Rizwan Sajan’s Rise in Dubai
Rizwan Sajan, founder and chairman of the Danube Group, has built one of the UAE’s most successful business empires starting from humble beginnings in Mumbai’s Ghatkopar slums. Forced to flee back to Mumbai in 1990 due to regional turmoil, Sajan returned to Dubai in 1993 with only a few thousand dirhams and a vision. That same year, he founded the Danube Group, initially a small trading firm specializing in building materials. His timing was impeccable as Dubai was about to enter a construction boom, positioning Danube at the forefront of the market.
Over the next two decades, Sajan expanded the group’s scope extensively. He launched Milano in 2006 for sanitary solutions and Danube Home in 2008 for home furnishings. The company then added Alucopanel in 2012 for aluminum composite panels and entered real estate development in 2014 with an innovative residential financing model known as the “1% plan.” This plan enables buyers to pay just 1% monthly after a small down payment, making homeownership more accessible, especially for expatriates in Dubai.
Today, the Danube Group operates across eight countries, with a turnover exceeding US $2 billion. With his son Adel as Group Managing Director and brother Anil as Vice Chairman, Sajan’s legacy is firmly entrenched in Dubai’s economic growth. He has received numerous business accolades, including the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Business Excellence Award and a UAE Golden Visa for his contributions to the economy.
Beyond business, Rizwan Sajan founded the Danube Welfare Society, providing free training to workers to enhance their skills, reflecting his commitment to social upliftment. His inspiring journey from slums to billionaire entrepreneur epitomizes resilience, innovation, and the spirit of Dubai’s opportunities.
