MENA region's most influential CEOs of 2025
Gulf Business
recognises the 30 most influential CEOs across the MENA region. These business leaders are driving innovation, accelerating growth, and reshaping industries through bold strategies and decisive leadership.
Our editorial team followed a structured and transparent methodology to curate this list. Each CEO leads an organisation with a strong regional presence, consistent business performance, and a visible brand footprint across MENA and beyond. The evaluation considered several key factors, including leadership during challenging periods, long-term strategic vision, industry influence, and public visibility through media and thought leadership.
Representing a wide spectrum of sectors such as energy, finance, technology, real estate, and consumer goods, these CEOs are not only navigating complex market dynamics but also setting new benchmarks for excellence. Their impact extends beyond balance sheets, influencing policy, talent, and innovation across the region.
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Net Profit for the 6 months period of 2025 reached 7,472 million with an increase of 13.38% as compared to the comparable period last year. stc distributes 0.55 per share for the 2nd quarter of 2025, in accordance with the dividends distribution policy approved by General Assembly. Commenting on the results, Eng. Olayan Alwetaid, CEO of stc Group, stated that the Group continued to deliver excellent performance through its commitment to its strategy and success in capitalizing on available opportunities within the ICT sector. He pointed out that the focus on financial discipline and improving the efficiency of capital management were key factors in supporting business stability, enhancing the Group's readiness to adapt to changes, and expanding into future growth avenues with confidence and sustainability. This was reflected in the Group's financial performance, as stc achieved revenue growth of 2.1% during the first six months of the year, and an increase in gross profit by 6.6%, compared to the same period last year. Additionally, the Cost Efficiency Program contributed effectively to enhancing operational and financial efficiency, which positively impacted the company's performance, resulting in EBITDA growth of 6.1% with an increase in EBITDA margin by 3.9% to reach 31.8%, which in turn led to a notable increase in net profit by 13.4%, reaching 7.5 billion. The GCEO also emphasized that the growing demand for the Group's services is a testament to the community's trust in the efficiency of its digital solutions. 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