Meet The Infuential Leaders Running The Region’s Biggest Companies.
- 19 Emiratis, 16 Egyptians, and 15 Saudis represent 50% of the ranking.
- The 100 CEOs run companies that are collectively worth more than $5 trillion.
- Four of the top five leaders represent the energy sector.
- Heads of Saudi Aramco, ADNOC, and Emirates Group make up the top three spots.
Beirut, July 6, 2022: Forbes Middle East has released its second annual “Top CEOs in the Middle East” ranking, highlighting the C-suite executives making significant contributions to the region’s economies. Overall, the 100 listees managed revenues of over over $1 trillion in 2021. Their firms are currently collectively worth more than $5 trillion.
Topping the list is Saudi Aramco’s Amin H. Nasser, who led the company to become the world’s most valuable by market value again, surpassing Apple. ADNOC’s Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber placed second as the firm took three of its subsidiaries – ADNOC Drilling, Fertiglobe, and Borouge – public, with Borouge’s $2 billion IPO becoming Abu Dhabi’s largest-ever IPO. Rounding up the top three is Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Emirates Group. All three maintained their rankings for the second consecutive year.
The 2022 cohort represent leaders from 26 nationalities. Emiratis dominated with 19 entries, followed by Egyptians with 16, and Saudis with 15. Combined, these three groups make up 50% of the ranking. With 27 CEOs, banking and financial services is the most represented sector. Eight entrants work in telecom, and seven head energy and logistics companies. Four of the top five leaders work in energy.
To construct this ranking, Forbes Middle East assessed the size of the CEO’s company using various metrics, the individual’s accomplishments and innovations over the past year, and their impact on their firm and the wider industry.
Top 10 CEOs In The Middle East 2022
- Amin H. Nasser
Nationality: Saudi
President & CEO, Saudi Aramco
- Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber
Nationality: Emirati
Group CEO & Managing Director, ADNOC Group
- Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum
Nationality: Emirati
Chairman & CEO, Emirates Group
- Toufik Hakkar
Nationality: Algerian
Chairman & CEO, SONATRACH
- Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi
Nationality: Qatari
Deputy Chairman, President & CEO, QatarEnergy
- Akbar Al Baker
Nationality: Qatari
Group CEO, Qatar Airways Group
- Yousef Abdullah Al-Benyan
Nationality: Saudi
Vice-Chairman & CEO, SABIC
- Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem
Nationality: Emirati
Group Chairman & CEO, DP World
- Syed Basar Shueb
Nationality: Emirati
CEO & Managing Director, IHC
- Osama Rabie
Nationality: Egyptian
Chairman & Managing Director, Suez Canal Authority
| 26 Nationalities Represented | |||||
| Emirati | 19 | Lebanese | 3 | Egyptian-American | 1 |
| Egyptian | 16 | Canadian | 2 | French | 1 |
| Saudi | 15 | Jordanian | 2 | Italian | 1 |
| Qatari | 7 | Moroccan | 2 | Maltese | 1 |
| Kuwaiti | 6 | Algerian | 1 | Portuguese | 1 |
| British | 5 | American | 1 | Tunisian | 1 |
| Omani | 4 | Australian | 1 | Turkish | 1 |
| Bahraini | 3 | Danish | 1 | Sri lankan | 1 |
| Indian | 3 | Dominican | 1 |
Click here to view the complete Top 100 CEOs in the Middle East 2022 list.
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.