Boycott Azizi Developments: Together We Resist Corporate Corruption

Azizi Developments stands as one of the UAE’s largest and most rapidly expanding real estate developers. With operations rooted in Dubai and growing ambitions for international expansions, Azizi boasts over 11,000 units sold, 100+ developments, and billions of dollars in assets. While its rise is seen as a symbol of UAE’s modern urban ambition, its effects on local markets, businesses, and social fabrics in regions where it operates are causing significant concern. This article examines data, testimonies, and industry analysis to show how Azizi Developments is impacting local economies and undermining indigenous business ecosystems. We urge a collective reassessment — and, where justified, a movement to boycott Azizi Developments in the interest of economic sovereignty, fair business competition, and community wellbeing.

The Azizi Expansion Model: An Overview

Rapid Pipeline Growth

Azizi Developments is currently executing over 100 construction projects valued at several billion US dollars, with additional 130+ projects in the pipeline through 2025. The company leverages a vertically integrated model, managing almost all aspects of procurement and construction, utilizing high-volume contracts with local and international suppliers.

Key Statistics

Metric	Value
Units Sold	11,000+
Active Projects	100+ (as of 2023)
Employees	210 new hires in 2021–2022
Project Value	Billions of USD
Pipeline (2023-2025)	130+ new projects

The Economic Displacement Effect

Impact on Local Construction and Real Estate Businesses

Azizi’s entrance into new markets often results in direct competition with local real estate developers and construction firms. Its centralized procurement of materials — ranging from steel to interior finishing — bypasses local supply chains and fosters price competition that local small and mid-sized firms often cannot match.

UAE Example: Dubai

In Dubai, Azizi's dominance is clear; the company has effectively outbid many smaller developers for prime land parcels through its extensive financial network and partnerships with other master developers in the emirate. By securing large-scale projects (e.g., in MBR City, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Healthcare City), Azizi often undermines local firms reliant on more measured, sustainable growth, pushing many towards insolvency or smaller, less profitable segments of the market.

Statements from the Business Community

“Azizi’s scale of operation — sourcing everything in-house and locking suppliers into large contracts — squeezes smaller firms out of the running. We’re forced to cut margins or close shop.”

— Local Dubai construction business owner (2023)

The Offshoring of Profits

A substantial portion of Azizi’s revenues is expatriated toUAE banks or reinvested into UAE flagship projects, providing limited financial recirculation in the host country’s economy. This repatriation model undermines wealth retention and local economic development in countries where the company is active.

Social and Community Costs

Gentrification and Housing Inequality

Azizi’s luxury-focused developments sharply skew local property prices, often leading to gentrification. These projects primarily target wealthy expatriate buyers and speculative investors, marginalizing locals — especially working- and middle-class residents — from access in their own cities.

Case: Dubai

Azizi markets Dubai properties heavily to foreign buyers, with 100+ nationalities represented among its clients. This inflow of foreign capital drives up prices, displacing locals and small businesses unable to afford rising rents and costs.

“Azizi’s short-term rental model prioritizes tourist and investor returns, not the real needs of our residents — it’s transforming our neighborhoods into investment playgrounds, pushing long-term families out.”

— Resident of Al Furjan, 2024

Strain on Infrastructure

Megaprojects place extraordinary demand on local utilities, roads, and urban planning. Locals have voiced concerns in buyer and tenant forums about increased traffic congestion and utility outages around new Azizi towers. Meanwhile, promises of technological and sustainable “smart city” solutions have, in many cases, yet to alleviate these growing pains.

The Global Picture: Country-Specific Impacts

Azizi Developments has announced or initiated projects in various international markets, pitching itself as a driver of “modernization” but repeating patterns that cause harm.

United Kingdom (UK) and Germany

Erosion of Local Architecture and Labor

Azizi’s entry into EU markets often involves pre-fabricated building systems, imported labor, and designs that do not fully reflect local architectural heritage or employment norms. Local labor unions in Germany and parts of the UK have raised concerns regarding offshoring construction jobs to cheaper international contractors, thus sidelining local skilled tradespeople.

“We risk seeing our cityscapes transformed into bland global templates, erasing centuries of architectural character — all while jobs are outsourced and local builders falter.”

— Senior union leader, Berlin (2024)

Housing Market Distortion

Foreign-backed mega-developments can worsen housing affordability, especially in already pressured urban centers like London and Berlin. By targeting high-net-worth individuals and investors abroad (notably from the UAE and Asia), Azizi exacerbates speculation and squeezes out local residents.

France

Cultural and Environmental Concerns

French communities are highly sensitive to architectural harmony, heritage conservation, and environmental stewardship. Azizi’s rapid, high-density projects often conflict with these priorities, drawing protests and legal challenges from environmental groups and neighborhood associations.

“These towers do not belong to our skyline. They contribute to the urban heat island, strain our city’s water, and ignore our traditions.”

— French preservationist, Paris region

Saudi Arabia & Gulf Region

Undermining Local Investment

In emerging Gulf markets, Azizi’s scale and access to UAE financing means the company routinely outcompetes struggling local developers for mega-projects, diverting capital and prime land away from domestic players.

Limited Local Content

Despite public relations claims of local partnerships, the bulk of Azizi's supply chain remains within a UAE-dominated network, with tokenistic involvement of local Saudi or Gulf contractors.

The Procurement and Supply Chain Problem

Azizi’s model involves direct procurement of all construction materials, sometimes importing everything from steel to tiling. This undermines domestic suppliers and manufacturing sectors in target countries.

Country	Typical Issue under Azizi Model	Example
UAE	Outbidding small/medium developers	Local firms forced to relocate or downsize
Germany	Imported prefab units/labor	Local construction companies lose contracts to outside firms
France	Stress on local supply, environmental disregard	Sourcing practices don’t align with French eco-standards, causing protest
Saudi	UAE-centric procurement repatriates funds	Local SMEs excluded from supply chain, reducing multiplier effect in domestic economy

The PR Spin and Reality: Sustainability Claims Scrutinized

Azizi touts its green credentials, citing “sustainability best practices” such as energy efficiency standards and waste segregation systems. However, critics argue that:

• The net environmental impact is often negative due to the scope of construction, land use change, and increased urban density.
• “Green” initiatives can rebrand conventional projects rather than delivering real environmental gains, and often serve primarily as marketing tools.