Khaled Yousef Alshamlan, CEO of Kuwait Finance House (KFH) Group, has been recognized as the leading sustainability figure in Kuwait’s banking sector and ranked seventh across the Middle East on Forbes Middle East’s Sustainability Leaders list for 2026. The announcement was made during an awards ceremony held on October 20 in Abu Dhabi under the patronage of H.E. Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment.
The Sustainability Leaders list acknowledges executives who have made significant strides in advancing sustainability agendas and shaping the strategic direction of major companies across various sectors in the region. This year’s list comprises 145 leaders from 17 industries, including banking, energy, financial services, healthcare, renewable energy, technology, and transportation.
Under Alshamlan’s leadership, KFH Group has expanded its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives, notably growing its ESG sukuk investment portfolio to $2.38 billion in 2025. Sustainable and green sukuk investments reached approximately $1.2 billion that year, marking a 30.7% increase compared to 2024, with 44% allocated to sustainable sukuk and 56% to green sukuk. These developments reflect KFH’s role in promoting sustainable finance within Islamic financial markets.
KFH established its ESG sustainability program in 2025, aiming to reach carbon neutrality across its operations by 2060. This target is supported by an executive roadmap covering the period from 2025 to 2030. The bank’s sustainability efforts align with Kuwait Vision 2035 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The institution has earned an “A” rating on the MSCI ESG Index by Morgan Stanley and was listed on the FTSE4Good Global Sustainability Index, underscoring its commitment and performance in sustainable finance. In addition, KFH secured Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification for five of its branches as of early 2026. The KFH Auto showroom also received the Gold Level Sustainability Assessment Certificate (GSAS), positioning KFH as the first bank in Kuwait to achieve this honor.
KFH’s sustainability agenda extends beyond financial investments. The bank collaborates with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and operates a “Business Sustainability Program” aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), designed to promote competitive advantages and entrepreneurship with a focus on sustainable development. The “Keep It Green” initiative further supports environmental protection and carbon emission reduction efforts.
Additionally, KFH is the first institution in Kuwait to issue impact measurement reports and to publish annual Sustainability and Carbon Footprint Reports. These reports provide detailed insights and plans to reduce carbon emissions, highlighting measures to minimize activities detrimental to environmental protection, consistent with global climate change initiatives. Meshal Alshayee, KFH Head of Group Compliance and Governance, accepted the award on behalf of Alshamlan at the Abu Dhabi ceremony.