The combined wealth of Arab billionaires has risen to $138.7bn in 2026, an increase of 8% from a year earlier, even though the number of billionaires in the region has slightly fallen, according to the latest global ranking by Forbes and Forbes Middle East.
The list counts 37 billionaires across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) this year, down from 39 in 2025. Despite the decline, their total wealth grew by $10.3bn, from $128.4bn last year to $138.7bn in 2026.
The figures contrast with global trends. Worldwide, Forbes recorded 3,428 billionaires, about 400 more than a year earlier, with their combined wealth reaching $20.1tn, compared with $16.1tn in 2025.
The richest Arab on the list remains Saudi investor Alwaleed Bin Talal Alsaud, whose fortune is estimated at $19.9bn, up from $16.5bn a year earlier.
He is followed by Emirati businessman Hussain Sajwani, founder and chairman of DAMAC Properties, whose wealth increased to $15.3bn, compared with $10.2bn in 2025.
Saudi healthcare entrepreneur Sulaiman Al Habib ranks third with an estimated $10.2bn fortune.
Morocco is the fifth country in the MENA region by number of billionaires, behind Saudi Arabia (12), the United Arab Emirates (7), and both Egypt and Lebanon (six each).
Three Moroccan businessmen appear in the ranking.
Banker Othman Benjelloun, chief executive of Bank of Africa (Morocco), is the country’s richest figure on the list with $1.7bn, placing him 27th among Arab billionaires.
He is closely followed by Moroccan prime minister and businessman Aziz Akhannouch, whose fortune is estimated at $1.6bn, ranking 28th.
Property developer Anas Sefrioui completes the Moroccan trio with $1.3bn.
The final places in the Arab billionaire ranking include Qatar with two billionaires and Algeria with three.
Algeria’s richest representative is industrialist Issad Rebrab, whose estimated wealth of $3.6bn places him 12th in the Arab ranking.
