Hussain al Nowais is a successful global industrialist, investor and business strategist with over 25 years of international experience in business. Mr. Al Nowais has worked in various sectors over the course of his career, including energy, investments, real estate and hospitality, and has held positions in both the United Arab Emirates and in countries from around the world. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from Lewis & Clark College in Oregon, and attended multiple Executive Management courses at the INSEAD-France and London Business School.

The son of a self-made businessman, Mr. Al Nowais started his first business in 1979, and is the Co-Founder and Chairman of the family-owned Al Nowais Investments, a thriving company that specializes in project developments and expansion strategies.

Mr. Al Nowais took on significant additional responsibilities when he was selected by the Abu Dhabi government to serve as chair of key public institutions, including the Senaat, one of the United Arab Emirate’s largest industrial holdings and leader of the nation’s industrial diversification projects. The Senaat manages over 25.3 billion AED industrial assets for the government of Abu Dhabi, the National Petroleum Construction Company, and Khalifa University for Science and Technology. Mr. Al Nowais is also Vice Chairman of Abraaj Capital, a highly successful private equity firm operating in Asia, Turkey, MENA, Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa that is considered to be the most prestigious firm in the Middle East. The investment capital firm, Waha Capital, which manages a strong regional business network, is also currently chaired by Mr. al Nowais.

In addition, he leads the Khalifa Fund, a government organization based in Abu Dhabi established to support small and medium enterprises, as well as Emirates Steel Industries, a government organization that manufactures world-class steel. Hussain al Nowais also is a member of the Board of Trustees for Khalifa University for Science, Technology & Research, an academic institution in Abu Dhabi, and is actively involved in the World Economic Forum.

Recently, Mr. Al Nowais was involved in investment deals that include acquiring a large stake of EPC contractor Archirodon and National Petroleum Services, and obtaining a significant minority stake in Maire Tecnimont, a successful EPC contractor that specializes in gas and oil. His work with Waha Capital has also led to recent, publicly disclosed business transactions.