$817 million megagift from former Afghan refugee, American University pioneer Mirwais Azizi to a non-profit cancer hospital and research center

Mirwais Azizi, Chairman of Azizi Group, has committed $817 million to the Fathers’ Endowment campaign initiated by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai.

The donation will support the construction of a non-profit cancer hospital and research center in Dubai, providing free treatment to patients.

The project honors Azizi’s late daughter, Farishta Azizi, who died from cancer.

Construction is scheduled to begin this year, with future plans to establish similar hospitals around the world.

Azizi, born in Laghman Province, Afghanistan in 1962, studied law at Kabul University before leaving the country in 1988 due to conflict.

After early ventures in Uzbekistan’s textile industry, he expanded into tobacco, oil, and gas.

In 2006, he founded Azizi Bank, now Afghanistan’s largest commercial bank.

A year later, he launched Azizi Developments in Dubai, which has grown into a major real estate firm with a portfolio exceeding AED 45 billion and more than 200 ongoing projects.

Beyond business, Azizi is known for his philanthropic support of education and healthcare. He is a major supporter of the American University of Afghanistan (AUAF), which was established in 2006 to offer American-style education in the region. His contributions reflect a broader commitment to global development and social welfare.

Mirwais Azizi is a former Afghan refugee.

He fled Afghanistan in 1988 during the Afghan-Soviet war due to the country’s instability and uncertain future.

After leaving, he initially settled in Uzbekistan before building a successful business empire, eventually becoming one of the wealthiest entrepreneurs in the UAE and earning the nickname “Ambani of Afghanistan”.

Mirwais Azizi is closely connected to the American University of Afghanistan.

He played a significant role in its establishment by opening the university in Kabul and arranging its first board meeting in Dubai.

AUAF is recognized as the first non-profit higher education institution in Afghanistan, and Azizi has also served on its board of trustees.