Qatar’s Family Business Giants Shine in Forbes Middle East Top 100 Ranking

Ten family-owned business groups from Qatar have been included in the Forbes Middle East Top 100 Arab Family Businesses 2026, highlighting the continued strength and influence of Qatari enterprises in the regional economic landscape.

The Qatari companies featured in this year’s ranking are Power International Holding, Al Faisal Holding, Al Darwish Holding, Alfardan Group, Abu Issa Holding, along with Mohammed Bin Hamad Holding, Al Muftah Group, Al Mana Group, Al Jaidah Group, and Marzooq Shamlan Al Shamlan Group.

According to Forbes Middle East, the ranking is based on a wide range of financial and operational indicators. These include the overall size of family business investments, the valuation of subsidiaries and listed companies, real estate and hospitality assets, and revenues generated from diversified holdings.

The evaluation also takes into account recent business momentum such as new investments, acquisitions, IPO activity, and expansion into new markets, in addition to workforce strength, geographic reach, sector diversification, and the legacy and longevity of the family businesses.

At the national level, Power International Holding emerged as the leading Qatari family business in the list, securing seventh position across the Arab world. The group, led by brothers Motaz and Ramez Al Khayyat, continues to expand its footprint across infrastructure, real estate, and multiple diversified sectors.

Al Faisal Holding, chaired by Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani, ranked second among Qatari firms and eighth regionally, reflecting its longstanding presence and diversified investment portfolio.

Darwish Holding was placed third in Qatar and 28th in the Arab region, followed by Alfardan Group in fourth place nationally and 58th regionally. Abu Issa Holding secured fifth position in Qatar and 70th in the wider Arab ranking.

Mohammed Bin Hamad Holding ranked sixth in Qatar and 73rd regionally, while Al Muftah Group came seventh in the national list at 77th Arab-wide. Al Mana Group followed in eighth place in Qatar and 78th in the region.

Al Jaidah Group was ranked ninth nationally and 89th regionally, while Marzooq Shamlan Al Shamlan Group completed the Qatari representation, placing tenth in Qatar and 94th across the Arab world.

The report underscores that family-owned enterprises remain a fundamental pillar of economic activity across the Middle East and North Africa.

These businesses continue to play a central role in driving investment, generating employment, and supporting diversification across key sectors including energy, construction, retail, healthcare, logistics, financial services, and real estate.

For 2026, the broader Arab economic outlook also reflects steady expansion, with regional GDP estimated at around $3.8 trillion in 2025 and projected to exceed $4 trillion in 2026.

Within this growth environment, family businesses are increasingly transitioning from traditional ownership models to more structured and expansion-driven strategies, including acquisitions, public listings of subsidiaries, and international market entry.

The Gulf Cooperation Council continues to dominate the ranking with the majority share of companies, reaffirming the region’s strong concentration of large family business groups, while also reflecting the wider geographic spread of influential enterprises across the Arab world.