12-05-2025
8 Qatari families named among Forbes Middle East's Top 100 Arab Family Businesses 2025
Forbes Middle East has revealed its Top 100 Arab Family Businesses 2025 list, featuring eight Qatari families recognized for their lasting influence and financial success across industries like hospitality, retail, and manufacturing. This highlights Qatar's growing impact on the regional economy.
The list showcases 33 companies from Saudi Arabia, 32 from the U.A.E., and eight from Qatar.
#9 - Al Faisal Holding - Founder & Chairman: Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani
Al Faisal Holding was established in 1964 to trade in automotive parts. Today, the group operates across various sectors, including real estate, hospitality, trading, and construction. Its subsidiary, the Al Rayan Tourism Investment Company, owns over 35 hotels across the Middle East, North Africa, Europe, and North America. In November 2024, the company established Al Faisal Al Baladi Holding Group to operate in distribution, retail, manufacturing, F&B, and hospitality. Al Faisal Holding's chairman, Al Thani, had a net worth of $1.8 billion as of April 2025.
#10 - Power International Holding (PIH) - Group Chairman; President & Group CEO: Moutaz Al Khayyat; Ramez Al Khayyat
PIH has over 400 companies across 19 countries operating in energy, concessions and construction, healthcare, professional services and contracting industries, agriculture, and food industries, among others. Its subsidiaries include UCC Holding, Estithmar Holding, Baladna, Assets Group, Aura Group, and TMT Group. In November 2024, PIH began the Zliten Power Plant Project in Libya by URBACON HOLDING, in partnership with Elsewedy Electric and the General Electricity Company of Libya. In January 2025, it completed the full acquisition of Mobile Telecom-Service LLP from Kazakhtelecom in Kazakhstan.
#32 - Darwish Holding - Chairman & Managing Director: Bader Al-Darwish
Darwish Holding was founded in the early 1900s in Qatar. Today, the group encompasses nine divisions, including real estate, stock market, retail, wholesale, malls, and technology. In 2024, the group expanded its real estate portfolio with new commercial and residential projects across Qatar. Fifty One East, the retail arm of Darwish Holding, is among the largest department store chains in Qatar, housing luxury brands such as Rolex, CHANEL, Boucheron, L'Oréal, and Sony, some of which have been represented by the group since the late 1940s.
#57 - Alfardan Group - Chairman: Hussein Ibrahim Alfardan
Founded in 1954 by Hussain Ibrahim Alfardan, Alfardan Group has grown into one of the most prominent family conglomerates in the GCC, it operates in jewellery, exchange, property, automotive, hospitality, investment, marine services, medical, and agriculture. In September 2024, it launched Athar, its first Group-wide sustainability strategy.
#74 - AbuIssa Holding - Chairman: Ashraf Abu Issa
AbuIssa Holding was established in 1981 by the late Abdul Rahim Abu Issa. The group operates over 100 retail stores and more than 10 distribution firms. It holds majority stakes in over 30 companies spanning sectors such as contracting, electronics, ICT and security, interior design, hospitality, and marketing. The group's portfolio includes developments like Kinza, a beverage launched in January 2024, and major distribution expansions through Palais Royal and Unipharm. Its auction arm, Al Bahie, recently broke a global carpet sales record.
#81 - Almuftah Group - Chairman: Abdulrahman bin Muftah Al-Muftah
Almuftah Group began selling gramophone records in 1963 and now spans manufacturing, trading, contracting, international schools, services, and F&B. In September 2024, it broke ground on a new English Modern School campus in Al Wakrah, set to open in 2026. In October 2024, it started construction of an Almuftah Jewellery showroom, and in November 2024 inaugurated its Aqua Plastic Factory.
#82 - Almana Group - Vice Chairman: Saoud Omar H.A. Almana
Founded in 1960 in Qatar, Almana Group operates in 10+ sectors, runs 30 businesses, and represents 100+ international brands, such as Coca‑Cola, Ford, Jeep, and Hertz. In 2024, Qatar Galvanizing, an Almana subsidiary, painted sections of the $22 million North Field expansion, and Saudi Arabia's $25.6 million Neom Project. In January 2025, Insulation Engineering Company JV'd with Al Tamimi Contracting to form an industrial‑services firm.
Founded over 50 years ago by Mohamed Bin Hamad Abdullah J. Al Thani, MBHH operates in healthcare, hotels, real estate, travel & tourism, petrochemicals, F&B, and facilities management. MBHH also has Doha Clinic Hospital, one of Qatar's first fully-integrated private hospitals. In March 2025, its travel and tourism arm, Trans Orient, signed an agreement with Somon Air to launch Qatar–Tajikistan flights.
