Forbes Middle East released its list of Top CEOs 2024, naming companies and institutions' most powerful and impactful leaders in the region.
The list highlights the top CEOs in the Middle East focusing on their significant achievements and the success of their companies. It features leaders from various sectors like energy, banking, telecom, and real estate. Among the list are 9 individuals who are based in Qatar, with Qatar Energy CEO Saad bin Saad Sherida al-Kaabi and QNB Group CEO Abdulla Mubarak Al-Khalifa being among the top 10.
#4 Saad Sherida al-Kaabi
Saad Sherida al-Kaabi
Image credit: Forbes Middle East
Position: Vice Chairman, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer
Company: Qatar Energy
Nationality: Qatari
Sector: Energy
In 2014, Al-Kaabi was appointed as President and CEO of QatarEnergy, and by 2018, he also became the Minister of State for Energy Affairs and Vice Chairman of the same company. In 2024, QatarEnergy partnered with China State Shipbuilding Corporation in a $6 billion agreement to create 18 advanced LNG carriers. Furthermore, that year, the company unveiled a plan to boost Qatar's LNG production by 85% to 142 million tons annually by 2030 through the North Field West project.
#10 Abdulla Mubarak Al-Khalifa
Abdulla Mubarak Al-Khalifa
Image credit: Forbes Middle East
Position: Group CEO
Company: QNB Group
Nationality: Qatari
Sector: Banking
QNB Group, established in 1964, saw Al Khalifa join in 1996 and become a key leader in 2018. By 2023, its assets reached $338.2 billion, a 4% increase, with profits up 8% to $4.3 billion. In 2024, it expanded its fintech collaboration with Ooredoo Fintech in Oman to boost digital services.
#36 Aziz Aluthman Fakhroo
Aziz Aluthman Fakhroo
Image credit: Forbes Middle East
Position: Managing Director and Group CEO
Company: Ooredoo Group
Nationality: Qatari
Sector: Telecommunications
Since November 2020, Fakhroo has guided Ooredoo Group, with its operations in 10 countries across the Middle East, North Africa, and Southeast Asia. In 2024, the group partnered with NVIDIA to delve into generative AI and advanced networking, reporting $1.6 billion in revenue and $15.6 billion in assets for the first quarter.
#59 Bassel Gamal
Bassel Gamal
Image credit: Forbes Middle East
Position: Group CEO
Company: Qatar Islamic Bank (QIB)
Nationality: Egyptian
Sector: Banking
Since 2013, Gamal has been leading Qatar Islamic Bank (QIB), which in 2023 reported assets of $52 billion and profits of $1.2 billion, up 6.6% from the previous year. That November, the bank also launched a $500 million sukuk.
#64 Abdulrahman bin Fahad Al-Thani
Abdulrahman bin Fahad Al-Thani
Image credit: Forbes Middle East
Position: Group CEO
Company: Doha Bank
Nationality: Qatari
Sector: Banking
Al Thani took over his role at Doha Bank in October 2023. The bank operates 17 branches in Qatar and has 4 international branches in the UAE, Kuwait, and India, alongside representative offices across the UK, Singapore, Turkey, China, Japan, South Korea, Germany, Australia, Bangladesh, South Africa, and Nepal as of June 2024. By the first half of 2024, Doha Bank reported a net profit of $118.8 million with $29.1 billion in assets.
#70 Abdullah Al Sulaiti
Abdullah Al Sulaiti
Image credit: Forbes Middle East
Position: CEO
Company: Nakilat
Nationality: Qatari
Sector: Logistics
Mr. Al Sulaiti joined Nakilat in 2011 and has been in his current role since 2013. Nakilat has one of the largest LNG fleets globally, consisting of 69 LNG carriers, 4 LPG carriers, 1 floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU), and an order book of 27 new LNG carriers, 9 QC-MAX carriers, and 4 new LPG/ammonia carriers. In March 2024, Nakilat entered into long-term agreements with QatarEnergy to charter and operate 25 conventionally sized LNG carriers.
#78 Yousuf Mohamed Al-Jaida
Yousuf Mohamed Al-Jaida
Image credit: Forbes Middle East
Position: CEO
Company: Qatar Financial Centre
Nationality: Qatari
Sector: Financial Services
Al Jaidah started his role in June 2015. By the first half of 2024, the QFC had added 505 firms, totaling over 2,200 firms. The center also launched the Digital Asset Lab to boost digital accounting technology, aligning with its financial sector growth strategy.
#80 Tarek El Sayed
Tarek El Sayed
Image credit: Forbes Middle East
Position: Managing Director & CEO
Company: Al Rayyan Tourism Investment Company (ARTC)
Nationality: Egyptian
Sector: Travel & Tourism
Since 2017, Mr. El Sayed has led ARTIC, part of Al Faisal Holding, overseeing its growth to over 35 hotel projects globally. Recently, in 2023, they partnered with IHG to rename their Times Square hotel to Crowne Plaza. Before this, he was the CFO of Al Faisal Holding.
#82 Salem Almannai
[Salem Almannai]
Image credit: Forbes Middle East
Position: Group CEO
Company: Qatar Insurance Company (QIC)
Nationality: Qatari
Sector: Insurance
Almannai, who became the CEO of Qatar Insurance Company in 2020 after joining in 2001, led the company to earn $2 billion in revenue and a net profit of $169 million in 2023, recovering from a $325 million loss in 2022. With operations in 11 countries, he also serves as the chairman of the MENA Insurance Technology Association. In 2023, he was instrumental in launching a strategic financial sector plan with Qatar Central Bank to make Qatar a global hub for financial services innovation.