The Families Driving the Arab Economy
Family businesses remain the backbone of the Arab world’s private sector, shaping industries, creating employment opportunities, and driving long-term economic growth across the region. From energy and construction to healthcare, retail, logistics, and financial services, these enterprises have evolved from local family ventures into diversified business empires with regional and global influence.
According to the Arab Investment and Export Credit Guarantee Corporation (Dhaman), the Arab region’s gross domestic product (GDP) reached approximately $3.8 trillion in 2025 and is expected to exceed $4 trillion in 2026. Much of this economic momentum continues to be supported by family-owned and family-managed businesses, which remain central to the region’s commercial landscape.
This year’s ranking highlights not only the resilience of Arab family enterprises but also their ability to adapt and expand in an increasingly competitive environment. Many of the companies featured are actively pursuing acquisitions, launching new ventures, listing subsidiaries, and securing major infrastructure and development projects beyond their traditional markets.
Among the standout performers, Egypt’s Hassan Allam Holding reported a record project backlog of $7.2 billion in 2025. Meanwhile, a consortium led by Saudi Arabia’s Zahid Group completed the full privatization of South African industrial giant Barloworld in a transaction valuing the 123-year-old company at $1.3 billion. In Qatar, Power International Holding (PIH) secured infrastructure contracts worth $11 billion in Syria, including the redevelopment of Damascus International Airport and the development of 5,000 MW power-generation projects.
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) continues to dominate the ranking, accounting for 86 companies on the list. Saudi Arabia leads with 32 family businesses, followed closely by the United Arab Emirates with 31, while Qatar contributes 10 companies. However, the ranking also reflects the strength of family enterprises across the wider Arab world, including Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Lebanon, and Algeria—demonstrating that family-owned businesses remain a primary engine of private-sector employment, investment, and economic development throughout the region.
Top 100 Arab Family Businesses 2026
- Abdul Latif Jameel
- Al-Futtaim
- Mansour Group
- DAMAC Group
- Olayan Financing Company (OFC)
- Al Ghurair
- Power International Holding (PIH)
- Al Faisal Holding
- Al Ghurair Group
- SEDCO Holding
- Al Othaim Holding Company
- Ajlan & Bros Group
- Hassan Allam Holding
- Yousuf M.A. Naghi & Sons Group
- Alghanim Industries
- Al Nahla Group
- Juffali
- Binghatti Holding
- Tiger Holding
- Alshaya Group
- Capital Group
- AlRashed Group
- S.S. Lootah Group
- AW Rostamani Group (AWR Group)
- Al Khayyat Investments (AKI)
- Zahid Group
- Mohamed & Obaid Almulla Group
- Darwish Holding
- Al Masaood Group
- The Zubair Corporation
- Zamil Group Holding Company
- HSA Group
- Sumou Holding Company
- Alkhorayef Group
- Al Gurg Group
- Crescent Group
- Rawabi Holding
- Obeikan Investment Group (OIG)
- GMG
- ALSAYER Group
- Rajhi Invest
- Ghassan Aboud Holding
- Bin Hamoodah Company
- Al Faisaliah Group (AFG)
- Manaseer Group
- Assila Investments
- AlNowais Investments
- Towell Group
- Alesayi Holding
- Al Mulla Group
- Naif Alrajhi Investment
- Al Nahdi Family Office
- ELARABY Group
- Cevital Group
- MAG Group Holding
- Alturki Holding
- Alfardan Corporation
- Y. K. Almoayyed & Sons
- MASIC
- Tamer Group
- Darwish Bin Ahmed & Sons Group (DBA Group)
- Hamad Al-Sagri Holding Company (HHC)
- Oasis Investment Company (Al Shirawi Group)
- Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Group (Al Naboodah Group)
- Chalhoub Group
- Almajdouie Group
- Khalifa Juma Al Nabooda Group
- Seddiqi Holding
- Abu Issa Holding
- Gargash Group
- Yusuf Bin Ahmed Kanoo Group (YBA Kanoo)
- Mohamed bin Hamad Holding Company (MBHH)
- Mohsin Haider Darwish
- Holmarcom Group
- The Kanoo Group
- Almuftah Group
- Almana Group
- Khansaheb Group
- Al Gebely Holding (AGH)
- Al Othman Holding
- Nuqul Group
- Groupe Addoha
- Diana Holding
- YNNA Holding (CHAABI Family Group)
- Mohammed Rasool Khoory & Sons
- AlMudhaf & AlKulaib Group (MK Group)
- Alghanim Sons Group (ASG)
- Jaidah Group
- Mouawad
- Dorra Group
- Khalifa A. Algosaibi Investment (KAI)
- Tatweer Group
- Marzooq Shamlan Al Shamlan Holding
- AJM Kooheji Group
- Haji Hassan Group
- Safari Group
- Al Rushaid Group
- Al-Qahtani Holding
- HOLDAL Group
Methodology
For this ranking, Forbes Middle East assessed businesses that are owned, controlled, or managed by Arab families. Data was collected from stock exchanges, company disclosures, nominations, and other credible primary sources. Companies were evaluated using a range of quantitative and qualitative criteria, including:
Scale and value of holdings, including listed entities, real estate portfolios, hospitality assets, and revenues from operating businesses.
Recent business activity, such as initial public offerings (IPOs), major investments, acquisitions, and project launches completed during the past year.
Diversification across industries and geographic markets.
Business performance and the strength of core operating segments.
Legacy and longevity, reflecting the company’s history and long-term market presence.
Workforce size, based on the total number of employees across the group.
This methodology aims to capture not only the financial strength of Arab family businesses but also their strategic influence, growth trajectory, and contribution to the regional economy.