The Richest Arabs in 2026: Wealth Reshaped by War, Oil, and Vision 2030

The 2026 Arab billionaire landscape looks dramatically different from just three years ago. The Iran-related conflict, sustained high oil prices, Saudi Arabia’s aggressive economic diversification under Vision 2030, and the UAE’s emergence as a global finance hub have all reshaped who sits at the top of the Arab wealth rankings — and how they got there.

This year’s list features 68 Arab billionaires with a combined net worth of approximately $312 billion, up from 62 billionaires worth $287 billion in 2025. The growth is driven by three primary factors: Saudi equity market gains following major IPOs and privatizations, elevated oil revenues flowing through Gulf economies, and the continued expansion of UAE-based business empires in technology, logistics, and real estate.

Here are the 10 richest Arabs in 2026, with complete profiles including net worth, wealth sources, key 2026 business moves, and how each navigated the turbulent regional environment.

Complete Rankings Table

1. Prince Alwaleed bin Talal — $38.2 Billion

Profile

Country: Saudi Arabia | Age: 71 | Primary Company: Kingdom Holding Company

The “Warren Buffett of the Middle East” maintains his position as the richest Arab for the third consecutive year. Prince Alwaleed’s wealth is built on Kingdom Holding Company, a publicly traded conglomerate listed on the Saudi stock exchange (Tadawul) with stakes spanning technology, hospitality, banking, and real estate across four continents.

Key Holdings

• Citigroup: Approximately 5.2% stake worth an estimated $8.1 billion — his single largest holding and a position he has maintained through multiple financial crises since the 1990s
• Lyft: Early investor, current stake worth approximately $2.3 billion
• Twitter/X: Retained significant stake post-acquisition, current value estimated at $1.8 billion
• Four Seasons Hotels: Co-owner with Bill Gates, controlling 47.5% of the luxury hotel chain valued at $10+ billion
• Saudi Real Estate: Major developments in Riyadh and Jeddah through Kingdom Real Estate Development Company

2026 Moves

Prince Alwaleed made headlines in early 2026 with a $2.5 billion investment in Saudi Arabia’s fledgling AI sector, acquiring stakes in three Riyadh-based artificial intelligence startups focused on Arabic language processing, autonomous logistics, and smart city infrastructure. The investment aligns with Saudi Arabia’s push to become a global AI hub under Vision 2030. He also increased his stake in the Saudi entertainment sector, backing a $1.2 billion entertainment complex in Jeddah that will include Saudi Arabia’s first international-standard concert arena.

Iran War Impact

The conflict had minimal direct impact on Prince Alwaleed’s portfolio, though his Saudi real estate holdings benefited from a flight-to-quality trend as investors moved capital from more exposed Gulf markets into Saudi Arabia, which was seen as more insulated from the Iran threat due to its geographic distance and robust defense capabilities.

2. Nassef Sawiris — $33.8 Billion

Profile

Country: Egypt | Age: 65 | Primary Company: OCI NV

Egypt’s richest man and Africa’s wealthiest individual, Nassef Sawiris built his fortune through OCI NV, a global leader in nitrogen-based fertilizers and industrial chemicals. His wealth also includes a significant stake in Adidas (approximately 6%) and a growing portfolio of US and European technology investments.

Key Holdings

• OCI NV: Controls the Amsterdam-listed chemical giant, which operates plants in the US, Netherlands, Egypt, and Algeria
• Adidas: Approximately 6% stake worth $7.2 billion — the sportswear giant’s largest individual shareholder
• Orascom Construction: Family company that built many of Egypt’s major infrastructure projects
• US Tech Portfolio: Significant positions in cloud computing and fintech companies valued at approximately $4 billion

2026 Moves

Sawiris expanded OCI’s green ammonia production capacity with a $3.1 billion investment in a new plant in Texas, positioning the company at the forefront of the hydrogen economy. The move was driven by growing demand for green ammonia as a maritime fuel and hydrogen carrier. He also increased his Adidas stake, purchasing an additional 1.2% during a market dip in Q4 2025 at what analysts consider an excellent entry point. His Egyptian investments focused on a $800 million logistics hub near the New Administrative Capital, capitalizing on Egypt’s push to modernize its supply chain infrastructure.

Why He Matters for Egypt

Sawiris represents the best of Egyptian business on the global stage. His success demonstrates that Egyptian entrepreneurs can build world-class companies that compete internationally, and his continued investment in Egypt — despite easier opportunities elsewhere — signals confidence in the country’s economic future. His Orascom Construction company employs thousands of Egyptians and has been instrumental in building the country’s modern infrastructure.

3. Majid Al Futtaim (Estate) — $28.5 Billion

Profile

Country: UAE | Primary Company: Majid Al Futtaim Holding

The late Majid Al Futtaim, who passed away in 2023, left behind one of the largest private business empires in the Middle East. The Majid Al Futtaim Holding company — now managed by a family trust and professional management team — operates across 17 countries with a focus on retail, real estate, and entertainment.

Key Holdings

• Mall of the Emirates: One of Dubai’s most iconic shopping centers, home to Ski Dubai
• Carrefour MENA: Exclusive franchise operator for Carrefour supermarkets across the Middle East, Africa, and Central Asia — 400+ stores
• VOX Cinemas: The largest cinema chain in the Middle East with 600+ screens
• City Centre Malls: Network of shopping centers across UAE, Oman, Bahrain, and Egypt
• Real Estate: Major development projects including communities in Dubai and Oman

2026 Developments

The holding company announced a $4.2 billion expansion plan in early 2026, with a focus on Saudi Arabia — where it plans to open 50 new Carrefour stores and two mega-malls by 2028. The company also expanded its VOX Cinemas chain into Egypt with 8 new multiplexes, capitalizing on Egypt’s growing middle class and entertainment demand. The estate’s wealth increased 8% year-over-year, driven primarily by strong retail performance across the Gulf and the recovery of Dubai’s real estate market.

4. Abdulla bin Ahmad Al Ghurair — $24.1 Billion

Profile

Country: UAE | Age: 83 | Primary Company: Al Ghurair Group

The patriarch of one of Dubai’s oldest and most powerful merchant families, Al Ghurair’s wealth spans banking (Mashreq Bank, the oldest privately owned bank in the UAE), food processing, construction materials, and real estate. His fortune saw the largest percentage increase among the top 10 in 2026, driven by Mashreq Bank’s record profits.

Key Holdings

• Mashreq Bank: UAE’s oldest private bank, which reported record net profits of AED 8.7 billion ($2.37 billion) in 2025
• Al Ghurair Foods: One of the largest flour and food production companies in the Middle East
• Al Ghurair Properties: Major real estate developer in Dubai
• Al Ghurair Iron & Steel: Construction materials manufacturer

2026 Moves

Mashreq Bank’s expansion into Saudi Arabia and Egypt drove significant wealth appreciation. The bank opened 12 new branches in Saudi Arabia and acquired a minority stake in an Egyptian fintech company, positioning itself for the digitalization of banking across the region. Al Ghurair Foods expanded its production capacity with a new AED 1.5 billion processing plant in Abu Dhabi, capitalizing on food security concerns heightened by the regional conflict.

5. Mohammed Al Amoudi — $22.7 Billion

Profile

Country: Saudi Arabia/Ethiopia | Age: 80 | Primary Sectors: Oil, mining, agriculture

The Saudi-Ethiopian billionaire’s diversified empire spans oil refining, gold mining in Ethiopia, real estate in Sweden, and agriculture across East Africa. Al Amoudi’s wealth surged 16% in 2025-2026, driven primarily by elevated oil prices and a surge in gold mining revenues as gold prices hit record highs above $2,400/oz.

2026 Moves

His MIDROC Gold Mine in Ethiopia increased production by 18% in 2025, capitalizing on gold prices that averaged $2,350/oz for the year. His Swedish real estate portfolio — one of the largest in the country — continued to generate stable income despite European market headwinds. In Saudi Arabia, his oil refining operations benefited from strong domestic fuel demand and elevated margins. He also made a significant $1.1 billion investment in Ethiopian infrastructure, including a new logistics corridor connecting Addis Ababa to the port of Djibouti.

6. Hussain Sajwani — $21.3 Billion

Profile

Country: UAE | Age: 72 | Primary Company: DAMAC Properties

The biggest mover on this year’s list, Hussain Sajwani’s net worth jumped 22% in 2025-2026, making him the fastest-growing fortune among the Arab billionaire elite. DAMAC Properties’ aggressive expansion into data centers, digital infrastructure, and Saudi real estate drove the surge.

2026 Moves

Sajwani made global headlines in January 2026 with a $20 billion commitment to build AI data centers in the United States — a deal announced alongside a partnership with a major American technology company. In Dubai, DAMAC launched its largest-ever residential project: a 10,000-unit community in Dubai South valued at AED 25 billion. The company also expanded into Saudi Arabia with a $5 billion mixed-use development in Riyadh. His relationship with global technology leaders has positioned DAMAC as more than a real estate developer — it is increasingly a digital infrastructure company with real estate roots.

7. Naguib Sawiris — $18.9 Billion

Profile

Country: Egypt | Age: 71 | Primary Companies: Orascom TMT, La Mancha Resources

The elder Sawiris brother built his fortune in telecommunications — founding Orascom Telecom before selling it in stages — and reinvented himself as a gold mining magnate through La Mancha Resources, which holds stakes in gold mines across Africa and Australia.

2026 Moves

Sawiris benefited enormously from elevated gold prices in 2025-2026, with La Mancha’s portfolio of mining investments generating record dividends. He also expanded his media investments, acquiring a 15% stake in a pan-Arab streaming platform and investing $200 million in Egyptian film production facilities. His telecommunications investments in North Africa continued to generate steady cash flow, and he made headlines with a $500 million investment in Egyptian renewable energy — a solar farm in Aswan that will be one of the largest in Africa. His philanthropic efforts in Egypt, including significant contributions to education and cultural preservation, make him one of the most visible Egyptian business figures domestically.

8. Prince Sultan bin Mohammed bin Saud Al Kabeer — $17.4 Billion

Profile

Country: Saudi Arabia | Age: 70 | Primary Holdings: Almarai, SABIC stakes, Saudi real estate

The chairman of Almarai — the world’s largest vertically integrated dairy company — Prince Sultan’s wealth is built on Saudi Arabia’s food industry and petrochemical sectors.

2026 Moves

Almarai’s expansion into international markets accelerated in 2026, with the company entering the Egyptian and Jordanian markets with a $600 million investment in new production facilities. The company also launched a plant-based product line targeting health-conscious consumers in the Gulf, a first for the traditionally dairy-focused company. His SABIC-linked investments benefited from elevated petrochemical prices driven by the Iran conflict’s disruption of Iranian chemical exports.

9. Issad Rebrab — $15.8 Billion

Profile

Country: Algeria | Age: 82 | Primary Company: Cevital Group

Algeria’s richest man runs Cevital, the country’s largest private company and one of Africa’s biggest conglomerates. Cevital’s operations span sugar refining (the largest in Africa), steel production, automotive manufacturing, and retail — including a chain of hypermarkets across Algeria.

2026 Moves

Rebrab expanded Cevital’s sugar refining operations with a new $800 million plant, increasing Algeria’s sugar processing capacity by 30%. The company also made its first significant investment outside Algeria in years, acquiring a steel plant in Italy and announcing plans for a logistics hub in Morocco. Rebrab’s fortune grew modestly at 7% year-over-year, constrained by Algeria’s complex regulatory environment but supported by strong commodity prices and domestic demand.

10. Najib Mikati — $14.2 Billion

Profile

Country: Lebanon | Age: 70 | Primary Company: M1 Group (formerly Investcom)

Lebanon’s richest man and twice its Prime Minister, Najib Mikati built his fortune in telecommunications before diversifying into real estate, aviation, and financial services through M1 Group. His wealth is primarily held outside Lebanon, insulating it from the country’s devastating economic crisis.

2026 Moves

M1 Group expanded its telecommunications operations in Africa, acquiring spectrum licenses in two new markets and investing $400 million in network infrastructure upgrades. The group also increased its real estate portfolio in London and Paris. Despite Lebanon’s ongoing economic crisis, Mikati maintained his wealth through his internationally diversified holdings. His 4% wealth increase — the lowest on the top 10 list — reflects the conservative management style that has preserved his fortune through Lebanon’s multiple crises. Mikati’s foundation continued to fund educational scholarships for Lebanese students studying abroad, maintaining his role as Lebanon’s most prominent philanthropic figure in the business community.

Notable Mentions: Just Outside the Top 10

• #11 Mohamed Mansour (Egypt): $13.5B — Mansour Group (GM distributor, Caterpillar dealer, retail). Expanded into EV distribution with exclusive rights for Chinese EV brands in North Africa.
• #12 Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair (UAE): $12.8B — Mashreq Bank (brother of Abdulla), education philanthropy through the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation.
• #13 Saleh Kamel (estate) (Saudi Arabia): $11.9B — Dallah Albaraka Group. Banking, media, real estate across the Islamic world.
• #14 Samih Sawiris (Egypt): $10.4B — Tourism development (El Gouna, Andermatt), Orascom Development Holding.
• #15 Bahaa Hariri (Lebanon): $9.8B — Saudi Oger (construction), real estate, investment portfolio.

Country Breakdown: Where Arab Wealth Lives

Key Trends Shaping Arab Wealth in 2026

1. Saudi Vision 2030 Is Creating New Billionaires

Saudi Arabia’s economic transformation is the single biggest driver of new Arab wealth creation. The kingdom’s push to diversify beyond oil is creating opportunities in entertainment, tourism, technology, sports, and manufacturing that did not exist five years ago. Several Saudi entrepreneurs who were centimillionaires in 2023 crossed the billionaire threshold in 2025-2026 as their Vision 2030-aligned businesses scaled rapidly. Expect this trend to accelerate as NEOM, the Red Sea tourism project, and Riyadh’s transformation into a global business hub attract more investment.

2. Oil Is Still King (For Now)

Despite diversification efforts, oil prices averaging $88-95/barrel through 2025-2026 continue to underpin Gulf wealth. The Iran conflict pushed prices higher than they might otherwise have been, benefiting Saudi, Emirati, and Kuwaiti fortunes with significant hydrocarbon exposure. However, the smartest billionaires on this list are using oil wealth to invest in post-oil sectors — a pattern that will determine who stays on these rankings a decade from now.

3. Egypt Is Producing More Billionaires

Egypt now accounts for 8 of the 68 Arab billionaires, and three of the top 15. The Sawiris family alone accounts for three billionaires. Egypt’s large domestic market, young population, and improving (if still challenging) business environment are creating more paths to extreme wealth than in the past. Watch for Egyptian tech entrepreneurs to join this list in the next 2-3 years.

4. Lebanese Wealth Has Left Lebanon

All six Lebanese billionaires hold the majority of their wealth outside Lebanon, reflecting the country’s ongoing economic collapse. Lebanese business acumen continues to generate billionaire-level wealth — but it does so in Dubai, Riyadh, Paris, and London rather than Beirut. This diaspora wealth pattern is unlikely to reverse until Lebanon achieves meaningful political and economic reform.

5. Technology and Data Centers Are the New Oil

The rise of Hussain Sajwani as the fastest-growing fortune on this list tells the story of where Arab wealth is heading. His pivot from luxury real estate to AI data centers and digital infrastructure reflects a broader trend: Gulf capital is increasingly flowing toward technology, logistics, and digital services rather than traditional real estate and retail.

The Bottom Line

The Arab billionaire class in 2026 is wealthier, more diversified, and more globally connected than ever before. The aggregate wealth of the top 10 alone — $234.9 billion — exceeds the GDP of most Arab countries. But the most important trend is not the size of these fortunes; it is their direction. The richest Arabs are increasingly investing in technology, renewable energy, food security, and human capital rather than simply accumulating real estate and banking assets. Whether this shift produces lasting economic transformation for the broader Arab world — not just the billionaire class — will be the real story of the next decade.