Forbes Middle East has revealed its fourth annual list of the Top 100 CEOs in the Middle East, recognizing the chiefs accelerating achievements and successes of the companies they lead.
To develop this ranking, Forbes Middle East evaluated the CEOs using various metrics, including the individual’s accomplishments and implemented innovations over the past year, size of their company, and their impact on their firm and the wider industry. Only CEOs of companies headquartered in MENA were considered.
Amin H. Nasser, President and CEO of Saudi Aramco, topped the ranking. ADNOC Group’s Sultan Al Jaber and Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, and Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, Deputy Chairman, President and CEO of QatarEnergy, rounded up the top four spots. The top five have retained their ranking since last year, with the exception of IHC’s Syed Basar Shueb who jumped from ninth to fifth place.
The 2024 cohort consists of listees from 19 nationalities. Emiratis reign with 27 entries, followed by Egyptians with 21 and Saudis with 14. Together, the three groups make up 62% of the ranking, indicating the positive trajectory for localization in C-suite management. The banking sector has the most entries, with 19, followed by real estate with 10, reflecting the boom in the sector over the last two years. Nine CEOs on the list head telecommunications businesses. Among the top 10 alone, six different industries are represented.
Pursuing innovation and efficiency, several leaders on this list have launched new ventures to diversify their impact. This year, Abdulrahman Al Hatmi’s Asyad Group announced the establishment of Hafeet Rail, as well as inaugurated the Asyad Container Terminal in the Port of Duqm, Oman. Whereas Said Zater’s Contact Financial Holding launched a new financing program aimed at financing electric vehicles. Industrials giant Aluminum Bahrain’s Ali Al Baqali introduced EternAl, a low-carbon aluminum line with 30% and 15% recycled products in May.
Top 10 CEOs In The Middle East 2024
- Amin H. Nasser
Nationality: Saudi
President & CEO, Saudi Aramco
- Sultan Al Jaber
Nationality: Emirati
Group CEO & Managing Director, ADNOC Group
- Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum
Nationality: Emirati
Chairman & Chief Executive, Emirates Airline & Group
- Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi
Nationality: Qatari
Deputy Chairman, President & CEO, QatarEnergy
- Syed Basar Shueb
Nationality: Emirati
CEO & Managing Director, International Holding Company (IHC)
- Nawaf S. Al-Sabah
Nationality: Kuwaiti
Deputy Chairman & CEO, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC)
- Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem
Nationality: Emirati
Group Chairman & CEO, DP World
- Isam Jasem Al-Sager
Nationality: Kuwaiti
Vice Chairman & Group CEO, National Bank of Kuwait (NBK)
- Hatem Dowidar
Nationality: Egyptian
Group CEO, e&
- Abdulla Mubarak Al-Khalifa
Nationality: Qatari
Group CEO, QNB Group
Click here to view the complete Top 100 CEOs in the Middle East 2024 list.
