Most of the top family-owned businesses in the Middle East either started off as dealers, agents, or distributors for international companies, with the most successful enterprises evolving by adding more services and sectors to their portfolios. However, recently more family businesses seem to be looking to access the region’s stock exchanges for growth. In our 2023 list of the Top 100 Arab Family Businesses, over 60% are major shareholders in a company listed on a regional stock exchange. Most of these listed companies’ family businesses were among the founding shareholders. These listings not only bring in capital but allow family members to unlock value, as well as improve transparency and governance.
While there are now female board members in most family businesses in the Middle East, almost all the heads are still men. Only four of the top 100 family businesses have women leaders. Most of the companies on our list have stood the test of time, with six of the entries established in the 1800s.
Saudi Arabia dominates with 33 entries and is home to four of the top 10 companies. The U.A.E. comes in close second place with 29 entries, followed by Egypt with nine, and Qatar with eight. Family businesses have also begun investing in startups, with the Mansour and Abdel Latif Jameel families investing in global startups. The Tamer Group acquired Mumzworld, a childcare e-commerce company, in 2021.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة August 2023 من Forbes Middle East - English.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة August 2023 من Forbes Middle East - English.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
TOP 20 ARAB WOMEN IN GOVERNMENT
Our first list of 20 Arab Women in Government recognizes the most impactful women in leading roles across government institutions, excluding ministerial and parliamentary positions.
SCENT OF SUCCESS
Mona Kattan, CEO and Founder of KAYALI, is redefining perfume as a form of self-love. Following a world tour of her signature collection, the beauty mogul is now launching scents that venture outside of her comfort zone, continuing to innovate while tapping into the Middle East's lucrative love of fragrance.
GUIDING THE NARRATIVE
Mona AI Marri, Vice Chairperson and Managing Director of the Dubai Media Council, Director-General of the Government of Dubai Media Office, and President of the Dubai Press Club, has been pivotal in shaping the emirate's media landscape. Now she's bringing Al, filming, and gaming into the spotlight.
MENA's Biggest M&A Deals
MENA continued to solidify its role as a global financial powerhouse in 2024, with major mergers and acquisitions (M&As) shaping industries from chemicals to renewables and retail. Here's a closer look at five of the largest deals of 2024.
World's Richest Women 2025
From pioneering philanthropy to managing family empires, the world's top wealthiest women are reshaping industries, preserving legacies, and redefining influence. Net worths are as of January 16, 2025, as per Forbes.
FUTURE PROOFING
Empowering women in business and nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs means offering community support where it's needed. Rym AI Falasy, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, is championing initiatives in the U.A.E. to foster the well-being and advancement of mothers and children across different fields.
10 MENA Women Making Their Mark in Marketing
These 10 CMOs head the marketing function of some of the largest companies across the region, leading successful campaigns and initiatives, and helping boost business.
100 MOST POWERFUL BUSINESSWOMEN 2025
Women in MENA are leading some of the largest local and global companies and leaving an immense impact across industries, from banking powerhouses to technology visionaries. Once again, Hana AI Rostamani, Group CEO of the First Abu Dhabi Bank- the U.A.E.'s largest bank-leads the list for the third consecutive year. She was also recognized for the fourth time on Forbes' list of the World's Most Powerful Women 2024, ranking 60 globally.
10 Powerful Businesswomen Leading Family-Owned Businesses
Our list of the 10 powerful businesswomen leading some of the largest family-owned companies and groups in the region features women who have inherited family legacies and possess exceptional expertise. They're managing vast conglomerates across diverse sectors of the economy, including industry, technology, and education. The list includes three entries based in the U.A.E., two from Oman, and one from each of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Morocco, Bahrain, and Lebanon.
The World's Most Powerful Women 2024
The 100 leaders on Forbes's 2024 list of the World's Most Powerful Women oversee a total of $33 trillion in GDP and influence the lives of over a billion people. Here's a look at the top ten who are breaking down barriers in politics, philanthropy, and business.
