Recognizing a gap in the Ethiopian diaspora market, particularly among those who wish to invest in Dubai and use their investments to support their families back home, Stride Properties has positioned itself as one of the leading luxury real estate and transportation companies in the region. Its hallmark is providing clear and expert guidance at all stages of the investment process and guaranteeing its clients a high return on investment. “The key to our success is maintaining transparent and trusting relationships with our clients and ensuring that their investments are well managed and profitable,” says Ibrahim Kedir, CEO of Stride Properties.

On the real estate front, Stride Properties helps new and experienced investors navigate Dubai’s complex and ever-evolving market by providing off-plan guidance for Dubai residents, short- and long-term rentals, and mortgages. With impressive rental expertise, the firm assists clients from the initial phases of property acquisition through to financial advice to maximize passive rental income and asset management, often remotely, ensuring these luxury homes are actively rented through platforms such as Airbnb and Booking.com, rather than lying dormant. “Investors can manage transactions from anywhere in the world and receive full support, including bank accounts and residency visas. This approach maximizes revenue and adds value for our clients,” Kedir says confidently.

In terms of mortgages, the company is known for helping clients obtain low-interest loans and acquire financial assistance smoothly through its extensive network of partners. Although Stride Properties concentrates on luxury properties, it presents investors with a wide range of possibilities, with a minimum investment of AED 250,000 and no maximum cap. Its focus areas are Downtown and Business Bay, where it has sold more than 70 homes this year alone, mainly studios and one-bedroom apartments, with a particular focus on commercial properties. For residential investments, clients provide their budget and desired rates of return, which typically range from 8% to 11%, and the company works on commission, charging a flat 2% fee per transaction. This model guarantees profits for everyone, especially in view of Dubai’s rapid urban development, where iconic landmarks are continually being introduced, constantly appealing to foreign investors and driving up property values.

On the other hand, realizing the limitations of real estate investments, especially in terms of accessibility, and the need for more beginner-friendly solutions, Stride Properties shifted its focus to the transportation sector, specifically luxury limousines. By investing around 25% of the car’s value, after six months customers have access to a reliable monthly passive income ranging from AED 3,500 to 4,000 ($950), generated through car rental and transportation services managed in partnership with large companies such as Uber, Careem and Udango, the last of which has recently entered the competitive Dubai market. Although this revenue may vary seasonally, after four years the investment is recouped, and at the end of this period the customer becomes the rightful owner of the car, which is then shipped back to its country of origin. Moreover, it is not only customers and large companies that benefit from this system. For Stride Properties, drivers are also considered key partners, given the crucial role they play in its operations.

The company prioritizes hiring drivers from lower-income countries, as they tend to bring exceptional value, and they are compensated on a commission basis, earning 30% of their daily income, above the market average. “This structure aligns their success with that of the company and fosters a strong sense of ownership,” says Kedir.

Besides the obvious economic advantages having low-entry costs and high-returns mean for clients, drivers, and partner companies, Stride Properties’s model also contributes to environmental sustainability, as 80% of the company’s fleet consists of eco-friendly vehicles like Teslas. In addition, the company runs a charity called Kudambi, which supports elderly women and orphaned children in Ethiopia by helping them build homes and start small businesses, such as producing injera or soap, to foster their sustainability.

Going forward, Stride Properties will mainly focus on expanding its two core businesses. First, on the real estate side, it expects to sell 500 more properties in the next two years, and plans to enter the Saudi Arabian market, as foreigners will be allowed to buy property there starting in January. “I am hopeful that this will attract more Ethiopian expatriates,” says Kedir. As for the limousine sector, the company’s current fleet of more than 40 cars is expected to increase to 150 by December. And while its business expansion will continue to focus on the Gulf countries, it is also considering long-term investments in Ethiopia, once it has established a solid financial base.

Another important objective is to further connect the developing African market with the booming Middle Eastern economy and thus reshape the current investment landscape in Africa. “Our goal is to open trade routes and create opportunities for Ethiopian companies.

For example, I am helping an Ethiopian investor in Dubai to export beeswax, which is a service I provide pro-bono to support local entrepreneurs,” says Kedir, explaining that since the company’s inception, its main objective has been to generate foreign exchange for the Ethiopian market: ”We earn dollars in Dubai, and these funds are sent back to Ethiopia, where they help stabilize the local economy by supporting the purchase of essential goods such as oil, diapers and baby food.” In this way, the company is helping to improve Ethiopia’s limited access to foreign currency, a situation that has also begun to change thanks to a growing trend of Ethiopians living in their home country who earn foreign currency through remote or NGO work.

In the meantime, Stride Properties will continue to do what it does best, to generate reliable and profitable investment opportunities for its clients that not only benefit their private economies, but have a lasting effect on their home country. For example, as Kedir illustrates, “One client bought a house with me for $5-6 million and sold it for $30 million two years later. This successful investment allowed him to build a 20-story building in Addis Ababa, which had a significant impact on his family’s future.” Ultimately, Stride Properties’ entrepreneurial efforts are the perfect example of how the implementation of a global strategy can have a remarkably positive local impact, because at the end of the day, as Stride Properties’ CEO asserts, “Ethiopia is the ultimate beneficiary of all our efforts.”