Middle Eastern Brands Outpace Global Brand Value Growth Rate

All nine Middle Eastern brands in the world’s top 500 are growing in brand value, according to a new report from Brand Finance, the world’s leading brand valuation consultancy. Aramco remains the region’s most valuable brand at USD41.7 billion, though its growth has been the smallest among Middle Eastern brands, signalling a narrowing gap. ADNOC, the Middle East’s second most valuable brand, has recorded strong brand value growth of 25% to USD19.0 billion. This makes it the fastest growing energy brand in the Global 500.

David Haigh, Chairman and CEO of Brand Finance, commented:

“Middle Eastern brands continue to make their mark on the global stage, with a combined USD127.4 billion brand value contribution to the Brand Finance Global 500 2025 ranking. Saudia Arabia leads the region, contributing USD75.5 billion with five Saudi brands, each increasing in brand value, among the world’s top 500. In the Middle East, telecom and banking giants like stc, e&, QNB, Al-Rajhi Bank, and SNB continue to drive growth, each climbing in both position and brand value, underscoring the rising influence and global competitiveness of Middle Eastern brands.”

This year, stc achieves the significant milestone of becoming the 9th most valuable telecoms brand globally. stc is also the strongest brand in the Middle East with a Brand Strength Index (BSI) score of 88.7/100 and an AAA brand rating — marking a slight strengthening of the brand since last year. With a 16% rise in brand value to $16.1 billion, stc ranks as the third most valuable brand in the region and holds the title of the most valuable telecoms brand in the Middle East.

These achievements reflect the successful consolidation of their Masterbrand strategy which has enabled an extension of the brand into new categories such as banking, cybersecurity and the development of B2B and IT offerings through strategic M&A initiatives, so strengthening stc’s leadership in the region and beyond.

e& is the fastest growing brand value in the world this year, posting an eight-fold increase in brand value to USD15.3 billion, placing e& among the top ten most valuable telecoms brands globally. This is the final stage of a 3-year group rebrand, staged to transition brand equity from Etisalat to e& as a platform for international growth. The like for like brand value growth is 13% versus the combined value of the brands in 2024. Nvidia has the highest like for like growth – 98% – making it the second fastest growing brand value for 2025. e& has also achieved an AAA brand strength rating in 2025.

Apple is once again the world’s most valuable brand, with its brand value rising 11% to USD574.5 billion. This growth keeps Apple ahead of its closest rival, Microsoft, whose brand value grew 35% to USD461 billion. Except for 2023, when Apple briefly trailed Amazon by a margin of just 1%, it has held the top spot as the world’s most valuable brand since 2021. Google, the world’s third most valuable brand, saw its brand value increase by 24% to USD413 billion. Ongoing investments in AI have enhanced Google’s reputation for innovation while strengthening its consumer appeal and trust.