Forbes: fewer Arab billionaires but greater combined wealth in 2026
The latest global billionaire ranking published by Forbes reveals that although the number of Arab billionaires has slightly declined, their total wealth has grown significantly over the past year.
According to the report, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region now counts 37 Arab billionaires in 2026, compared with 39 the previous year. Despite this drop, their combined fortune has reached $138.7 billion, marking an 8% increase from the $128.4 billion recorded in 2025.
Globally, the billionaire population continues to expand. The world now has 3,428 billionaires, including 400 new entrants compared with last year, with a combined wealth estimated at $20.1 trillion, up from $16.1 trillion a year earlier.
At the top of the Arab wealth ranking compiled by Forbes Middle East, Saudi Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Al Saud remains the richest Arab, with an estimated fortune of $19.9 billion, up from $16.5 billion in 2025.
He is followed by Emirati businessman Hussain Sajwani, founder and chairman of DAMAC Properties, whose wealth has risen to $15.3 billion, compared with $10.2 billion last year.
The third position is held by Saudi healthcare entrepreneur Sulaiman Al Habib, whose fortune is estimated at $10.2 billion.
Moroccan Billionaires in the ranking
Morocco ranks fifth among MENA countries with the highest number of billionaires, behind Saudi Arabia (12 billionaires), United Arab Emirates (7), as well as Egypt and Lebanon with six each.
Three Moroccan business figures appear in the list. Banker Othman Benjelloun ranks 27th among Arab billionaires, with an estimated net worth of $1.7 billion. He is the CEO of Bank of Africa.
He is closely followed by Moroccan businessman and politician Aziz Akhannouch, ranked 28th with $1.6 billion, while real estate developer Anas Sefrioui completes the Moroccan trio with an estimated $1.3 billion fortune.
The ranking also includes billionaires from Qatar and Algeria. In Algeria’s case, industrialist Issad Rebrab stands out with $3.6 billion, placing him 12th among the richest Arabs.
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