The Egyptian representation is the second-largest nationality group in the ranking, behind Emiratis with 31 executives and ahead of Saudis with 13. Forbes’ sixth annual ranking features 102 individuals across 100 entries, representing 21 nationalities, with CEOs based across eight countries in the region. The 15 Egyptian executives are spread across four countries: seven are based in Egypt, five in the UAE, two in Saudi Arabia, and one in Qatar.
The geographical distribution is particularly notable because it shows that Egyptian executive influence extends well beyond the domestic market. Eight of the 15 Egyptian CEOs are currently based outside Egypt, leading major regional companies in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, while seven head major institutions headquartered in Egypt.
Yasser Zaghloul Leads the Egyptian Contingent at #13
Yasser Zaghloul, Group CEO of NMDC Group, is the highest-ranked Egyptian executive, placing 13th overall.
Zaghloul joined NMDC Group in 1998 and assumed his current position in 2009. The integrated energy and marine services, engineering, procurement, and construction company recorded $7.8 billion in revenue and $10.8 billion in total assets in FY2025. The group secured $5.3 billion in project awards during 2025, taking its total backlog to $15.8 billion.
In January 2026, NMDC Infra acquired a 51% stake in Spain’s Lantania Aguas, marking the group’s first entry into the European market. Zaghloul is also a member of the Brussels-based World Organization of Marine Construction and Dredging.
Ahmed Abdelaal Ranks #27 at Mashreq
At #27, Ahmed Abdelaal, Group CEO of Mashreq, is the second-highest-ranked Egyptian.
Abdelaal assumed his current position in 2019. Mashreq operates across 15 markets spanning the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and the U.S. In Q1 2026, the bank reported $524.7 million in net income and $93.8 billion in total assets.
In February 2026, Mashreq priced a $500 million Additional Tier 1 bond that was oversubscribed 4.2 times, with demand reaching $2.1 billion. Abdelaal is also a board member of INJAZ UAE.
Hesham Talaat Moustafa Ranks #30
Hesham Talaat Moustafa, CEO and Managing Director of Talaat Moustafa Group Holding (TMG Holding), ranks 30th overall and is the highest-ranked Egyptian executive based in Egypt.
Moustafa assumed his current role in 2017. TMG operates across Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Iraq, with developments including SouthMED, Banan City, Jood, Yamal and The Spine. Its total land bank exceeds 128 million square meters.
In May 2026, TMG secured an Iraqi investment license to develop a major integrated city project southwest of Baghdad spanning 12.8 million square meters. The development is expected to generate approximately $18.8 billion in sales and comprise 43,000 residential units for 250,000 residents.
In April 2026, TMG also announced plans for The Spine, a mixed-use cognitive city east of Cairo projected to generate $33 billion in sales, with an estimated investment cost of $27 billion.
Ahmed Galal Ismail Leads Majid Al Futtaim at #32
At #32, Ahmed Galal Ismail, CEO of Majid Al Futtaim Holding, represents another Egyptian executive leading a major regional conglomerate from the UAE.
Ismail assumed his current position in 2023, having previously served as CEO of Majid Al Futtaim Properties. In FY2025, the group reported $9.8 billion in revenues and $19.3 billion in total assets.
In 2026, Majid Al Futtaim partnered with Alshaya Group to bring Primark to City Centre Mirdif, followed by flagship launches at Mall of the Emirates and City Centre Bahrain. In June 2026, the group also partnered with Egypt’s MIDAR to develop a mixed-use project in New Cairo’s MADA City with a total development value of $3.1 billion.
Mohamed El-Etreby Ranks #33 at NBE
Mohamed El-Etreby, CEO of the National Bank of Egypt (NBE), ranks #33.
El-Etreby has served as CEO since 2024. Established in 1898, NBE has more than 35,000 employees across 679 branches. In FY2024-2025, the bank reported more than $170 billion in total assets and approximately $2.3 billion in net profit.
In December 2025, NBE signed a $100 million financing agreement with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to support micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. El-Etreby is also chairman of the Federation of Egyptian Banks and a board member of the Union of Arab Banks and EGYPTAIR Holding Company.
Sherif Beshara Ranks #43
At #43, Sherif Beshara, Group CEO of Mohamed & Obaid Almulla Group and American Hospital Dubai, represents the UAE-based Egyptian executives.
Beshara has served as Group CEO since 2018. In January 2025, American Hospital Dubai announced a 10-year technology and innovation partnership with Siemens Healthineers focused on enhancing patient care outcomes.
In April 2025, Ishraq Hospitality, the group’s asset management and hospitality arm, partnered with Samco Holding to develop two hospitality projects in Egypt’s New Administrative Capital. Beshara is also a member of the Board of Trustees of Noor Dubai Foundation.
Hisham Ezz Al-Arab and Hisham Okasha Rank #46 and #47
Egypt’s banking leadership is represented consecutively at #46 and #47 by Hisham Ezz Al-Arab, CEO of Commercial International Bank (CIB), and Hisham Okasha, CEO of Banque Misr.
Ezz Al-Arab was reappointed CEO and Board Member of CIB-Egypt in November 2024, after previously serving as chairman and managing director of the bank for nearly two decades. CIB operates across Egypt, Kenya, Ethiopia and the UAE, serving more than 2.5 million customers through 214 branches as of March 2026. In Q1 2026, CIB reported $30.1 billion in total assets.
Okasha became CEO of Banque Misr in September 2024. The bank operates more than 880 digitally integrated branches across Egypt and maintains a regional and international presence across Africa, the Middle East, Europe and Asia.
Bassel Gamal Ranks #55 at Qatar Islamic Bank
Bassel Gamal, Group CEO of Qatar Islamic Bank (QIB), ranks #55, making him the only Egyptian executive in the ranking based in Qatar.
Gamal has served as Group CEO since 2013. QIB reported $61.5 billion in total assets and $270.7 million in net profit in Q1 2026. The bank also issued a $750 million five-year Sukuk in 2026 and expanded its digital-first strategy, with its mobile application offering more than 320 features and services.
Gamal is also chairman of QIB UK and a board member of QInvest.
Karim Awad Ranks #63
At #63, Karim Awad, Group CEO and Chairman of the Executive Committee at EFG Holding, represents Egypt’s investment banking and non-bank financial services sector.
Awad has led EFG Holding since 2013, overseeing operations across investment banking, non-bank financial services and commercial banking. The company had $5.5 billion in assets under management in 2025.
In 2026, EFG Hermes Asset Management expanded its mutual funds platform by launching five funds. Awad also serves on Egypt’s Presidential Economic Advisory Council and the Prime Minister’s Macroeconomy Advisory Committee.
Tarek Youssef Hosni Ranks #67 at Jamjoom Pharma
Tarek Youssef Hosni, CEO of Jamjoom Pharma, ranks #67 and is one of two Egyptians leading Saudi-based companies.
Hosni assumed his current position in 2021. Jamjoom Pharma reported $400 million in revenues in 2025 and serves 37 countries across nine therapeutic areas.
In 2026, the company reported $128 million in Q1 revenue and $562.7 million in assets. During 2025, Jamjoom Pharma signed 16 strategic agreements, including a partnership with Lifera to develop biologics, vaccines and biosimilars in Saudi Arabia. It also launched six products, bringing its portfolio to 147, and acquired Pfizer’s manufacturing facility in Saudi Arabia.
Mohamed Abdelbary Ranks #70 at ADIB
At #70, Mohamed Abdelbary, Group CEO of Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB), is another Egyptian executive leading a major UAE financial institution.
Abdelbary became Group CEO in 2024 after initially joining ADIB as Group CFO in 2020. As of March 2026, ADIB had 2.3 million customers and operations across the UAE, Egypt, Iraq, Qatar and the UK.
The bank reported $78.2 billion in total assets and $497 million in net profit in Q1 2026. In May 2026, ADIB announced partnerships with Dubai Holding Real Estate and DAMAC Properties to expand access to Sharia-compliant home financing.
Dalia Khorshid Ranks #74
Dalia Khorshid, Group CEO and Managing Director of Beltone Holding, ranks #74.
Khorshid assumed her current position in 2022. Beltone operates across brokerage, investment banking, asset management, private equity and non-bank financial services.
In February 2026, Beltone completed the $233 million acquisition of Baobab Group, a digital microfinance provider. In 2025, Beltone reported $277 million in revenue and $835 million in assets under management.
Tamer Waheed Ranks #93
At #93, Tamer Waheed, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Arab African International Bank (AAIB), is another Egyptian banking leader recognized by Forbes.
Waheed assumed his current position in 2023. Established in 1964, AAIB provides retail, corporate and investment banking services through 106 branches across Egypt, the UAE and Lebanon. The bank had more than $19.1 billion in total assets as of March 2026.
Waheed is also chairman of Digital Financial Identity Company and serves on the boards of Misr Asset Management Company and Ahram Securities Group.
Khaled Abdel-Moneim Ranks #99
Rounding out the Egyptian contingent at #99 is Khaled Abdel-Moneim, CEO of Aluminium Products Company (ALUPCO) in Saudi Arabia.
Abdel-Moneim has served as CEO since 2008. ALUPCO is an aluminum extrusion and building solutions provider that has delivered more than 10,000 projects and exports 40% of its production to more than 30 countries.
In 2025, ALUPCO announced a partnership involving a $266.7 million investment to establish advanced automated aluminum doors and windows manufacturing facilities in Saudi Arabia. Abdel-Moneim is also chairman of Prisma Metal Industry, Conmarble and Advanced Manufacturing Glass.
Eight of the 15 Egyptian CEOs Lead Companies Outside Egypt
One of the clearest insights from the ranking is the regional reach of Egyptian executive talent.
Of the 15 Egyptians recognized by Forbes, seven are based in Egypt, and eight are based outside the country. Five are based in the UAE, two in Saudi Arabia, and one in Qatar.
This means that more than half of the Egyptian executives on the list are currently leading organizations headquartered outside Egypt, including some of the Middle East’s largest banks, diversified groups, pharmaceutical companies, infrastructure businesses and industrial manufacturers.
The UAE is the largest destination for Egyptian CEOs on the list, with Yasser Zaghloul, Ahmed Abdelaal, Ahmed Galal Ismail, Sherif Beshara and Mohamed Abdelbary all leading major organizations from the country.
Banking Dominates the Egyptian Representation
Another major trend is the strong concentration of Egyptian executives in financial services.
Eight of the 15 Egyptian CEOs lead banks or financial-services companies, including Ahmed Abdelaal at Mashreq, Mohamed El-Etreby at NBE, Hisham Ezz Al-Arab at CIB, Hisham Okasha at Banque Misr, Bassel Gamal at QIB, Karim Awad at EFG Holding, Mohamed Abdelbary at ADIB, and Tamer Waheed at AAIB.
This mirrors Forbes Middle East’s wider ranking, where banking and financial services is the largest sector, accounting for 30 entries. Real estate and construction follow with eight entries.
At the same time, the Egyptian group demonstrates considerable sectoral diversity, with representation in real estate and hospitality, construction and infrastructure, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, diversified businesses and industrials.
Egyptian CEOs Represent a Broad Regional Economic Footprint
Collectively, the 15 executives represent organizations with operations spanning multiple markets and, in several cases, assets and revenues measured in tens of billions of dollars.
Their companies are involved in some of the region’s most significant areas of economic activity, from banking and capital markets to real estate development, infrastructure, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing and digital financial services.
The ranking also illustrates the increasingly cross-border nature of Middle Eastern corporate leadership. Egyptian executives are not only managing major companies within Egypt; they are playing leadership roles in organizations headquartered across the Gulf and serving customers and markets throughout the Middle East and beyond.
The Forbes Middle East Top 100 CEOs 2026 is the sixth edition of the annual ranking. The publication says it considered the impact CEOs have had on the region, their countries and the markets they serve, alongside their overall experience and tenure, company size based on revenues, assets and market capitalization, achievements and performance during the previous year, and innovations and initiatives implemented.
The 2026 ranking features 102 individuals across 100 entries, representing 21 nationalities. Emiratis account for 31 executives, followed by Egyptians with 15 and Saudis with 13. The CEOs are based across eight countries in the region, with 49 based in the UAE, 18 in Saudi Arabia, and 11 in Qatar.
