• The banking sector tops the list of the fastest-growing sectors in the UAE, with four brands ranking among the top ten.
• Mashreq Bank entered the list of the top ten banks for the first time since 2020.
• A brand worth following: RAK Ceramics has evolved from a local manufacturer into a global name.
• ADNOC, e&, and Emirates top the list of the strongest brands in the United Arab Emirates.

Abu Dhabi, UAE - The value of the top 50 brands in the UAE is projected to increase by 17% year-on-year to reach US$104.5 billion in 2026, supported by continued growth in the oil and gas, banking, telecommunications, real estate and manufacturing sectors, according to the "UAE 50 Report" by Brand Finance , the world's leading brand valuation consultancy.

One of the most notable shifts over the past five years has been the gradual emergence of brands from the Northern Emirates. In 2020, Dubai and Abu Dhabi overwhelmingly dominated the UAE rankings, and while this trend generally persists, the landscape is beginning to evolve. A small but growing number of Northern Emirates brands are now breaking into the top 50, signaling early signs of diversification.

Although they currently represent only 1.6% of the total brand value of the top 50 brands in the UAE, these brands possess significant growth potential, supported by expanding activity in sectors such as tourism, manufacturing, logistics, and real estate. This suggests a more balanced distribution of brand value over time, as economic development continues to expand beyond the country's traditional centers.

ADNOC topped the rankings once again (with its brand value increasing by 11% to reach US$21.1 billion), maintaining its position as the most valuable brand in the UAE for the eighth consecutive year. The brand also achieved a significant milestone in 2026, becoming the first Emirati brand to enter the Brand Finance Global 500 list, ranking at number 100 globally.

e& (whose brand value rose 7% to US$16.4 billion) maintained its position as the second most valuable brand in the UAE, underpinned by strong financial performance and its ongoing transformation into a global technology group. The brand announced a 23% year-on-year increase in revenue to AED 72.9 billion (approximately US$19.8 billion) in 2025, along with a growing subscriber base exceeding 244 million across its expanding international footprint.

Savio D'Souza, Managing Director of Brand Finance in the Middle East and Africa, commented:

“The fact that the top 50 brands in the UAE have surpassed US$104.5 billion is a milestone, but the most important story is the travel trend. Banking brands are growing rapidly, Emirates is strengthening its distinguished global position, and for the first time, we are witnessing the emergence of real brand value across all Emirates and sectors. With the acceleration of AI adoption and the deepening of economic diversification, conditions are favorable for UAE brands to compete and win on the global stage in ways that seemed ambitious only a few years ago.”

Emirates (whose brand value rose 27% to US$10.6 billion) maintained its third-place ranking, reflecting the company's strong commercial performance driven by continued global demand for travel and the growing preference for premium cabins, which continue to support higher returns. Operationally, the airline has strengthened its position through its growing fleet.

The banking sector leads the way as the fastest-growing sector in the UAE, with the total value of its brands increasing by 29%, and four banking brands securing positions among the top 10 most valuable brands in the country. This growth across the sector was driven by strong lending activity, rising deposits, increased transaction volumes, digital transformation, and increasingly diversified revenue streams.

Emirates NBD (whose brand value rose 34% to US$6.1 billion) remains a major force in the sector, supported by an expansion of lending, stronger deposit growth, higher transaction volumes, and continued investment in digital transformation and fee-generating businesses.

As the largest bank in the UAE in terms of market capitalization and assets, FAB (whose brand value rose by 21% to US$5.5 billion) maintains its fifth position, supported by record financial performance for 2025, stronger international diversification, and accelerated use of digital and AI-based solutions to improve efficiency and returns.

Meanwhile, ADCB (whose brand value rose 33% to US$4.4 billion) ranks seventh as the most valuable brand in the country, benefiting from double-digit growth in both interest and non-interest income, stronger fee and trading income, and a continued focus on sustainability and innovation initiatives such as the ClimaTech Accelerator 2025 program.

Another telecommunications company in the country, du (whose brand value rose by 27% to US$3.8 billion), maintains its position as the ninth most valuable brand in the UAE. Strong financial performance supports the brand's growth, with revenues increasing to AED 15.9 billion (approximately US$4.3 billion) and net profit growing by 17% in 2025, reflecting continued operational momentum and disciplined execution. du continues to accelerate its transformation beyond traditional connectivity by expanding its digital ecosystem, including cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and data center capabilities, along with the expansion of du Pay and other digital services.

Mashreq Bank (whose brand value increased by 36% to reach US$2.4 billion) entered the top 10 banks list for the first time since its valuation in 2020, reflecting its strong financial performance and accelerated transformation into a primarily digital bank. The brand continues to strengthen its position through ongoing investment in AI-led innovation, digital platforms such as NEO, and international expansion, enhancing customer experience and operational efficiency.

PureHealth Group is the region’s largest integrated healthcare platform, with a total brand portfolio valued at US$2.9 billion, representing a 23% increase (US$2.4 billion in 2025) compared to last year. In addition to the PureHealth brand (valued at US$675 million), the group manages a portfolio of brands included in the UAE report: SEHA (valued at US$985 million), Daman (valued at US$337 million), and Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC) (valued at US$325 million).

RAK Ceramics (a newcomer valued at US$158 million) entered the rankings for the first time with a brand value of US$158 million, reflecting its evolution from a regional manufacturer to a truly global company with a presence in over 150 countries. Its inclusion underscores that brand building in the UAE is not limited to Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and that strong brands are emerging throughout the federation.

In brand strength analysis, ADNOC, the strongest brand in the UAE, achieved a Brand Strength Index (BSI) score of 89.4/100. The brand's success is attributed to strong customer trust, underpinned by its commitment to operational excellence, reliability, and long-term value creation. ADNOC's reputation as a leading energy brand is further strengthened by its strategic expansion across the value chain, its continued investment in low-carbon solutions, and its role in ensuring energy security while supporting the UAE's sustainability ambitions.

e& (whose brand value rose 7% to US$16.4 billion) is the second strongest brand in the UAE, scoring 85.8/100 on the BSI. Market research data from Brand Finance indicates strong local performance in consideration and preference metrics, although there is still room to improve perceptions of reputation, reliability, price acceptance, and customer support.

Emirates (whose brand value rose 27% to US$10.6 billion) is the third most powerful brand in the UAE, scoring 85.3/100 on the BSI index. This performance is underpinned by its unparalleled global presence and one of the most ambitious sports sponsorship portfolios in the aviation industry. In 2025 alone, Emirates announced nine major sports deals and contract renewals, positioning it as one of the world’s leading sports sponsors well into the 2030s. Its seven-year flagship partnership with FC Bayern Munich made Emirates a Platinum Partner of the German football powerhouse, while the historic contract extension with World Rugby until 2035 represents the longest commitment in the airline’s 40-year sponsorship history and its first-ever Platinum Partnership in rugby.

The full classification, additional insights, charts, methodology information, and key term definitions are available in the Brand Finance UAE 50 2026 report.

About Brand Finance

Brand Finance is the world's leading brand valuation consultancy .

* Source: "Aetos Wire"

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Gayathri
g.saravanakumar@brandfinance.com

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