SEDCO Capital and Wahed Launch Shariah-Compliant Real Estate

SEDCO Capital and Wahed Inc. Announced a strategic partnership on September 7, 2026, to launch a publicly offered, Shariah-compliant real estate investment suite focused on the Saudi Arabian cities of Makkah and Madinah. The partnership combines SEDCO Capital's local real estate expertise with Wahed's digital investment platform to broaden access for global investors. Prnewswire.com first reported the story.

The initiative is designed to provide eligible investors, including Wahed's base of 500,000 clients worldwide, with diversified exposure to professionally managed real estate assets in the Two Holy Cities. According to the companies, the fund will target properties serving residents, pilgrims, businesses, and visitors, channeling private capital into real assets that support Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 economic diversification ambitions.

A Fund Anchored in Vision 2030's Growth

Makkah and Madinah are central to Saudi Arabia's long-term development plans under Vision 2030. A key component, the Pilgrim Experience Program, aims to host 30 million Umrah pilgrims annually by 2030. Meeting this target requires extensive development across accommodation, hospitality, retail, residential property, and supporting infrastructure in both cities.

The new real estate investment suite is positioned as a Shariah-compliant vehicle to participate in this growth. The partnership also aligns with broader Vision 2030 objectives of attracting international investment, increasing private-sector participation, and deepening Saudi capital markets.

Democratizing Access to a Restricted Market

For individual overseas investors, direct investment in Makkah and Madinah real estate has traditionally been challenging. High entry costs, local market complexities, and a lack of professionally managed investment products have created significant barriers. The new fund is intended to narrow this gap by offering pooled exposure to a professionally selected portfolio, eliminating the need for investors to source and manage individual properties.

Wahed stated that the concept responds to persistent client demand from international markets for credible, Shariah-compliant access to Saudi real assets, particularly in the Two Holy Cities. The structure builds on the model of Wahed's existing U.S. Private real estate fund, which offers pooled exposure to U.S. Residential real estate with a minimum investment of $100.

Executive Commentary on the Partnership

Abdulwahhab Abed, Chief Executive Officer of SEDCO Capital, linked the initiative to the Kingdom's transformation. "Makkah and Madinah are at the heart of the Kingdom's most important transformations," Abed said. He noted that SEDCO Capital brings deep local real estate capability and a long history of managing capital in Saudi Arabia, aiming to connect that expertise with a broader investor audience through Wahed.

Mohsin Siddiqui, Chief Executive Officer of Wahed, highlighted the unmet demand from the firm's global clientele. "Over the years, one question has come up again and again from Wahed clients around the world: how can I invest in Makkah and Madinah?" Siddiqui stated. He explained that Wahed contributes its distribution network and digital platform to make professionally managed real estate more accessible to everyday investors.

The partnership brings together two substantial asset managers. SEDCO Capital, headquartered in Jeddah, oversees over $13.5 billion in assets under management. Wahed, headquartered in New York, has more than $2 billion in assets under management and administration across its global entities.