PHOTO
Meet The Region’s Most Inspiring Young Gamechangers
- The list features six categories: sport, e-commerce, technology, finance, creative, and impact.
- The 2021 cohort comprises residents of 11 MENA countries, representing 20 nationalities.
- The UAE dominates the list, with 12 out of 30 residing in the emirates.
Dubai: Forbes Middle East has released its latest list of MENA’s most promising young talent and brightest minds under the age of 30 as of December 31, 2020.
This year’s high-achieving cohort covers six categories: sport, e-commerce, technology, finance, creative, and impact. The impact category had the highest number of entries, recognizing seven individuals in policy, education, healthcare, and social entrepreneurship. Sport came second with six entries, followed by creative with five.
The Class of 2021 is a diverse bunch. Some of them, like Youssef Salem, CFO of SWVL, are at the forefront of regional firsts. SWVL announced a $1.5 billion merger with Queen’s Gambit in July 2021, making it the first unicorn from the Middle East to list on Nasdaq. Others, like Tunisian swimmer Ahmed Hafnaoui, are bringing global fame to their home turf. The 19-year-old recently won the gold medal for the 400m men’s freestyle competition at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Still, the youngest person on the list is 18-year-old Issam Alnajjar. The Jordanian singer-songwriter’s hit song “Hadal Ahbek” has been watched more than 87 million times on YouTube, and his TikTok hashtag #hadal_ahbek has reached over 500 million views.
To create this list, the Forbes Middle East team first evaluated over 300 applications over two rounds of assessments. A shortlist of 60 candidates were then considered by external independent judges, all experts in their respective fields: Caspar Herzberg, President for the Middle East and Africa at Schneider Electric; Elie Habib, Co-founder and CTO at Anghami; Farah Foustouk, CEO for the Middle East at Lazard Gulf Ltd; Luma Fawaz, CEO of Oasis 500; Ronaldo Mouchawar, Vice President for Amazon in MENA; Sherif Bishara, Group CEO of the Mohamed & Obaid Almulla Group; and Yuri Misnik, Group CTO at the First Abu Dhabi Bank. With the judges’ feedback, Forbes Middle East confirmed its final 30.
Factors like candidates’ impact on their industry, society, and future potential were considered, as well as quantifiable data such as funds raised, awards won, revenues, the value of deals, number of people impacted, number of customers, and number of social media followers.
To be eligible for the 30 Under 30 list, applicants had to have been under 30 years old on December 31, 2020, meaning that anybody born in 1991 or later was eligible to be on the list. Candidates could have any nationality but had to be residing in the Middle East. If one business had two or more under 30 co-founders, they were counted as one entry.
The final list comprises 38 individuals representing 20 nationalities. They are based across 11 countries in the Middle East. Egypt has the highest representation on the list with eight individuals, followed by Lebanon and Jordan with four each. Of the 30 entries, 12 are based in the U.A.E., and four are in Egypt.
Forbes Middle East 30 Under 30 2021: Residence Breakdown | |||||
U.A.E. | 12 | Tunisia | 2 | Morocco | 1 |
Egypt | 4 | Bahrain | 1 | Saudi Arabia | 1 |
Lebanon | 3 | Jordan | 1 | Syria | 1 |
Qatar | 3 | Kuwait | 1 |
|
|
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
Juweyria Hersi,
hersi@forbesmiddleeast.com
© Press Release 2021
Disclaimer: The contents of this press release was provided from an external third party provider. This website is not responsible for, and does not control, such external content. This content is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis and has not been edited in any way. Neither this website nor our affiliates guarantee the accuracy of or endorse the views or opinions expressed in this press release.
The press release is provided for informational purposes only. The content does not provide tax, legal or investment advice or opinion regarding the suitability, value or profitability of any particular security, portfolio or investment strategy. Neither this website nor our affiliates shall be liable for any errors or inaccuracies in the content, or for any actions taken by you in reliance thereon. You expressly agree that your use of the information within this article is at your sole risk.
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, this website, its parent company, its subsidiaries, its affiliates and the respective shareholders, directors, officers, employees, agents, advertisers, content providers and licensors will not be liable (jointly or severally) to you for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, incidental, punitive or exemplary damages, including without limitation, lost profits, lost savings and lost revenues, whether in negligence, tort, contract or any other theory of liability, even if the parties have been advised of the possibility or could have foreseen any such damages.
