5 Wealthiest Arab Families in 2026 UAE’s Sajwanis Top the List With $17.2B
When it comes to building family wealth in the Arab world, success is driven as much by legacy as by strategy. In 2026, the region’s wealthiest families span sectors such as real estate, industry, and investments, amassing fortunes shaped by decades of growth, diversification, and reinvention. Collectively, the top five Arab families command a combined net worth of $58 billion, underscoring the increasing concentration of wealth among the region’s most powerful dynasties.
Leading the ranking is the UAE’s Sajwani family with a total fortune of $17.2 billion—$15.3 billion attributed to Hussain Sajwani, while his son Abbas, a new entrant to the billionaire club, contributes $1.9 billion. Close behind is Egypt’s Sawiris family at $16.6 billion, strengthened by the combined wealth of Nassef, Naguib, and Samih Sawiris. Meanwhile, emerging billionaires like Ibrahim Al Muhaidib have propelled Saudi Arabia’s Al Muhaidib family to $9.2 billion, highlighting how new additions are accelerating multi-generational wealth creation across the region.
Here’s a closer look at the five richest Arab families in 2026, based on Forbes’ World’s Billionaires list, with figures calculated as of March 1, 2026.
1. Sajwani family
Net worth: $17.2 billion
Country: UAE
The Sajwani family stands as the wealthiest in both the Arab world and the UAE in 2026, with a combined fortune of $17.2 billion, largely driven by real estate. At the core is Hussain Sajwani, the second-richest Arab, whose net worth of $15.3 billion has grown significantly since he first entered the billionaire ranks in 2016 with $3.2 billion. His rise is closely tied to DAMAC Properties, the company he founded in 2002, which played a major role in shaping Dubai’s luxury real estate landscape.
The family’s wealth is further strengthened by the next generation. His son, Abbas Sajwani, holds a net worth of $1.9 billion and is the founder of AHS Properties, a Dubai-based luxury developer established in 2021. He initially built his portfolio by flipping high-end villas before shifting focus to luxury towers. In 2025, he acquired the long-vacant “Big Ben” tower for $120 million, with plans to convert it into office space. At just 26, Abbas is the youngest Arab billionaire and among the youngest billionaires globally, reflecting the increasing influence of second-generation entrepreneurs in expanding family wealth. He was also featured on Forbes Middle East’s 30 Under 30 list in 2024.
2. Sawiris family
Net worth: $16.6 billion
Country: Egypt
The Sawiris family ranks as Egypt’s richest and the second-wealthiest in the Arab world, with a combined net worth of $16.6 billion. The family’s fortune is led by Nassef Sawiris at $9.6 billion, followed by his brother Naguib Sawiris with $5.6 billion, and Samih Sawiris with $1.4 billion—highlighting their deep-rooted presence across industries such as engineering and construction, telecommunications, and real estate.
Nassef, the executive chairman of OCI Global—one of the world’s leading nitrogen fertilizer producers—is expected to step down from his current role while remaining on the board as a non-executive director. He is also set to take on the role of chairman of Adidas in May 2026, where he owns a 6% stake.
Naguib serves as executive chairman of Orascom Investment Holding (OIH) and built much of his wealth through telecommunications, particularly via Orascom Telecom Holding (OTH), which merged with VimpelCom (formerly Veon Ltd.) in 2011. Meanwhile, Samih founded Orascom Development Holding (ODH) in 1989, focusing on the development and management of resorts across Egypt, Montenegro, Switzerland, Oman, and other markets. His son, Naguib S. Sawiris, has served as chairman of ODH since May 2022.
3. Al Muhaidib Family
Net worth: $9.2 billion
Country: Saudi Arabia
The Al Muhaidib family of Saudi Arabia ranks as the third-wealthiest Arab family in 2026, with a combined net worth of $9.2 billion. The family’s fortune is led by brothers Emad Al Muhaidib ($2.5 billion), Sulaiman Al Muhaidib ($2.3 billion), and Essam Al Muhaidib ($2.3 billion), along with their cousin Ibrahim Al Muhaidib, who holds $2.1 billion.
Their wealth reflects a diversified portfolio spanning investments and real estate. The three brothers first appeared on Forbes’ World’s Billionaires list in 2025, while Ibrahim joined the rankings in 2026. He serves as chairman of HDB Group, which owns several hotels and towers, including the iconic Tuwaiq Tower in Riyadh. Ibrahim is also the founder of Safwat Al-Muhaidib Dental Company, operating more than 70 branches across Saudi Arabia, and maintains an extensive real estate portfolio across the kingdom. In addition, he briefly served as president of the Saudi football club Al-Nassr in 2024.
4. Mikati family
Net worth: $7.6 billion
Country: Lebanon
The Mikati family of Lebanon ranks as the fourth-wealthiest Arab family in 2026, with a combined net worth of $7.6 billion. The fortune is evenly split between brothers Najib and Taha Mikati, each worth $3.8 billion, underscoring their long-standing influence in the telecommunications sector.
Their entrepreneurial journey began in the early 1980s, when they bought satellite phones and resold them in Beirut for around $50,000 each. In 1982, they founded Investcom, which later expanded across Africa, building telecom infrastructure in countries such as Ghana, Liberia, and Benin. The company went public on the London and Dubai stock exchanges in 2005 before merging with global telecom giant MTN in 2006. The following year, the brothers established M1 Group, which has since grown into a diversified investment conglomerate. As of December 2025, M1 Limited held a 5.94% stake in MTN.
5. Mansour family
Net worth: $7.2 billion
Country: Egypt
