading engineering and construction company is dedicated to advancing the Kingdom’s infrastructure and industrial landscape in alignment with Vision 2030. Through its commitment to sustainable development, Alfanar Projects supports the growth of key sectors, including building construction, urban infrastructure, renewable energy, and grid modernization across Saudi Arabia and internationally. With an emphasis on localization, innovation, and sustainability, Alfanar Projects continues to deliver world-class solutions that contribute to the Kingdom’s ambitious economic and social transformation.