Bahrain is making a significant mark on the Middle East’s sustainability landscape, with four of its top executives named on the Forbes Middle East Sustainability Leaders 2025 list.
The list recognises 126 executives from across 15 industries who are leading the region’s transition to a greener, more resilient future.
The kingdom’s leaders were recognised for their work in banking, telecommunications, manufacturing, and investment.
National Bank of Bahrain (NBB) Group chief executive Usman Ahmed ranked 14th in the ‘Banks’ category. In 2024, NBB achieved a 39 per cent reduction in emissions and opened the country’s first solar-powered branch. The bank also supported a ‘Forever Green’ campaign that planted over 230 trees, launched Bahrain’s first Multiple Sclerosis Centre and supported educational initiatives that reached more than 1,000 young people.
In the ‘Telecom’ category, Beyon chief executive Andrew Kvaalseth was ranked 5th. Under his leadership, Beyon completed the third phase of its solar park project, reaching a total capacity of 3.5 megawatts and reducing carbon emissions by more than 4,000 tonnes annually. The company also deployed robotic solar panel cleaners, which saved 200,000 litres of water per year and improved panel efficiency by 14pc.
Last year, it also launched a fully green mobile site that cut 280 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually. Renewable energy accounted for 29pc of the company’s total electricity use in 2024, while recycled waste rose 5.73pc to 109,475kg.
Alba chief executive Ali Al Baqali ranked 5th in the ‘Manufacturing and Industrials’ category. In a notable first for the Middle East, Alba adopted an AI-powered analytics platform to boost efficiency. The company also launched EternAl-AC, a low-carbon aluminium series that incorporates verified carbon offsets.
Meanwhile, Investcorp executive chairman Mohammed Alardhi was ranked 7th in the ‘Investment and Holding Companies’ category. The Bahrain-based firm reported an 8pc reduction in its Scope 1 and 2 emissions in fiscal year 2024 and a 57pc cut in total reported emissions since 2019. Investcorp also launched its ‘Climate Quicktakes’ programme to educate employees on climate change.
In the banking sector, First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) Group chief executive Hana Al Rostamani tops the list. She is joined by TAQA Group chief executive and managing director Jasim Thabet who leads the ‘Energy and Utilities’ category. Almarai chief executive Abdullah Albader is the top leader for ‘Food and Agriculture’, while Public Investment Fund (PIF) governor Yasir Al Rumayyan leads the ‘Investment and Holding Companies’ category.
SNB Capital chief executive Rashed Sharif tops the ranking in ‘Financial Services’ and Majid Al Futtaim Holding chief executive Ahmed Ismail is the leader in ‘Family Business’.
In ‘Healthcare’, Aster DM Healthcare founder chairman Azad Moopen is recognised, and NMDC Group chief executive Yasser Zaghloul leads the ‘Manufacturing and Industrials’ category. The ‘Oil and Gas’ sector is headed by Saudi Aramco president and chief executive Amin Nasser while Aldar Properties Group chief executive Talal Al Dhiyebi is the top leader in ‘Real Estate and Construction’.
In the ‘Renewable Energy’ sector, Masdar chief executive Mohamed Al Ramahi is the top leader. He is joined by e& Group chief executive Hatem Dowidar in the ‘Telecom’ category, and DP World Group chairman and chief executive Sultan bin Sulayem for ‘Transport and Logistics’.
Emirates Airline and Group chairman and chief executive Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum is the leader in ‘Travel and Tourism’, while Saudi Investment Recycling Company (SIRC) Group chief executive Ziyad AlShiha leads the ‘Waste Management’ sector.
For this year’s ranking, Forbes Middle East gathered information from questionnaires, sustainability or ESG reports, official disclosures, and recent news. Each sector was assessed separately, and initiatives were horizontally compared with special weight given to sector-specific efforts. The UAE leads with 67 entries, followed by Saudi Arabia with 23 and Egypt with 12.
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