In this region, the government is often one of the biggest shareholders in the largest organizations, so while the business heads are committed to creating value for shareholders and other financial metrics, they also align with national interests and goals.
Many of the CEOs on our list also hold influential roles in government institutions. Out of the top 10 leaders, nine are from companies where the majority stake is owned directly or indirectly by the government. Some of those companies, including Aramco, ADNOC, and QatarEnergy, are among the biggest sources of revenue for their respective countries. Two entries in the top 10 are also government ministers and another two are members of royal families.
Our list of MENA’s most prominent CEOs in 2024 recognizes their achievements and the success of the companies they lead. It includes leaders from diverse sectors, including oil and gas, banking, telecommunications, and real estate. Many of these CEOs have steered their companies through challenging times, leveraging technology and sustainability to enhance efficiency and competitiveness. They have also played a key role in diversifying the region’s economies and positioning MENA as a global business hub. This year’s list features the CEO of the world’s largest oil company, the CEO of the world’s largest LNG producer, and the CEO of the largest international airline among others.
The top 100 CEOs include leaders from 19 nationalities. Emiratis dominate with 27 entries, followed by Egyptians with 21 and Saudis with 14. This is a positive sign for localization, with most large companies now headed by local executives. 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.
1 Amin H. Nasser
President & CEO
Company: Saudi Aramco
Residence: Saudi Arabia
Denne historien er fra August 2024-utgaven av Forbes Middle East - English.
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Denne historien er fra August 2024-utgaven av Forbes Middle East - English.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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CONSCIOUS INVESTING
VentureSouq's cofounders and general partners, Suneel Gokhale, Sonia Gokhale, Tammer Qaddumi, and Sonia Weymuller, are actively reshaping the investment landscape. With $250 million in assets under management, the thematic fund manager is forging a distinct path, with a focus on fintech and climate tech.
VENTURING BEYOND CAPITAL
In just seven years, Shane Shin and Mahmoud Adi, Founding Partners of Shoroog Partners, have turned their startup into one of the Middle East’s biggest startup investors, with 500 million in assets under management. With ambitions far beyond venture capital, they’re now expanding further into credit markets and looking at where they can be pioneers.
ROCK STAR
WHAT IF THE REVOLUTIONARY TECHNIQUES DEVELOPED TO FRACK ROCKS FOR OIL COULD BE MODIFIED TO UNLOCK LIMITLESS CLEAN ENERGY FROM THE HEAT OF THE EARTH’S CRUST?
Breaking New Territory
Moroccan-Canadian singer and 30 Under 30 alumna Faouzia is having her biggest year yet and enjoying newfound fame in China. As her stardom rises, she’s now exploring new projects and possibilities.
5 Biggest MENA IPOs of 2024
This year has been pivotal for MENA, marked by a series of high-profile IPOs that drew interest from local and international investors. Here’s a look at the five biggest IPOs that defined 2024.
TOP VENTURE CAPITALISTS
MENA has emerged as a vibrant hub for innovation and entrepreneurship, fostering a dynamic landscape for startups.
Top Funding Rounds in MENA 2024
This year has seen some of MENA’s largest-ever funding rounds. Here’s a look at five standout deals. Only startups that were founded less than 10 years ago and had disclosed their funding rounds as of November 27, 2024, were considered.
Key Insights From MENA's Funding Landscape
MENA saw a mixed performance in the first nine months of 2024.
A Look Ahead: Travel Trends Shaping 2025
What will drive wanderlust in 2025? Here’s a look at the key travel trends set to dominate the year.
Codebreakers
Backed by 200 million in funding, 28-year-old SCOTT WU and his team of competitive coders at Cognition are building an Al tool that can program entirely on its own, potentially disintegrating the whole industry. Is its 2 billion valuation the result of a true breakthrough, or just more Al hype?
