Middle Eastern brands strengthened their presence in the world’s most valuable corporate names list in 2026, with new data showing most of the region’s entries delivered double-digit growth despite broader economic uncertainty.
A total of 12 Middle Eastern brands feature in the Brand Finance Global 500 2026 rankings, and two thirds of them recorded double-digit increases in brand value, according to the latest report from Brand Finance, the brand valuation consultancy.
The results underline the growing international profile of the region’s largest companies, led by energy groups in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, alongside airlines, telecoms and financial services firms that have expanded in scale and influence.
Aramco and ADNOC again topped the Middle East cohort, benefiting from firm oil prices, continued spending on energy infrastructure and international expansion strategies. Saudi energy giant Aramco posted a 14% increase in brand value to USD47.3 billion, while Abu Dhabi’s ADNOC rose 11% to USD21.1 billion.
Brand Finance said the two companies are being supported by strategic moves in downstream operations and overseas markets, as Gulf producers seek to build resilience and diversify revenue streams.
Aramco strengthened its global footprint during 2025 by completing a USD3 billion international sukuk issuance, which the company said reflected strong investor demand. It also signed 17 memoranda of understanding and agreements with major US companies valued at more than USD30 billion, aimed at supporting strategic energy and advanced materials initiatives.
ADNOC, meanwhile, set out a USD150 billion capital expenditure plan for 2026 to 2030, highlighting its investment ambitions as it expands production capacity and develops new projects. The company also secured a gas pre-production export financing transaction of up to USD11 billion to advance its Hail and Ghasa gas development, and broadened its green financing portfolio with a USD2 billion sustainability-linked facility.
Savio D’Souza, Managing Director Middle East and Africa, Brand Finance, said the performance of the region’s leading names points to a wider shift in how Middle Eastern corporates are positioning themselves internationally.
“The region’s most valuable and strongest brands continue to increase their presence on the global stage. The region is leveraging its natural strengths into broader economic, soft power and brand influence through its champion brands across diverse sectors.”
Beyond energy, Saudi telecoms group stc maintained its position as the region’s strongest brand in the Global 500, as well as the most valuable telecom brand in the Middle East for the sixth consecutive year.
The stc brand increased its value by 9% to USD17.6 billion and ranked ninth among the world’s most valuable telecom brands. It also achieved a Brand Strength Index (BSI) score of 88.6 out of 100 and retained an AAA brand strength rating.
Brand Finance linked the performance to a year of sustained momentum in 2025, driven by expansion into fintech and IT services through a combination of organic growth, mergers and acquisitions, and partnerships. The group’s progress was supported by continued investment in innovation, alongside a focus on operational and financial strength.
The report said stc’s growth has been shaped not only by financial performance but by ecosystem development and international collaboration, positioning the company as a digital enabler aligned with national transformation programmes such as Vision 2030.
In aviation, Qatar Airways recorded the highest brand value growth among Middle Eastern names in the Global 500, rising 34% to USD5.2 billion. The airline delivered its highest-ever revenue in 2025, up 6% year on year, supported by the continued recovery in global travel demand.
Passenger numbers climbed from 40 million to 43.1 million in 2024/25 as international travel continued to rebound following the pandemic. The group also benefited from its cargo division, with Qatar Airways Cargo reporting around 17% revenue growth, helping offset wider economic uncertainty and volatility in global trade.
Other Middle Eastern brands highlighted in the rankings included QNB, which Brand Finance described as the most valuable bank in the region and the first to break the USD10 billion barrier.
Dubai-based Emirates also strengthened its standing, with brand value rising 27% to USD10.6 billion, making it the leading airline brand from the Middle East in the global ranking. First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) rose 21% to USD5.5 billion and entered the Global 500 2026 list for the first time.
The performance of Middle Eastern brands comes as US technology firms continue to dominate the top of the global table. Apple retained its position as the world’s most valuable brand, growing 6% to USD607.6 billion. Microsoft followed in second place, up 23% to USD565.2 billion, with Google third, up 5% to USD433.1 billion, and Amazon fourth, up 4% to USD369.9 billion.
NVIDIA climbed four places to become the world’s fifth-most valuable brand, with brand value more than doubling since 2025 after rising 110% to USD184.3 billion, reflecting its central role in the global build-out of AI infrastructure.
Brand strength rankings also shifted, with YouTube becoming the world’s strongest brand after achieving a BSI score of 95.3 out of 100. WeChat slipped to second with 95.1, while Microsoft climbed eight places to third with 94.7. All three retained an AAA+ rating.
Revolut was named the fastest-growing brand in the Global 500, as strong branding continued to be cited as a key driver of resilience and innovation across industries.
Brand Finance said its Global 500 rankings draw on assessments of 6,000 major brands worldwide each year, measuring brand value as the net economic benefit a brand owner would achieve by licensing the brand in the open market.
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