Top 100 CEOs 2026

The sixth annual Top 100 CEOs list for 2026 highlights 102 executives across 100 entries who are steering Middle East-headquartered companies through technological disruption, geopolitical uncertainty and evolving capital markets. The ranking includes CEOs from 21 nationalities, with Emiratis leading at 31, followed by Egyptians (15) and Saudis (13). Executives are based across eight countries in the region — 49 in the UAE, 18 in Saudi Arabia and 11 in Qatar — and span 29 sectors, with banking and financial services the largest single category at 30 entries.

"The role of the chief executive in the Middle East has expanded beyond traditional corporate leadership," the editors write, underscoring that CEOs in 2026 must combine financial performance with contributions to economic resilience and development.

Context and notable movements

Investment in AI, digital infrastructure, the energy transition and advanced manufacturing featured prominently in the assessment. The list cites several high-profile corporate moves over the past year: Saudi Aramco announced plans to acquire a minority stake in AI firm HUMAIN, while International Holding Company (IHC) launched Judan Financial, an AI-enabled platform now reported to manage nearly $237 billion in assets under management.

Regional M&A and cross-border expansion also shaped rankings. NMDC Infra acquired a 51% stake in Spain’s Lantania Aguas in January 2026, marking NMDC Group’s first entry into Europe. In a major banking transaction, Emirates NBD acquired a 60% majority stake in India’s RBL Bank in June 2026 via a primary capital infusion of approximately $2.75 billion. These deals, alongside corporate commitments to sustainability and AI adoption, helped elevate leaders of diversified groups and large financial institutions on the list.

• Rank 1: Amin H. Nasser — Saudi Aramco
• Rank 2: Sultan Al Jaber — ADNOC Group
• Rank 3: Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum — Emirates Airline & Group
• Rank 4: Nawaf Saud Al‑Sabah — Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC)
• Rank 5: Syed Basar Shueb — International Holding Company (IHC)
• Rank 6: Saad Sherida Al‑Kaabi — QatarEnergy
• Rank 7: Nasser Al Huqbani — Health Holding Company (HHC)
• Rank 8: Abdulla Mubarak Al‑Khalifa — QNB Group
• Rank 9: Waleed Abdullah Al‑Mogbel — alrajhi bank
• Rank 10: Dr. Aflah Al Hadhrami — Petroleum Development Oman (PDO)

The methodology combined questionnaires with stock market disclosures, industry and annual reports, financial statements and other primary sources. CEOs were evaluated on regional and market impact, tenure and experience, company size (revenues, assets, market cap), recent achievements and implemented innovations or initiatives.

Outlook

As AI moves from strategy to implementation and sustainability becomes a standard requirement, the profile of successful CEOs in the Middle East is shifting toward leaders who can deliver both operational results and broader economic contributions. Executives from banking and financial services remain prominent, but the inclusion of leaders from energy, real estate, advanced manufacturing and tech-focused firms signals a more diversified leadership landscape. Continued cross-border deals such as NMDC’s entry into Europe and Emirates NBD’s investment in India suggest regional CEOs will increasingly be judged on their ability to expand global footprints while navigating complex capital markets and geopolitical risks.