Forbes Ranks Top 10 CEOs in the Gulf
Forbes has published a new ranking of the top 100 CEOs in the Middle East, highlighting the ten most prominent executives leading the Gulf’s largest corporations.
Ranking details
Aramco Saudi Arabia’s CEO, Amin Hassan Nasser, tops the list, followed by Sultan Al Jaber, CEO and Managing Director of ADNOCO, and Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and CEO of Emirates Airline. In fourth place is Nawaf Saud Al Sabah, Vice Chairman and CEO of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation. The ranking spans 29 sectors, with Banking & Finance leading at 30 companies, followed by Real Estate & Construction with eight.
Background and trends
Over the past year, regional firms have ramped up investments in artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, energy transition and advanced manufacturing. AI has moved from strategy to implementation, and sustainability is now a core business requirement. In 2025, Aramco announced plans to acquire a minority stake in AI firm Human, while IHC launched the AI‑powered “Gudan Financial” platform to manage assets worth $237 billion.
The list features 102 CEOs from 100 companies representing 21 nationalities, with Emiratis leading at 31, followed by Egyptians (15) and Saudis (13). These leaders are spread across eight countries, with 49 based in the UAE, 18 in Saudi Arabia and 11 in Qatar.
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