Ahmed Samerai

Ahmed Samerai (born 1969) is an Iraqi entrepreneur and founder of The SAHARA Group. According to Arabian Business is "one of the leading public relations firms in the Middle East," particularly for properties.
An economist, Samerai has written about a number of business and geopolitical topics in publications such as Gulf News and Khaleej Times, and is periodically interviewed as an expert by Al Jazeera and Al Arabia.
He is also known for his charitable work, including the creation of the Al Samerai Foundation, and for sponsoring a number of football events in the United Kingdom. In January 2012 he was named as one of the most admired executives of the Arab States of the Persian Gulf by Arabian Business Magazine. In 2016, he was awarded the CEO of the Middle East by CEO Magazine.

Samerai founded The SAHARA Group. SAHARA Communications, the group's media arm, is according to Arabian Business is "one of the leading public relations firms in the Middle East. Gulf News featured his inspiring work in Uganda and called it Giving the gift of mobility.

Since its establishment in 2002, the SAHARA Group has expanded in size and scope, and been involved in various aspects of business, such as hospitality, business management and media advisory which has helped the Group to become widely recognised as a dynamic and trustworthy organisation.

He also sits on the board of various companies including Tanmiyat Partners (part of the Saudi Tanmiyat Group) and Ajman Marina, the $2bn community project in the emirate of Ajman, UAE. He is also the chairman of Sahara Hospitality, a series of luxury apartments in Dubai's Burj Khalifa building, which is the tallest man-made structure in the world.

In January 2012 he was named as one of the most admired executives of the Arab States of the Persian Gulf by Arabian Business Magazine.

In May 2014 he was listed on the top of Gulf Business Magazine coming Arab leaders to watch during 2014.

In 2015, during an interview with the Middle East Magazine, he criticized the development of philanthropy in the Middle East region, and said “Unfortunately, rather than it growing or developing, I see its direction becoming ever more confusing”. Which created a widely debate among the philanthropist cycles as they consider him as one of the bright lights in the dark tunnels the Middle East region is going through.

Samerai was appointed as the economic advisor in 2006 to Shuaa Capital, and has been quoted as an expert on economic and business issues by Gulf News and the Dubai-based Khaleej Times.

He is frequently interviewed as an expert by Al Jazeera and Al Arabia.

He also sit on many advisory board, including NOG's

Headed by Dr Ahmed Samerai, the aim of the foundation is simple: to help the disadvantaged in the areas of health, education and children.

The Samerai Foundation has already supported many initiatives around the world, and abides by a single firm principle when reviewing and recommending proposals:

“Do not look at the race or the religion of the beneficiary – just the need. People are equal, they all have one heart and two eyes, so if you reach out to those in need, they will look back to you with warmth and love, regardless of where they are from.” Dr Samerai said in an interview.

The Samerai Foundation is heavily involved with UAE-based charity Friends of Cancer Patients Society (FOCP), which offers support and advice to local cancer victims and their families.In the last few years, the Samerai Foundation has sponsored various services for FOCP, accumulating to a total amount of around US$400,000.

In partnership with global charity Bicycles For Humanity, the Ahmed Samerai and Ben Stiller Foundation donated the shipment of 1,500 bicycles to Uganda in 2013.

The foundation sponsored Larry King’s Save Our Gulf campaign, the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights, cancer-related charities and students from the Middle East studying overseas. He is also the largest single contributor to the Friends of Cancer Patients non-profit organization, having given $400,000. He's also contributed to Help for Heroes.

In April 2015, he hosted one of the largest Easter events for children living in the Kibera Slum which is the largest in Africa, where more than 350 children gathered for a full day program and performed by Octopizzo. The host included the two weeks Easter brake program where children received free meals, free education and hobbies programs.