Top 20 World’s Richest Arabs of 2026: These are the Stories Only a Few People Know

What does it really take to turn a local dreamer into a global name? It isn’t just about the gold and luxury we see in the movies; it’s about the people who saw potential where others saw sand. These days, the world’s richest Arabs are trading traditional paths for bold, new ventures that change how we live.

Their lives are the stories of gambles. By knowing the world’s richest Arabs, we see a human side to the world’s massive wealth today.

Who Are the World’s Richest Arabs and Where Does Their Wealth Come From?

Here is a list of 20 Arabs among the richest in the world. Our list is based on data from 2025 and early 2026. We have also taken into consideration their global ranking.

So, here are the world’s richest Arabs:

1. Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Al Saud | Global Ranking: 128

Prince Alwaleed is a genius investor and entrepreneur. He turned a $30,000 loan into a multi-billion-dollar empire, Kingdom Holding Company, which today manages a portfolio worth over $19 billion. Currently worth around $19.6 billion, he holds major stakes in household names like Citigroup, Apple, and X (formerly Twitter). He is a bridge-builder, connecting Middle Eastern capital to Silicon Valley tech, while pledging his entire fortune to humanitarian causes.

2. Sulaiman Al Habib | Global Ranking: 263

Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib proves that healthcare is the ultimate investment. He is a physician who built a medical network valued at a staggering $24 billion, making him one of the wealthiest people in the region with a net worth of $11.2 billion. His hospitals treat over 7.4 million patients annually, using advanced tech such as robotic surgery. He successfully scaled his personal passion for medicine into a massive infrastructure that serves millions across Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

3. Hussain Sajwani | Global Ranking: 310

Hussain Sajwani is the visionary who bet on Dubai’s skyline. After starting in catering for the military, he founded DAMAC Properties and grew his net worth to $10.2 billion. He doesn’t just build apartments; he partners with luxury brands such as Versace and Cavalli to redefine high-end living. Now, he’s looking toward the future of the internet, committing $20 billion to build data centers in the U.S. to power the next generation of AI.

4. Nassef Sawiris | Global Ranking: 407

Nassef Sawiris is Egypt’s wealthiest man, with a fortune sitting at $8.5 billion. As one of the world’s richest Arabs, he runs OCI Global, one of the world’s largest fertilizer producers. He is a savvy diversifier, holding a 6% stake in Adidas and co-owning the Premier League’s Aston Villa. Recently, he announced a massive shift toward U.S. infrastructure, proving his ability to move from heavy industry into global sports and modern construction.

5. Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani | Global Ranking: 720

Known as “HBJ,” Hamad bin Jassim is the ultimate dealmaker. His wealth grew to $5.7 billion in 2025, fueled by high-stakes investments in icons like London’s Harrods and Deutsche Bank. He spent years as Qatar’s Prime Minister, where he helped manage a $300 billion sovereign wealth fund. His career is a masterclass in blending international diplomacy with private enterprise, positioning his ventures at the center of global finance and luxury real estate.

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6. Naguib Sawiris | Global Ranking: 814

Naguib Sawiris is the daring visionary of Egypt’s most famous business family, commanding a fortune of $5.1 billion in 2026. He famously built a global telecom empire before pivoting into gold mining with his firm, La Mancha, which has invested a $2.24 billion. Beyond industry, he is a cultural force, founding the El Gouna Film Festival to promote regional cinema. His career proves that shifting from mobile phones to precious metals is the ultimate secret to success.

7. Abdulla Al Futtaim | Global Ranking: 861

Abdulla Al Futtaim is the driving force behind the cars and stores that define daily life in the UAE. With a net worth of $4.8 billion, his group controls the regional distribution for giants such as Toyota and IKEA. He transformed a family trade into a massive conglomerate that manages over 80 stores across the Middle East and Asia. By bringing the world’s most loved brands to the region, he has fundamentally shaped the modern consumer experience for millions.

8. Abdulla bin Ahmad Al Ghurair | Global Ranking: 869

Abdulla bin Ahmad Al Ghurair is a pioneer who helped build the UAE’s financial foundation. He founded Mashreqbank in 1967 and led it for decades, amassing a wealth of $4.7 billion. His legacy isn’t just in banking; his construction firms provided the exterior cladding for the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building. A dedicated philanthropist, he pledged one-third of his assets to a foundation that aims to provide high-quality education and scholarships for 15,000 Arab students.

9. Najib Mikati | Global Ranking: 1094

Najib Mikati has balanced a high-stakes business career with leading Lebanon as its Prime Minister. He built a $3.7 billion fortune alongside his brother after selling their telecom stake to South Africa’s MTN for $3.6 billion. Through his firm, M1 Group, he manages a diverse real estate portfolio valued at over $500 million across London, New York, and Paris. His journey reflects a unique ability to navigate complex international markets while steering his home nation through turbulent times.

10. Taha Mikati | Global Ranking: 1094

Taha Mikati is the strategic head behind the M1 Group. His journey to becoming part of “The World’s Richest Arabs” club started by selling satellite phones during Lebanon’s civil war. He also founded the Arabian Construction Company, which generates annual revenues exceeding $1 billion from projects in 11 countries. His story is one of pure entrepreneurial grit, turning small-scale communication tools into a multi-sector international investment.

11. Mohamed Mansour | Global Ranking: 1248

Mohamed Mansour is the driving force behind a $6 billion family empire that spans from Cairo to London. He oversees the Mansour Group, which manages a massive workforce of 60,000 employees. He transformed his family’s business into one of General Motors’ largest distributors worldwide. His reach extends to Major League Soccer as a co-owner of San Diego FC, proving his knack for global expansion and sport.

12. Issad Rebrab | Global Ranking: 1345

Issad Rebrab is Algeria’s industrial titan, holding a fortune of $3 billion in 2026. He founded Cevital, the country’s largest private company, which operates one of the world’s most productive sugar refineries. His business interests are truly global, owning French appliance maker Groupe Brandt and major steel operations. Despite facing significant legal and political hurdles in recent years, his family remains a powerhouse in the Mediterranean’s food and manufacturing sectors, feeding millions across the region.

13. Emad Al Muhaidib | Global Ranking: 1517

Emad Al Muhaidib is a cornerstone of the Saudi economy. As the chairman of Al Muhaidib Holding, he directs investments into essential sectors like food, retail, and real estate. He plays a vital role in the Kingdom’s modern infrastructure through strategic partnerships with major brands such as Tamimi and Othaim. His leadership ensures the family group stays aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, focusing on sustainable growth and diversifying the nation’s industrial base.

14. Essam Al Muhaidib | Global Ranking: 1605

Essam Al Muhaidib is a strategic leader who has helped grow his family’s conglomerate into a regional powerhouse worth billions. With a personal net worth of $2.5 billion, he focuses on building materials, logistics, and the food industry. He shares ownership of a group that holds stakes in at least 16 publicly traded companies across Saudi Arabia and Egypt. His career is defined by his disciplined approach to investment.

15. Sulaiman Al Muhaidib | Global Ranking: 1605

Sulaiman Al Muhaidib serves as the chairman of the Al Muhaidib Group, overseeing a diversified empire. Often named among the world’s richest arabs, he manages key stakes in major entities such as Almarai and ACWA Power. Since taking the reins in 1996, he has expanded the group’s reach across 25 countries and four continents. His work bridges the gap between traditional trading and the large-scale industrial projects that power the Middle East today.

16. Bahaa Hariri | Global Ranking: 1795

Bahaa Hariri carved his own path after moving on from his family’s construction business, Saudi Oger. Today, he manages a fortune of $2.3 billion, with much of his success rooted in the Horizon Group, a real estate firm he founded in 2002. He played a pivotal role in the $5 billion Al-Abdali project, which modernized Amman’s downtown. By investing in logistics and real estate across Jordan and Lebanon, he has become a key player in urban transformation.

17. Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani | Global Ranking: 2223

Sheikh Faisal started his journey at age 16, selling car parts in Doha, and grew it into a $1.8 billion empire. His Al Faisal Holding now owns over 20 luxury hotels worldwide, including the St. Regis in Washington, D.C. He is also a guardian of culture, housing over 15,000 artifacts in his personal museum. His career shows how a self-made entrepreneur can bridge the gap between aggressive global business growth and the preservation of national heritage.

18. Mohamed Alabbar | Global Ranking: 2235

Mohamed Alabbar is the man behind Dubai’s most famous landmarks, including the $1.5 billion Burj Khalifa. As the founder of Emaar Properties, he has built a net worth of roughly $1.7 billion. He didn’t just stop at real estate; he founded Noon.com with a $1 billion initial investment to take on global e-commerce. His work has transformed Dubai into a global tourism hub, proving that a bold vision can truly change a city’s destiny.

19. Youssef Mansour | Global Ranking: 2619

Youssef Mansour is a quiet mind behind Egypt’s Mansour Group. He is credited with revolutionizing Egyptian retail by founding Metro, the country’s largest supermarket chain with nearly 40 branches. His leadership helped secure exclusive distribution for brands such as L’Oreal and General Motors. He has provided the essential services that power daily life for millions of people across the region.

20. Anas Sefrioui | Global Ranking: 2629

Anas Sefrioui is a self-made tycoon who built his $1.4 billion fortune by making homeownership a reality for thousands. His company, Groupe Addoha, dominates the Moroccan market, largely thanks to government contracts to build thousands of affordable housing units. He later expanded into the industrial sector, launching cement plants with a capacity of 1.6 million tons annually. He is mentioned in the list of the world’s richest Arabs for building the literal foundation of a growing nation.

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Why the Arabian Peninsula Produces So Many Billionaires Today?

Why does the Arabian Peninsula seem to have so many billionaires? While the region is famous for its vast oil and gas reserves, the real story in 2026 is how it has turned that liquid gold into a diverse, high-tech future. By strategically reinvesting energy profits in global markets and local innovation, the Gulf States have created a unique environment where massive private wealth not only survives but also thrives.

The Foundation: Energy and Beyond

It’s no secret that hydrocarbons provided the initial spark. Qatar, for instance, leads the pack with a GDP per capita (PPP) of $121,610, fueled by its dominance in the LNG market. Saudi Arabia follows with $62,676, supported by oil revenues that helped the combined net wealth of the region exceed $7.5 trillion recently. 

However, the secret was how these nations use Sovereign Wealth Funds to amplify private success. Funds like the Qatar Investment Authority and Saudi’s PIF act as stabilizers, allowing private businesses to expand even when oil prices fluctuate.

A New Chapter: The Diversification Boom

Today, the wealth of the world’s richest Arabs is shifting into sectors such as tech, finance, and real estate. In 2024 alone, Saudi Arabia and the UAE attracted over $76 billion in foreign direct investment. This influx of capital allows local CEOs outperform global peers. A PwC survey shows Saudi/GCC CEOs expressing higher confidence in revenue growth (54% extremely confident vs. 37% globally in 2024). 

Conclusion:

What do these billionaires teach us about the future of global wealth? It is clear that the world’s richest Arabs are no longer relying solely on traditional oil; they are now investing heavily in tech, green energy, and global sports. Their combined wealth reflects a region rapidly pivoting toward a more modern, diversified economy.

These stories are about the human drive to build something lasting. As the world’s richest Arabs invest in AI and infrastructure, they leave a footprint that shapes global markets. Their journeys prove that with vision, local dreams become world-class legacies.

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FAQs

1. Which country has the most Arab billionaires?

Saudi Arabia leads the region with 15 billionaires, followed by Lebanon and Egypt. This growth is driven by a surge in local stock market listings and the Kingdom’s massive economic shift toward non-oil sectors under Vision 2030.

2. What are the primary sources of their wealth?

While energy remains a factor, most modern fortunes come from diversified conglomerates. Key sectors include high-end real estate, healthcare, retail, and telecommunications. Many are now pivoting toward significant investments in AI data centers and sustainable energy.

3. Are there any self-made billionaires on the list of the world’s richest Arabs?

Yes, many are self-made entrepreneurs. Hussain Sajwani built a property empire from scratch, while Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib turned a medical practice into a hospital network. Their success stories highlight a move toward specialized, service-based industries.