Ten family-owned business groups from Qatar have been listed among the Forbes Middle East Top 100 Arab Family Businesses for 2026, underscoring the significant role these enterprises play in the regional economy. The ranking highlights Qatari firms such as Power International Holding, Al Faisal Holding, Al Darwish Holding, Alfardan Group, Abu Issa Holding, Mohammed Bin Hamad Holding, Al Muftah Group, Al Mana Group, Al Jaidah Group, and Marzooq Shamlan Al Shamlan Group.
Forbes Middle East’s evaluation of family businesses is based on a comprehensive set of financial and operational criteria. These include the scale of family investments, subsidiary and listed company valuations, real estate and hospitality assets, and revenue from diversified holdings. The ranking also considers recent business developments such as new investments, acquisitions, initial public offerings (IPOs), market expansions, workforce size, geographic reach, sector diversity, and the longevity of the family enterprises.
Power International Holding, led by brothers Motaz and Ramez Al Khayyat, emerged as the top-ranked Qatari company, placing seventh across the entire Arab region. The group’s activities span infrastructure, real estate, and multiple diversified sectors. Al Faisal Holding, chaired by Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani, followed closely, ranking eighth regionally and second nationally, reflecting its broad investment portfolio and established presence.
Other Qatari firms featured prominently include Al Darwish Holding, which took third place nationally and 28th regionally; Alfardan Group, ranked fourth in Qatar and 58th in the Arab world; and Abu Issa Holding, coming in fifth nationally and 70th regionally. Mohammed Bin Hamad Holding earned sixth place in Qatar and 73rd regionally, while Al Muftah Group ranked seventh nationally and 77th across the region. Al Mana Group, Al Jaidah Group, and Marzooq Shamlan Al Shamlan Group rounded out the Qatari representatives, positioned eighth, ninth, and tenth nationally and placed between 78th and 94th in the broader Arab ranking.
The report highlights the enduring importance of family-owned enterprises as foundational contributors to the Middle East and North Africa economy. These businesses continue to drive investment, create jobs, and support sector diversification in areas such as energy, construction, retail, healthcare, logistics, financial services, and real estate.
Looking ahead, regional economic projections indicate steady growth, with the Arab world’s GDP estimated at approximately $3.8 trillion in 2025 and expected to surpass $4 trillion in 2026. Against this backdrop, family businesses are increasingly adopting more structured strategies aimed at expansion, including acquisitions, public listings, and entering international markets.
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries maintain a dominant position in the ranking, reflecting the concentration of large, influential family-owned groups in the region, while the list also represents a broad geographic distribution of prominent family enterprises across the Arab world.