UAE secures top spot for most influential real estate company leaders in region by 2026: Forbes

The real estate market in the Middle East continues to experience remarkable growth, fuelled by the expansion of infrastructure projects and rising investments in non-oil sectors.

For the third year in a row, Forbes Middle East has spotlighted the region's most influential real estate leaders, recognizing a distinguished group of developers driving the transformation of cities and large-scale projects.

The rankings were compiled over several months, utilising diverse criteria such as years of experience, the financial valuation of completed and ongoing projects, company data including assets and revenues (when available), the size of landholdings, and the number of real estate units owned by each company.

The list highlights 47 prominent business leaders from the UAE, followed by 21 from Saudi Arabia and 17 from Egypt, shedding light on the sustained dominance of these countries in regional real estate activity. At the top of the ranking for the second year in a row is Hussain Sajwani, founder and chairman of Damac Properties.

Second place is held by Mohamed Alabbar, founder and managing director of Emaar Properties.

Under his leadership, Damac has strengthened its global collaborations, with its latest initiative being the Chelsea Residences project in partnership with Chelsea Football Club. Second place is held by Mohamed Alabbar, founder and managing director of Emaar Properties, while third place goes to Talal Al Dhiyabi, CEO of Aldar Group. Notably, all three leaders are based in the UAE, underscoring the nation's role as a prime hub for real estate innovation and investment in the region.

The list also features 11 billionaires with a total net worth of $39.4 billion, emphasizing the vital contribution of the real estate sector to regional wealth creation.

Strategic partnerships and high-profile branded developments are reshaping the industry landscape, with developers increasingly joining forces with global brands. For instance, Binghatti Holding, spearheaded by Mohamed Binghatti (ranked 8th), ventured into real estate in early 2020 and unveiled plans for an ambitious $8 billion project, Mercedes-Benz Places by Binghatti. This development, set to span over 10 million square meters, is scheduled for completion in 2026.

Talal Al Dhiyabi, CEO of Aldar Group, is ranked third in the list.

The rankings showcase a mix of established powerhouses alongside rising startups. Holding the title of the oldest developer on the list is Madinet Nasr Housing and Development, led by CEO and Managing Director Abdullah Sallam. Founded in 1959, it stands in contrast to One Real Estate Development from the UAE, established in 2023 by Chairman Ali Al Jubaili, marking it as the newest entrant.

In furthering conversations around industry growth, Forbes Middle East plans to host the second edition of its "Building the Future" summit in Abu Dhabi on June 23-24, 2026. This event will bring together a curated selection of influential leaders and executives from the Middle East's real estate sector to discuss its evolving potential and future opportunities.