Top 100 most powerful Arabs 2023

The past 12 months have been truly momentous for the Arab world, from the building of some of the world’s most ambitious infrastructure projects to the hosting of two consecutive UN Climate Change Conferences (COPs) and a listing boom that saw Middle East IPOs fetching more than $18bn.

The Gulf region remains relatively insulated from the confluence of a slowing global economy, geopolitical tensions and volatility in the financial markets, with real GDP growth expected to moderate from 6.1 per cent in 2022 to 3.4 per cent in 2023, according to the International Monetary Fund.

The region is expected to deliver its strongest economic growth in a decade, underscoring the performance of sovereign wealth funds and accelerated investments in technology, sustainability, advanced industrial manufacturing and tourism.

This year’s power list honours Arab leaders driving and shaping this growth. They range from astute business leaders to notable personalities in industry, sports, entertainment, and culture from across the region and beyond.

Arabs reached new heights in 2022 from space exploration to summiting the tallest mountain in the world and topping entertainment charts. Our female power listers continue to shatter the glass ceiling in the boardroom and beyond. This year, we welcome 12 new entrants to the list – they have made their mark with exemplary contributions across various fields. We also have upward and downward shifts among the honour roll, with a few exiting the list.

Read on to discover who made it to the list:

RankNameTitleOriginResidenceIndustry
1Yasir Al-RumayyanChairman, Aramco/governor, Public Investment FundSaudi ArabiaSaudi ArabiaDiversified
2Dr Sultan Al JaberManaging director and group CEO, ADNOCUAEUAEEnergy
3HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al MaktoumChairman and chief executive, Emirates Group/chairman, Emirates NBDUAEUAEDiversified
4Saad Sherida Al-KaabiPresident and CEO, QatarEnergy/chairman and MD, Industries QatarQatarQatarEnergy
5Khaldoon Khalifa Al MubarakManaging director and group CEO, Mubadala Investment CompanyUAEUAEDiversified
6Amin NaseerPresident and CEO, AramcoSaudi ArabiaSaudi ArabiaEnergy
7Carlos Slim HelúHonorary chairman, América MóvilLebanon/MexicoMexicoTelecoms
8Mohamed AlabbarFounder, Emaar/noon.comUAEUAEReal Estate/Retail
9HRH Prince Alwaleed bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Al SaudChairman, Kingdom Holding CompanySaudi ArabiaSaudi ArabiaFinance
10Mohamed Al HammadiManaging director and CEO, Emirates Nuclear Energy CorporationUAEUAEEnergy
11Sultan Ahmed bin SulayemGroup chairman and CEO, DP WorldUAEUAELogistics
12Sarah bint Yousif Al AmiriChairwoman, UAE Space AgencyUAEUAESpace
13Mansoor Ebrahim Al-MahmoudCEO, Qatar Investment AuthorityQatarQatarDiversified
14Abdul Aziz Al GhurairChairman, MashreqUAEUAEFinance
15Abdulla Mubarak Al-KhalifaGroup CEO, Qatar National BankQatarQatarFinance
16Hana Al RostamaniGroup CEO, First Abu Dhabi BankUAEUAEFinance
17Mohammed Ibrahim Al ShaibaniManaging director, Investment Corporation of DubaiUAEUAEDiversified
18Salem Humaid Al MarriDirector general, Mohammed Bin Rashid Space CentreUAEUAEScience and Technology
19Lubna Suliman OlayanChairperson, Saudi British BankSaudi ArabiaSaudi ArabiaFinance
20Essa KazimGovernor, DIFCUAEUAEFinance
21Mohamed Khalifa Al MubarakChairman, Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi/Aldar PropertiesUAEUAETourism/ Real Estate
22Fahd HamidaddinCEO, Saudi Tourism AuthoritySaudi ArabiaSaudi ArabiaTourism
23HH Prince Naif bin Sultan bin Mohammed bin Saud Al KabeerChairman, AlmaraiSaudi ArabiaSaudi ArabiaFMCG
24Sarah Al SuhaimiChairperson, Saudi Tadawul GroupSaudi ArabiaSaudi ArabiaFinance
25Mohammad Saud Al-OsaimiCEO, Boursa KuwaitKuwaitKuwaitFinance
26Saeed Mohammed Al GhamdiChairman, Saudi National BankSaudi ArabiaSaudi ArabiaFinance
27Dr Raja Easa Al GurgChairperson and managing director, Easa Saleh Al Gurg GroupUAEUAEDiversified
28Reem Al HashimyCEO, Expo City Dubai AuthorityUAEUAEDiversified
29Mohamed SalahFootballer, Liverpool FCEgyptUKSports
30Abdulrahman Saleh Al-FageehCEO, SABICSaudi ArabiaSaudi ArabiaIndustry
31Sultan AlNeyadiAstronautUAEUAESpace
32Helal Al MarriDirector general, Dubai’s Department of Economy and TourismUAEUAETourism/ Diversified 
33Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al ThaniChairperson, Qatar MuseumsQatarQatarCulture and Society
34Elie Habib and Eddy MarounCo-founders, AnghamiLebaneseUAECulture and Society
35Ayman Mohammed AlsayariGovernor, Saudi Central Bank (SAMA)Saudi ArabiaSaudi ArabiaFinance
36Mohammed Abdul Latif JameelChairman and CEO, Abdul Latif JameelSaudi ArabiaSaudi ArabiaDiversified
37Khalaf Al HabtoorFounding chairman, Al Habtoor GroupUAEUAEDiversified
38Nayla HayekChairperson Swatch Group/ president and CEO of Harry WinstonSwissSwitzerlandRetail
39Sheikh Sulaiman bin Abdulaziz AlRajhiCo-founder AlRajhi BankSaudi ArabiaSaudi ArabiaFinance
40Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa Al HammadiChairman, Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED)UAEUAEDiversified
41Olayan Mohammed AlwetaidGroup CEO, stc Group Saudi ArabiaSaudi ArabiaTelecoms
42Mohammed AlshayaExecutive chairman, Alshaya GroupKuwaitKuwaitRetail
43Bader Nasser Al-KharafiVice chairman and CEO, Zain GroupKuwaitKuwaitTelecoms
44Mohamed MansourFounder and board member, Mansour GroupEgyptEgyptDiversified
45Faisal Al BannaiChairman, EDGE GroupUAEUAEScience and technology
46Hatem DowidarCEO, e& GroupEgyptUAETelecoms
47Mohamed Juma Al ShamisiManaging director and CEO, AD Ports GroupUAEUAELogistics
48Karim AwadGroup CEO and chairman of the Executive Committee, EFG Hermes HoldingEgyptEgyptFinance
49Mohammed bin Mahfoodh AlardhiExecutive chairman, InvestcorpOmanOmanFinance
50Khalid Al RumaihiCEO, Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding CompanyBahrainBahrainDiversified
51Nassef SawirisExecutive chairman, OCI/co-owner, Aston Villa FCEgyptUKDiversified
52Akbar Al BakerGroup chief executive, Qatar AirwaysQatarQatarAviation/ Tourism
53Naguib SawirisManaging director and CEO, Orascom Investment HoldingEgyptEgyptDiversified
54Adel Abdulla AliGroup CEO, Air Arabia BahrainUAEAviation
55Jassim AlseddiqiBoard managing director, Shuaa Capital UAEUAEFinance
56Aziz Aluthman FakhrooManaging director and CEO, Ooredoo QatarQatarTelecoms
57Mohammad A BakerDeputy chairman and CEO, GMGUAEUAERetail
58Mohammad Ali bin Rashed LootahPresident and CEO, Dubai ChambersUAEUAEDiversified
59Ala’a EraiqatGroup CEO, Abu Dhabi Commercial BankUAEUAEFinance
60Issam KazimCEO, Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce MarketingUAEUAETourism
61Kutayba Yusuf AlghanimExecutive chairman, Alghanim IndustriesKuwaitKuwaitDiversified
62Elie SaabFashion designer LebanonLebanonCulture and Society
63Abdulla Jassem KalbanManaging director, Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA)UAEUAEIndustry
64Mona AtayaFounder and CEO, MumzworldPalestineUAERetail
65Ghaith Al GhaithCEO, flydubaiUAEUAEAviation
66Wadha Ahmed Al-KhateebCEO, Kuwait National Petroleum CompanyKuwaitKuwaitEnergy
67Hesham Al QassimCEO, wasl Asset ManagementUAEUAEReal Estate
68Sheikh Abdullah bin BayyahChairman, UAE Fatwa CouncilMauritaniaUAECulture and Society
69Badr JafarCEO, Crescent EnterprisesUAEUAEDiversified
70Mishal KanooChairman, The Kanoo GroupBahrain/UAEUAEDiversified
71Amal Suhail BahwanVice chairperson, Suhail Bahwan GroupOmanOmanDiversified
72Tarek SultanCEO and vice chairman, AgilityKuwaitUAELogistics
73Khaled Mohammed BalamaGovernor, Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE)UAEUAEFinance
74Fadi GhandourExecutive chairman WAMDA/co-founder, AramexJordanUAEFinance/Logistics
75Mazin Rashid LamkiCEO, Energy Development OmanOmanOmanEnergy
76DJ KhaledMusicianPalestineUSCulture and Society
77Mohammed Abu GhazalehChairman and CEO, Fresh Del Monte Palestine - USUSFMCG
78Dr Amina Al RostamaniCOO, AW Rostamani GroupUAEUAEDiversified
79Shaikha Khaled Al BaharDeputy group CEO, National Bank of Kuwait (NBK)KuwaitKuwaitFinance
80Ronaldo MouchawarCo-founder, Souq.com and VP, Amazon MENASyriaUAERetail
81Hussain SajwaniFounder and chairman, Damac PropertiesUAEUAEReal Estate
82Rayyanah BarnawiAstronautSaudi ArabiaSaudi ArabiaSpace
83Ons JabeurTennis playerTunisiaTunisiaSports
84Munib Al MasriChairman and founder, Edgo GroupPalestinePalestineDiversified
85Othman BenjellounChairman and CEO, Bank of AfricaMoroccoMoroccoFinance
86Juma Al MajidFounder, Juma Al Majid GroupUAEUAEDiversified
87Lana NusseibehUAE Ambassador and permanent representative to the United NationsUAEUAEDiplomacy
88Mohammed Al AmoudiOwner, MIDROCSaudi Arabia/ EthiopiaSaudi ArabiaDiversified
89Zaid S Al KhayyatManaging director, Al Khayyat InvestmentsUAEUAEFinance
90Huda KattanFounder, Huda Beauty Iraq/USUAE Culture and Society
91Khalid Al Ameri and Salama MohamedSocial media influencersUAEUAE Culture and Society
92Mona AlmoayyedManaging director, Y.K. Almoayyed & Sons, Chairperson, Edbaa BankBahrainBahrainDiversified
93Nouran GoharSquash playerEgyptEgyptSports
94Nezha HayatChairperson and CEO, Moroccan Capital Market AuthorityMoroccoMoroccoFinance
95Amr DiabSingerEgyptEgyptCulture and Society
96Rami MalekActorEgypt/USUSCulture and Society
97Salwa Idrissi AkhannouchFounder and CEO, Aksal GroupMoroccoMoroccoRetail/Real Estate
98Raed BarqawiExecutive editor-in-chief, Al KhaleejUAEUAECulture and Society
99Reema JuffaliRacing driverSaudi ArabiaSaudi ArabiaSports
100Nayla Al BaloushiMountaineerUAEUAESports

End note: Gulf Business looked at the events of 2022-23 and rated each individual case on the basis of four criteria: financial capital, human capital, expansion plans and level of personal fame. In general, Gulf Business has excluded politicians and royalty, unless the contenders have a strong leaning towards business activity. We have included Arabs from across the world.

News Source: Gulf Business