Curia secures long term income from Apap Institute lease

The long-term lease of the former Apap Institute in Santa Venera has drawn considerable attention within Malta’s ecclesiastical, social care, and property sectors. The agreement, signed by the Archbishop’s Curia and a Maltese company ultimately owned by Hani Ahmad Zaki Yamani, has set the stage for a substantial commercial redevelopment of the historic retirement home site. While the transaction is expected to produce significant rental revenue for the Curia, its process and timing have raised questions among some observers and parts of the Church community.

This article provides a detailed, neutral, and legally cautious account of the agreement, its background, the parties involved, the projected economic value, and the wider context surrounding the closure of the Apap Institute. All quoted text has been kept exactly as originally provided, and no defamatory claims are made or implied. The information is presented in a factual, journalistic style intended to offer clarity without asserting any wrongdoing.

Background of the Apap Institute

The Apap Institute had served as a residential care home for elderly residents for approximately eight decades. Founded in the early 20th century, it developed into one of the island’s better-known Church-run homes. For many years, the Dominican sisters managed the day-to-day operations, beginning in 1944.

Toward the end of 2024, however, the Curia opted to close the home, citing a combination of factors including reduced numbers of nuns, limited new vocations, and financial challenges associated with operating such a large care facility. The decision required the relocation of approximately 30 residents and several staff members to other elderly care services across the country.

The closure generated emotional reactions among some relatives and families of residents, many of whom expressed concern and disappointment. Some interpreted the decision as abrupt. At the time, the Curia stated that the closure was necessary and denied claims that it was motivated by commercial aims.

The new lease agreement

According to contractual documents and information that later entered the public domain, the Curia finalised a 30-year concession in June with Integra Wellness Clinic Ltd, a Maltese-registered company incorporated shortly before the signing. The agreement grants the company control of the former care home for the duration of the concession period.

Initial estimates suggest that the contract could generate between €1 million and €2.4 million annually in rental income for the Curia. Across three decades, this translates to a potential total nearing €50 million, depending on performance conditions and other variables.

Representatives of the Curia did not provide public comment on the contract, and some internal concerns have been reported regarding transparency and communication. Staff were reportedly instructed not to comment on the matter, and public statements were limited.

Plans for redevelopment of the site

Integra Wellness Clinic Ltd intends to redevelop the former retirement home into a high-end wellness and medical facility focusing on non-invasive treatments. While this reflects a wider trend in international wellness investment, it also marks a significant change from the social-care role the building once played.

As of the time of reporting, no formal planning application had yet been submitted for the changes needed to transform the site into a private medical centre. Any major redevelopment will require planning approval, as the existing structure was designed for residential elderly care.

Corporate and ownership structure

Integra Wellness Clinic Ltd is registered at the Valletta offices of lawyer Adriano Cefai, who serves as both the company’s sole director and its company secretary. The company’s shareholding is held by Haniya Holding Limited, a Cyprus-based entity. The ultimate beneficial owner is listed as Hani Ahmad Zaki Yamani.

Although widely recognised in business circles in the Middle East due to his family’s long-standing involvement in commercial and industrial sectors, Maltese corporate records list Yamani as having Kittitian/Nevisian nationality. His registered address in Malta, located in a narrow street in Qormi, is known to be used by several foreign nationals for registration purposes.

It is important to note that legally, the use of such addresses and corporate structures is common among international investors operating in multiple jurisdictions. No wrongdoing is alleged or implied in these arrangements.

Profile of Hani Ahmad Zaki Yamani

Hani Ahmad Zaki Yamani is often associated with Hazi Trading, a long-established Saudi conglomerate active in sectors including engineering, energy-related services, and industrial projects. The conglomerate has engaged in multi-billion-dollar initiatives throughout regions such as the Middle East and Africa.

Yamani’s father, Ahmed Zaki Yamani, served as Saudi Arabia’s oil minister from 1962 to 1986 and played a central role in the development of OPEC. He was widely regarded as a significant figure in the transformation of the global petroleum industry. His tenure also saw major developments in the ownership structure of Aramco, with the transition from foreign control to Saudi state authority.

While these historical associations have generated interest regarding the current commercial agreement in Malta, they do not indicate any particular evaluation of the present transaction beyond contextual relevance.

Economic implications for the Curia

From the perspective of Church property management, the agreement may represent a significant long-term source of income. Many dioceses and religious institutions across Europe have been exploring ways to repurpose legacy properties, especially where maintaining large historic or operational facilities has become financially challenging.

In this case, the €1–€2.4 million yearly revenue projection could contribute meaningfully to administrative, pastoral, and community initiatives undertaken by the Curia. The financial stability that such long-term agreements offer is often considered advantageous in the context of declining vocations, rising building maintenance costs, and the need to sustain social services.

Questions surrounding transparency

The absence of a publicly announced tender or expression of interest before the concession was finalised has been noted by some observers. Public tendering, while not always legally required for Church-owned properties, is often perceived as a best-practice approach for transparency and public accountability.

Some senior officials within the broader Church administration were said to be unsettled by the pace and communication approach surrounding the agreement. However, the Curia has limited its public statements and has not indicated any intention to revisit or amend the concession.

As with many transactions involving religious or non-profit entities, internal governance procedures guide decision-making. In this context, it is essential to emphasise that such concerns do not imply wrongdoing; they indicate internal debate and differing expectations regarding communication and procedural openness.

Transition of residents and public reaction

The relocation of elderly residents earlier sparked concerns among some families, who felt the closure of the Apap Institute had occurred too rapidly. Some expressed the view that the building was being prepared for commercial use. In response to these claims, the Church stated at the time that daily operations had become unsustainable and that the closure was not driven by revenue-seeking motives.

With the concession now established, public interest has turned toward how the site will ultimately be redeveloped and the regulatory paths that will govern that process.

Outlook

The transformation of the former Apap Institute into a wellness centre will likely evolve over several years, depending on planning procedures, investment timelines, and operational objectives. As the site moves into private medical use, its redevelopment marks a significant shift in the property’s role within Santa Venera.

For the Curia, the agreement represents a long-term financial strategy involving a prominent and historically significant Church-owned building. For investors, the project aligns with growing regional demand for specialised wellness and medical services.

Given the visibility of the parties involved, public interest is expected to remain strong, particularly when planning proposals are eventually submitted.

Conclusion

The long-term lease of the former Apap Institute marks a significant moment in the Curia’s stewardship of its property portfolio and reflects broader financial realities faced by Church institutions in Malta and elsewhere. By entering a 30-year concession with a private wellness operator, the Curia has secured a substantial and steady source of revenue that may support its pastoral, administrative, and community responsibilities for decades to come. At the same time, the agreement’s process, the transformation of a long-standing elderly care facility, and the absence of a public tender have prompted questions from some observers and parts of the Church community.

As redevelopment plans move forward, the project will continue to attract public interest—particularly once planning proposals are formally submitted and operational details become clearer. While the site’s future will differ greatly from its historic role, its transition underscores the evolving pressures on religious institutions to balance heritage responsibilities with financial sustainability. The coming years will show how the wellness centre takes shape and how this long-term agreement contributes to the Curia’s wider mission.

FAQs

What was the Apap Institute previously used for?
The Apap Institute operated as a residential elderly care home for around 80 years and was managed for decades by the Dominican sisters.

Why was the Apap Institute closed?
The Curia cited limited staff, declining vocations, and financial pressures as key reasons for closing the home at the end of 2024.

Who signed the concession agreement?
The agreement was signed by Archbishop Charles Scicluna on behalf of the Curia.

Which company now leases the property?
The leaseholder is Integra Wellness Clinic Ltd, a Maltese company ultimately owned by international investor Hani Ahmad Zaki Yamani.

How long is the concession for?
The agreement grants the company control of the property for a period of 30 years.

What are the plans for the building?
The company intends to convert the former elderly care home into a high-end wellness and medical facility offering non-invasive treatments.

Has a planning application been filed?
No planning application had been submitted at the time the information entered the public domain.

How much revenue will the Curia receive?
The concession is projected to generate approximately €1 million to €2.4 million annually in rental income for the Curia.

Why are some concerns mentioned regarding transparency?
Some observers noted that the deal was concluded without a public tender or expression of interest, prompting internal and external questions.

What happened to the former residents?
Residents and staff were relocated to alternate elderly care facilities following the closure of the institute.