• Emiratis lead with 27 entries, followed by 21 Egyptians and 14 Saudis.
  • Executives in the banking sector dominate with 19 entries.
  • Heads of Saudi Aramco, ADNOC, and Emirates Group retain their top three spots.

Dubai, U.A.E. –  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.

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About Forbes Middle East

Forbes Middle East is a licensed edition of Forbes for the Arab world, championing inspiring business journalism and entrepreneurial capitalism. Its online and social platforms break news covering billionaires, business, investment, technology, economy, entrepreneurship, leadership, and luxury lifestyles. The monthly magazine, featuring in-depth interviews with the Middle East’s most influential and innovative leaders, is published in print in English and Arabic, with digital versions available to both regional and global audiences online. Forbes Middle East extends the Forbes brand of journalism across the Arab world, conducting its own comprehensive research to publish original lists that adhere to strict methodologies. Its content attracts business leaders, investors, active and potential entrepreneurs, and a wide audience of ambitious and influential executives.

Media contact: Basma Aly Sadek: basma@forbesmiddleeast.com