Forbes Middle East Names Abdul Latif Jameel #1 in 2026 Arab Family Business Rankings
On 16 June 2026, Forbes Middle East released its highly anticipated Top 100 Arab Family Businesses list, shining a spotlight on dynastic enterprises that blend heritage with modern ambition.
The ranking evaluates companies on a blend of metrics—asset size, performance, recent activity, age, legacy and diversification—and confirms the Gulf Cooperation Council’s (GCC) continued dominance. Out of the 100 entries, 86 hail from the GCC: Saudi Arabia contributes 32 firms, the United Arab Emirates 31, and Qatar 10. The remaining 14 slots are filled by family‑owned groups from Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Lebanon and Algeria.
At the summit sits Abdul Latif Jameel, the Saudi‑based conglomerate founded in 1945. Today the group operates in more than 35 countries and employs over 11,000 people. Forbes cites the 2025 expansion of its mobility division—entering seven new markets, including the United Kingdom, Australia, Italy, Poland, the UAE, South Africa and Iraq—as a key factor in its top‑ranking placement.
Just behind it, Al‑Futtaim ranks second. Led by Vice Chairman and CEO Omar Al Futtaim, the Emirati group was established in 1930 and has long dominated automotive, retail and real‑estate sectors.
The only non‑GCC conglomerate in the top ten is Egypt’s Mansour Group, the country’s largest family‑owned company. Founded in 1952, Mansour operates across automotive, financial services and consumer markets.
Other top‑ten firms include DAMAC Group (UAE, 1982), Olayan Financing Company (Saudi, 1947), Al Ghurair (UAE, 1960), Power International Holding (Qatar, 2011), Al Faisal Holding (Qatar, 1964), Al Ghurair Group (UAE, 1960) and SEDCO Holding (Saudi, 1976).
Beyond the GCC, the list showcases a breadth of family‑owned activity. Oman’s Towell Group, founded in 1866, emerges as the oldest company on the list. Newer entrants such as Morocco’s O Capital Group and Saudi Arabia’s Al Nahdi Family Office illustrate how recent mergers and strategic consolidations are reshaping the regional landscape.
The ranking also reflects not just scale but momentum. In 2025, Qatar’s Power International Holding secured two infrastructure contracts in Syria worth $11 billion. Egypt’s Hassan Allam Holding reported a record $7.2 billion backlog, while Saudi Arabia’s Zahid Group completed a $1.3 billion privatization of Barloworld.
Other notable developments include Kuwait’s Alghanim Industries launching Barq, an ultra‑fast electric‑vehicle charging operator, and the UAE’s AW Rostamani Group unveiling an all‑electric smart SUV in 2026.
The publication of the list underscores the continuing importance of family‑owned enterprises to the Arab world’s economy. These firms drive investment, create jobs and often spearhead diversification initiatives that align with national visions such as Saudi Vision 2030 and the UAE’s National Agenda.
Readers can view the full Top 100 list on Forbes Middle East’s website, where the ranking is accompanied by detailed company profiles and performance metrics.
The 2026 list reaffirms the GCC’s leadership in family‑owned business while highlighting the growing influence of non‑GCC firms and the evolving strategies that keep these dynasties competitive in a rapidly changing regional economy.
