UAE dominates Forbes Middle East’s Most Impactful Real Estate Leaders 2026 list
DAMAC’s Hussain Sajwani secures number one position again
DUBAI – Forbes Middle East has unveiled the third annual edition of its Most Impactful Real Estate Leaders ranking, highlighting the developers and executives driving some of the Middle East’s biggest urban transformation projects.
The 2026 list reflects the continued momentum of the regional property sector, with luxury developments, branded residences and large-scale mixed-use communities reshaping skylines across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Qatar.
UAE-based leaders dominated the ranking with 47 entries, reinforcing the country’s position as the region’s leading real estate hub.
The ranking was compiled over several months using a range of criteria, including years of industry experience, the value of completed and ongoing developments, company revenues and assets where available, as well as landbank size and the number of units held.
UAE takes the lead
Claiming the top position for the second consecutive year is Hussain Sajwani, founder and chairman of DAMAC Properties. The company has continued to expand its portfolio and international partnerships, most recently unveiling Chelsea Residences in collaboration with .
Second place went to Mohamed Alabbar, founder and managing director of Emaar Properties, while Talal Al Dhiyebi, Group CEO of Aldar, ranked third.
The top three positions being occupied by UAE-based executives reinforced the country’s standing as the region’s leading property and investment hub, amid continued expansion in residential, commercial and mixed-use developments.
The ranking also underscored the wealth being generated by the sector. According to Forbes Middle East, 11 billionaires featured on the list with a combined net worth of $39.4 billion.
Mega projects
Several large-scale partnerships and branded developments featured prominently in this year’s ranking.
Abdullah bin Hamad Al Attiya, who ranked seventh, oversaw one of the region’s biggest announced agreements after Qatari Diar signed a $29.7 billion deal with Egypt’s to develop the Alam Al-Roum area on Egypt’s Mediterranean coast.
Meanwhile, Muhammad BinGhatti, ranked eighth on the list, launched Mercedes-Benz Places | Binghatti City earlier in 2026. The project is valued at $8 billion and spans more than 10 million square metres.
The ranking also reflects the diversity of the region’s property landscape, bringing together long-established developers and rapidly growing newcomers.
Egypt’s Madinet Masr for Housing & Development, led by President and CEO Abdallah Sallam, was identified as the oldest developer on the list, having been established in 1959.
At the other end of the spectrum, the UAE’s ONE Development, led by founder and chairman Ali Al Gebely, was recognised as the youngest company featured, having launched in 2023.
Top rankings
The top 10 list includes some of the region’s most recognised real estate executives and developers across the UAE, Egypt and Qatar.
Alongside Sajwani, Alabbar and Al Dhiyebi, the ranking featured Hesham Talaat Moustafa of Talaat Moustafa Group Holding in fourth place, followed by Hesham Al Qassim of Wasl Asset Management Group.
Khalid Al Malik of Dubai Holding Real Estate secured sixth place, while PNC Menon of Sobha Group ranked ninth.
Rounding out the top 10 was Bill O'Regan of Modon Holding.
To continue discussions surrounding the future of urban development and the evolving property market, Forbes Middle East is set to host the second edition of its Building The Future Summit in Abu Dhabi on June 23 and 24, 2026.