Aramco and ADNOC remain most valuable Middle East brands

Aramco and ADNOC continue to top the list of the Middle East most valuable brands for the seventh year running, according to the Middle East 150 2026 report from Brand Finance

Aramco retains its position as the Middle East’s most valuable brand for the seventh consecutive year, recording a 14% increase in brand value to US$47.3bn. Its continued strength reflects the benefits of scale, strategic investment, and the ability to evolve beyond traditional oil production. Key milestones in 2025 included progress towards its gas production growth target, global retail expansion, advancement of its petrochemical's strategy, and further innovation in carbon capture.

ADNOC saw its brand value rise 11% to US$21.1bn, underlining the resilience of the UAE’s key sectors and the strength of its national energy champion. The brand continues to reinforce its leadership through a combination of large-scale investments, technological innovations (notably AI) and sustainability driven growth. Its reputation as a leading energy brand is further reinforced by its strategic expansion across the value chain, continued investment in lower-carbon solutions, and its role in ensuring energy security while advancing the UAE’s sustainability ambitions.

The Middle East’s most valuable brands continue to demonstrate strong resilience despite geopolitical tensions, oil price fluctuations, supply chain disruptions, and broader macroeconomic pressures, according to the leading brand valuation consultancy. This resilience reflects a combination of scale, sector positioning, and strategic agility, allowing the region’s leading brands to protect value during downturns and accelerate recovery as conditions improve.

The total brand value of the Middle East's top 150 brands now standing at US$280.3bn. The total brand value of Saudi Arabia’s top 100 brands reached US$131.9bn in 2026, marking a 13% year-on-year increase, and reflecting the continued momentum of Vision 2030, as diversification efforts and sustained investment in non-oil sectors strengthen the Kingdom’s economic resilience. While the UAE’s top 50 brands increased in value by 17% year-on-year to US$104.5bn, supported by continued growth across oil and gas, banking, telecoms, real estate and manufacturing.

stc (brand value up 9% to USD17.6 billion) holds its position as the third most valuable brand in the region in 2026, reflecting the sustained execution of its Masterbrand strategy, which has successfully extended the brand beyond traditional telecommunications into high-growth adjacencies, including fintech, cybersecurity, cloud, and IT services.

Four banking brands, QNB, Al Rajhi Bank, SNB, Emirates NBD and FAB, rank among the region’s top 10 most valuable brands reflects a combination of strong capitalisation, diversified income streams, digital transformation, international expansion, and sustained customer trust.

Saudi Energy, which rebranded from Saudi Electricity Company in February 2026, has been identified as a brand to watch. The brand's value grew 25% to US$2.4bn, reflecting strong underlying business performance as Saudi Arabia's national electricity provider. The rebrand repositions the organisation beyond its traditional utility identity, towards a broader role as a national energy systems enabler supporting the Kingdom's long-term economic transformation.

The healthcare sector is emerging as one of the fastest-growing segments, with King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSHRC) (brand value at US$1.7bn) recognised as the region’s leading healthcare brand by brand value.

Savio D’Souza, managing director Middle East and Africa, Brand Finance, commented, “The 2026 results send a clear message: the Middle East’s leading brands are not simply weathering uncertainty; they are built to navigate it. With total brand value reaching US$245.3bn, the data reflects a region defined by structural strength, strategic discipline, and the ability to adapt quickly to changing market conditions. The brands performing best are those combining scale, sector resilience, and long-term investment with the agility to respond decisively during periods of volatility.”