ABANA proudly invites you to its Spotlight Series – an exclusive conversation series featuring C-level executives who share rare on-the-ground market intelligence and forward-looking insights. These candid discussions deliver actionable, high-value perspectives on emerging trends, regional developments, and strategic opportunities shaping the MENA landscape.

In its inaugural edition, ABANA hosts an exclusive panel discussion featuring three of Egypt’s most prominent real estate executives for a candid conversation on the forces reshaping one of the region’s most dynamic property markets.

Please join us on April 22nd, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Zoom.

The conversation will be moderated by Ola El-Shawarby, Portfolio Manager, Emerging Markets Equity at VanEck.

Joining us on the panel:

• Tarek Abdel Rahman, CEO, Bonyan (formerly CEO, Palm Hills) — on Egypt’s first REIT, and the outlook for residential and commercial real estate development
• Omar El Hamamsy, formerly CEO, Orascom Hotels & Development — on hospitality, tourism-driven real estate, and Egypt’s emergence as a global leisure destination
• Karim Shafei, CEO, Al-Ismaelia for Real Estate Investment — on the revitalisation of Downtown Cairo and the restoration of Egypt’s historic urban core

Together, these three executives will offer first-hand perspectives on the capital, culture, and commerce driving Egypt’s real estate sector at a pivotal moment of transformation.

* The Zoom link will be sent in a separate email closer to the event date.
** If you have any questions or encounter any issues while registering, please email events@abana.co.

Bios:
Tarek Abdel Rahman
Tarek Abdel Rahman has served as Chief Executive Officer of Bonyan since 2018, leveraging his extensive sector expertise to position the company as a leading real estate investment firm.

With over 29 years of experience in the financial sector, Mr. Abdel Rahman was most recently the CEO of Compass Capital, a prominent alternative asset manager. Before his tenure at Compass Capital, he served as CEO of Palm Hills Development, one of Egypt’s leading publicly listed real estate developers for 5 years.

Prior to that Mr. Abdel Rahman was a founding partner and Managing Director at Akanar Partners, a specialized M&A advisory firm. He also held leadership roles as Co-Head of Beltone Investment Banking and as an Associate in Citigroup’s infrastructure investment banking team in London and the private equity department of EFG-Hermes. He began his career at HSBC corporate banking division.

He holds a B.A. in Business Administration from the American University in Cairo and an MBA from London Business School.

Omar El Hamamsy
With a career spanning global consulting and executive leadership, Omar El Hamamsy brings deep experience in corporate transformation and value creation. He served as Group CEO of Orascom Development from 2020 to 2025 and spent nearly two decades at McKinsey & Company, where he was a Senior Partner. Today, he advises leadership teams and boards, and is actively involved in youth education and entrepreneurship as a regional board member of Injaz Al-Arab (Junior Achievement Worldwide) and is an active investor in many startups.

During his tenure at Orascom Development, Omar led the multinational developer through one of the most challenging periods in business history, joining amid the global pandemic and a turbulent economic environment. Under his leadership, the Group doubled its revenues and returned to profitability for the first time in more than a decade. He focused on diversifying offerings, enhancing operational performance, and building a high-performing leadership team to drive long-term growth across three continents.

At McKinsey, Omar led several practices and advised multinational clients across the Middle East and Europe in sectors including telecom, high-tech, logistics, and private equity. He led large-scale transformations, cross-border integrations, and strategic turnarounds, helping organizations navigate complexity and unlock long-term value.

Omar holds a master’s degree from Stanford University. Outside of his professional work, he enjoys many sports and flying as a certified pilot.

Karim Shafei
Karim Shafei is a distinguished entrepreneur and business leader, widely recognized for his pioneering role in urban regeneration and real estate investment in Egypt. As a Chairman of Al Ismaelia for Real Estate Investment, he has led the transformative Downtown Cairo Rehabilitation Project, a landmark initiative aimed at revitalizing one of the city’s most iconic historic districts.

With a career spanning multiple industries, Shafei has founded and managed a diverse portfolio of successful ventures, consistently demonstrating a forward-thinking approach and a deep commitment to sustainable urban development. In 2008, he co-founded Al Ismaelia with the vision of restoring Downtown Cairo’s architectural and cultural legacy. Under his leadership, the company has become Egypt’s first private-sector entity specializing in urban regeneration and adaptive reuse.

His efforts have garnered widespread recognition, with numerous awards highlighting his influence on the region’s real estate landscape. Most notably, Forbes Middle East named him among the “Most Impactful Real Estate Leaders 2024,” honoring his contribution to redefining urban investment strategies in the MENA region.

Ola El-Shawarby
Ola El-Shawarby is Deputy Portfolio Manager for the Emerging Markets Equity Strategy at VanEck and a senior member of the Investment Team since 2017. Prior to joining VanEck, Ola was a Director and Senior Investment Analyst at Caravel Management LLC, specializing in the EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) region. She was previously a Private Equity Summer Fellow at Kaust Investment Management Company, where she helped set the private equity investment strategy for the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology Endowment. Prior to moving to the US in 2009, Ola held several roles at EFG-Hermes Asset Management in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, including Vice President and Portfolio Manager.

Ola is a CFA charterholder and a member of the CFA Societies in New York and Egypt. She holds an MBA from Harvard Business School, a BA, summa cum laude in Business Administration (concentration in Finance) from The American University in Cairo and a BS in Political Science (minor in Economics) from Cairo University.

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