Dr. Gil Feiler
Saudi Arabia has re-emerged as a leading hub for high-net-worth individuals in the Arab world. In 2025, 15 Saudi nationals appeared on the Forbes World’s Billionaires list, collectively worth approximately USD 55.8 billion, the highest number and wealth total among Arab countries.
The Top Ten Wealthiest Saudis (2025)
1. Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal – Net Worth: ~$16.5 billion
Prince Alwaleed stands as the richest Saudi and one of the wealthiest Arabs globally. His fortune is anchored in Kingdom Holding Company, an investment conglomerate with stakes in global assets — including hospitality (Four Seasons hotels), media, technology, and previously social media investments.
2. Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib – Net Worth: ~$10.9 billion
Founder of the Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Group, his wealth stems from healthcare services and hospitals, reflecting growing demand for private healthcare in the Middle East.
3. Emad Al Muhaidib – Net Worth: ~$3.8 billion
Part of the Al Muhaidib Group, Emad’s fortune comes from diversified holdings spanning manufacturing, construction services, and industrial materials.
4. Essam Al Muhaidib – Net Worth: ~$3.6 billion
Also a principal in the Al Muhaidib family business, Essam’s wealth is similarly diversified across key industrial sectors.
5. The Abu-Nayyan family. Net Worth: ~$3.2 billion. Abu Nayyan Holding is a large Saudi business group with diversified business interests spanning several sectors, including investment, asset management, healthcare, and infrastructure. They partner with other major Saudi conglomerates on strategic projects, like Vision Industries, which focuses on industrial and renewable energy investments in the Middle East.
6. Acwa Power is a major Saudi energy and water utility company focused on power generation, water desalination, and renewable projects. It operates across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. 
It was founded in 2004 and has grown into one of the region’s largest power project developers. 
Major Shareholders of Acwa Power
According to the latest company shareholding data:
The Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) — the Kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund — is the largest shareholder, owning around 42.5 % of the company. 
Vision International Investment Co. holds ~22 %. 
Mohammad Abunayyan — the chairman and one of the founders owns a smaller stake (roughly 3-3.5 %), but is a key figure in the business. 
So Acwa Power’s ownership is dominated by institutional and investment holders rather than one single “rich Saudi owner.”
7. Abdullah Al Othaim – Net Worth: ~$2.5 billion
Founder of Abdullah Al Othaim Markets, a leading grocery and retail chain in Saudi Arabia.
8. Abdullah bin Sulaiman Al Rajhi – Net Worth: ~$2.5 billion
Chairman and influential figure in Al Rajhi Bank, one of the largest Islamic banks globally.
9. Abdullah Amer Al Nahdi – Net Worth: ~$2.3 billion
Founder and vice chairman of Al-Nahdi Medical Company, Saudi Arabia’s largest pharmacy network.
10. Waleed bin Ibrahim Al Ibrahim – Net Worth: ~$1.4 billion
Founder and chairman of the Middle East Broadcasting Center (MBC Group), a major regional media network.
While Forbes lists additional Saudi billionaires beyond the top ten, including entrepreneurs in pharmaceuticals and sports leisure sectors, these ten individuals illustrate the range of industries that support high-net-worth position in the Kingdom.
Characteristics of Wealth in Saudi Arabia
Sectoral Concentration and Diversification:
Saudi wealth among the richest individuals spans traditional sectors such as investment holdings, healthcare, retail, banking, and energy infrastructure. Unlike some economies where tech dominates billionaire ranks, Saudi Arabia’s wealth remains anchored in diversified industrial groups, healthcare services, retail networks, and financial institutions.
Role of Conglomerates and Family Businesses:
Many of the richest Saudis are tied to long-established family conglomerates or business groups that have grown through vertical and horizontal integration. For example, the Al Muhaidib family’s presence across multiple industrial sectors and the prominence of Al Rajhi in Islamic banking reflect how legacy family enterprises shape national wealth structures.
Healthcare and Retail Growth:
The appearance of healthcare magnates such as Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib and pharmacy retail leaders like Abdullah Amer Al Nahdi highlights growth in services linked to population health and consumer demand. Social and demographic shifts have elevated private healthcare and retail sectors as profitable arenas for large-scale wealth accumulation.
Re-Emergence of Saudi Billionaires:
For years, Saudi billionaires were largely absent from Forbes’ global list due to difficulties in assessing asset transparency. The 2025 ranking represents a re-introduction of Saudi billionaires after nearly eight years, enabled by increased clarity in corporate ownership and a surge of initial public offerings (IPOs) on the Saudi Exchange.
Conclusion
The top ten richest Saudis in 2025 illustrate the interplay between traditional business empires, diversified industrial portfolios, and evolving sectors such as healthcare and retail. Saudi Arabia’s wealth landscape is distinctive in that it balances legacy family enterprises with emerging corporate transparency and capital market development. These factors demonstrate both continuity and transformation within the Kingdom’s economic elite, reflecting broader trends in wealth accumulation across the Middle East.
