Forbes Middle East’s 30 Under 30 just spotlighted some of UAE’s most ambitious

Forbes Middle East has dropped its highly-anticipated 30 Under 30 list, shining a spotlight on young innovators and disruptors making waves across the region.

The honorees span a range of fields, including technology, sports, arts, and finance, with a strong representation from the UAE.

Here are just a few of the standout names:

Sara Alkhoori – 28, Researcher at Khalifa University

Sara Alkhoori

Emirati Sara Alkhoori, a recent PhD graduate from Abu Dhabi's Khalifa University, specializes in materials science and engineering, focusing on catalysis for sustainable fuel production.

Her research explores creating biofuels from renewable resources, such as palm oil, with an emphasis on designing catalysts for the deoxygenation process essential to converting palm oil into carbon-neutral fuels.

She has filed a provisional patent application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and co-authored 15 scientific journal articles.

Additionally, Alkhoori serves as a nominated technical advisor for synchrotron-related initiatives in the UAE under the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology.

Eisa Alhabib – 29, Influencer & Founder of Majarah Media

Kuwaiti influencer Eisa Alhabib is the creator and host of ishra7li, a platform launched in early 2021 to celebrate the diversity of the Arab world through compelling stories about culture, tradition, and lesser-known facts.

The series has garnered over a billion views across social media platforms. Alhabib commands a significant online presence, boasting over a million Instagram followers and 1.5 million YouTube subscribers.

UAE-based Eisa has collaborated with major organizations and government entities on educational and awareness campaigns, including initiatives for the World Government Summit, COP28, Expo 2020, the Qatar World Cup, and Dubai's RTA.

In 2017, Alhabib earned international recognition, winning the JCS International Young Creatives Award at the International Emmy Awards for his short film Domestic Cycle.

EZOW – 24, Emirati artist

EZOW, a trailblazing Emirati hip-hop artist who performs in English, has made significant strides in the music scene.

In December 2023, he performed at the Coca-Cola Arena for an audience of 17,000, sharing the stage with global stars Chris Brown and Sean Kingston.

In 2020, EZOW was appointed as a Youth Goodwill Ambassador for IIMSAM, promoting its mission and advancing the United Nations' Decade of Action 2020-2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

Additionally, he represented the luxury fashion brand AMIRI, founded by Mike Amiri in 2014, as a brand ambassador.

Saleh El Nawawy – 28, Comedian

Egyptian filmmaker and content creator Saleh El Nawawy has gained regional recognition for his stand-up comedy and engaging social media sketches.

His work cleverly portrays Arab life with humor and sarcasm, all while maintaining cultural sensitivity, which resonates with both local and global audiences.

El Nawawy is well-known for collaborating with other content creators and achieved significant success with three sold-out stand-up shows at Roxy Cinemas in Dubai Hills in August 2024.

In September 2024, he expanded his reach by launching El Nawawy Cafe, a new show on Aljazeera 360, a regional streaming and video-on-demand platform.

By November 2024, his influence had grown substantially, amassing 679,000 followers on Instagram and over 483,000 on TikTok. This further solidified his position as a prominent digital entertainer in the Arab world.

Wessam Qutob – 28, Content creator

Palestinian Wessam Qutob is a prominent social media influencer with a massive online presence, boasting over 13 million followers across platforms, including 4.9 million on Instagram, 5.9 million on TikTok, and 2.6 million YouTube subscribers.

He was awarded 'Favorite Content Creator' at the 2023 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards in Abu Dhabi.

Beyond social media, Qutob is also a rapper and songwriter, with his track Rihleh Fi Rasi, released in 2022, amassing over 6.5 million streams on YouTube. By October 2024, his YouTube channel had surpassed 149.8 million views.

He signed a deal with EMPIRE Distribution and was selected as an ambassador for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

Additionally, Qutob collaborated with Samsung from 2021 to 2024, further cementing his influence in both digital and commercial spaces.

Abbas Sajwani – 24, Founder & CEO of AHS Properties

Emirati Abbas Sajwani established AHS Group in 2017, which has rapidly expanded to employ over 2,000 individuals.

Among its various ventures, AHS Properties stands out as a premier ultra-luxury real estate developer based in Dubai.

In 2024, the company's gross development value hit $2.75 billion, and with an ambitious project pipeline, it is projected to reach $5 billion by 2025.

This impressive growth underscores Sajwani's leadership and AHS Group's prominent position in the luxury real estate market.

Muhammad BinGhatti – 29, Cofounder & Chairman of BINGHATTI

Emirati-national Muhammad Binghatti’s current portfolio is valued at over $10.9 billion, reflecting its strong presence in the luxury real estate market.

The company has formed strategic partnerships with prestigious global brands, including automotive giants Bugatti and Mercedes-Benz, as well as renowned jewelry and watchmaker Jacob & Co. Binghatti’s notable projects include the Burj Binghatti Jacob & Co Residences, Binghatti Crescent, and Binghatti Nova.

In March 2023, the company completed its $109 million luxury residential tower, Binghatti Creek, in Dubai, which features 21 floors and 400 residential units.

Dubai Abulhoul – 27, Founder & CEO of Fiker Institute

An Emirati author named after her home city, Dubai Abulhoul founded the Fiker Institute, an international affairs think tank, in September 2021, aiming to foster dialogue between the Arab world and the global community.

The institute serves as a platform for testing ideas, debating key issues, and developing a deeper intellectual understanding of global affairs.

In November 2023, she expanded the institute by launching its politics library, which houses over 15,000 books on foreign policy, global politics, and international development.

Additionally, Abulhoul is a member of the World Economic Forum's Global Future Council on the Future of Geopolitics and serves as a Trustee of the Emirates Literature Foundation.

Omar Bakri, Ali Bakri, Hamdan Karmustaji – 26, 24, 26, Cofounders of Thiqa Tutoring

The three entrepreneurs (from Jordan and the UAE) co-founded Thiqa Tutoring in June 2022, offering personalized educational support through one-on-one tutoring sessions.

Since its foundation, the company has expanded its presence across four cities and currently serves 1,800 active students.

Their project Thiqa Tutoring provides three primary services: one-to-one tutoring, educational consultations, and shadow teachers, with plans to introduce VR Tutoring in the future.

The company’s content library boasts over 40,000 hours of recorded lessons.

Thiqa has successfully raised $409,000 from six investors, including notable figures such as Amira Sajwani, Mohamad Ballout, Faisal Belhoul, Hope Ventures, and JEO Capital Management.