Abu Dhabi-based developer Eagle Hills has signed a $12 billion agreement to build a luxury island tourism hub in the Maldives. The project will unfold across multiple phases and will integrate tourism, residential, and commercial facilities including hotels, resorts, premium branded residences, a marina, retail, restaurants, entertainment, wellness, education, and healthcare services.
Eagle Hills’ Existing African Investments
Eagle Hills manages multiple developments in Africa, expanding its portfolio beyond the Maldives. The firm is developing Marassi Red Sea, a 2,426-acre coastal destination near Hurghada, Egypt, incorporating luxury hotels and residences. In Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, it is working on La Gare, a mixed-use project combining residential, commercial,
hospitality, retail, and leisure elements. In Morocco, Eagle Hills owns Tanja Waterfront in Tangier along with hospitality assets such as St. Regis La Bahia Blanca and Fairmont La Marina Rabat.
Maldives Tourism Growth Sets Stage
The deal coincides with record tourism numbers in the Maldives. The country recorded 2.25 million tourist arrivals in 2025, a 9.8% increase compared to 2024 and 32% above pre-pandemic 2019 levels. Tourism receipts rose 15.8% year-on-year to surpass $5.4 billion, underscoring the expanding scale of the Maldivian tourism industry targeted by Eagle Hills’ new development.
Project Significance and Environmental Measures
The Maldivian government has described the project as the largest investment program in the nation’s
history, expecting it to attract billions of dollars in foreign investment without government borrowing. Construction will occur entirely on reclaimed land, with no dredging by the developer, and independent marine monitoring will accompany the building process. The project aims to diversify the Maldives’ tourism-dependent economy by combining year-round commercial, residential, and hospitality activities.
