Dubai 100: From ABtalks to Multiply, the faces of influence are changing
The 2025 Dubai 100 has its familiar names. Mohamed Alabbar, still at #1. Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair, now at #2. Sir Tim Clark, holding his position as one of aviation's most important figures. But what makes this year's list different isn't who's stayed. It's who's joined.
Anas Bukhash, media entrepreneur and host of ABtalks, is now a top-10 figure. That's not just a nod to audience size – it's a recognition of impact. Bukhash builds platforms that don't just inform – they shape how people across the region see identity, success, and ambition. His rise signals a broader truth: today, media presence is not secondary. It's central.
Alongside him is Balqees Fathi, an Emirati-Yemeni artist, businesswoman, and cultural voice. Like Bukhash, her power doesn't sit neatly in a job title. It lives in her ability to engage millions, launch ventures, and move seamlessly between entertainment and entrepreneurship.
Tech leaders are also taking up more space. Tomaso Rodriguez at Talabat and Magnus Olsson at Careem are part of a group that doesn't just run companies – they help shape how Dubai moves, orders, and connects. Their influence is embedded in the daily routines of the city.
Then there's the public sector. Names like Helal Al Marri and Abdulla Al Karam now rank prominently not just because of their titles, but because of their execution. These leaders are driving reforms in tourism, education, and mobility – and doing it in partnership with private players. It's not symbolic collaboration. It's structural.
The demographic story matters, too. Nearly half of the list is made up of expatriates. One in four are under 45. This isn't a footnote – it's a signal. Dubai's idea of leadership is widening to reflect its population: diverse, ambitious, and deeply international.
What the Dubai 100 makes clear is that the old lines – between sectors, between roles, between public and private – are fading. What's emerging instead is a new set of builders. People who move across industries, shape audiences, and create momentum. This is what influence looks like in Dubai today – and it's already pointing to what 2026 may bring.
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