UAE Top 50 Brands Spotlight ADNOC and Emirates Strength in Global Markets

The UAE's top 50 brands reach a combined value of $104.5 billion in 2026, rising 17% year on year, according to Brand Finance's UAE 50 report. Oil and gas, banking, telecoms, real estate and manufacturing continue to underpin this growth, showing broad economic momentum across the federation and stronger brand performance at home and abroad.

Banking now represents the UAE's fastest-growing brand sector, with total banking brand value climbing 29%. Four banks hold positions in the national top 10, supported by higher lending, increased deposits and more digital services. Rising transaction volumes and new income streams show how financial institutions are reshaping their businesses to meet changing customer expectations.

Emirates NBD records a 34% rise in brand value to $6.1 billion, remaining a leading sector player through stronger lending, faster deposit growth and higher transactions. FAB retains fifth place with $5.5 billion in brand value, up 21%, helped by record 2025 results, wider international reach and greater use of digital and AI tools to improve returns.

ADCB becomes the UAE's seventh most valuable brand with a 33% increase to $4.4 billion. Double-digit growth in interest and non-interest income, stronger fee and trading income, and a focus on sustainability support this rise. Initiatives such as its ClimaTech Accelerator 2025 programme highlight how ADCB links innovation with climate-focused projects and long-term strategy.

Mashreq enters the top 10 for the first time since its 2020 valuation, as brand value climbs 36% to $2.4 billion. The bank pushes a digital first approach, investing in AI-led innovation and platforms like NEO. International expansion and technology-driven operations aim to improve customer experience while keeping costs under tighter control.

Telecom brands also contribute strongly to the UAE 50 ranking. du reaches $3.8 billion in brand value, up 27%, and secures ninth place nationally. Revenues rise to DHS15.9 billion, about $4.3 billion, while net profit advances 17% in 2025. du continues to move beyond connectivity, growing cloud, AI and data centre services and expanding du Pay and other digital products.

ADNOC remains the UAE's most valuable brand for the eighth successive year, with value up 11% to $21.1 billion. In 2026, ADNOC also becomes the first Emirati brand to enter the Brand Finance Global 500, taking 100th place worldwide. This reflects the company's growing global profile and its impact across the energy value chain.

Brand strength analysis ranks ADNOC as the strongest brand in the UAE, with a Brand Strength Index score of 89.4 out of 100. Brand Finance credits this to high customer trust and confidence. ADNOC emphasises operational reliability, efficiency and long-term value, while investing in lower-carbon solutions and supporting the UAE's energy security and sustainability goals.

e& keeps second place among the UAE's most valuable brands, with brand value rising 7% to $16.4 billion. The group posts revenues of DHS72.9 billion in 2025, around $19.8 billion, up 23% year on year. Its subscriber base passes 244 million across international markets as e& continues to shift towards a wider technology and digital services model.

Brand Finance data places e& as the UAE's second strongest brand, with a BSI score of 85.8 out of 100. Market research highlights strong local scores for consideration and preference. The figures also indicate room to improve perceptions related to reputation, reliability, pricing acceptance and how strongly customers recommend the brand to others.

Emirates holds third place by brand value, which increases 27% to $10.6 billion. The airline benefits from sustained global travel demand and growing appetite for premium cabins, supporting higher yields. Emirates has also focused on its fleet and operations to maintain service standards and support its network as traffic continues to recover.

In brand strength terms, Emirates ranks as the UAE's third strongest brand with a BSI score of 85.3 out of 100. The airline enjoys strong global visibility and runs one of aviation's largest sports sponsorship portfolios. In 2025, Emirates announces nine major sports agreements and renewals, securing visibility into the 2030s across football, rugby and other sports.

One of the main shifts over the past five years is the appearance of Northern Emirates names in the rankings. In 2020, brands from Dubai and Abu Dhabi dominated the list. That pattern still holds overall, but a growing number of brands from other emirates now enter the top 50, signalling early geographic diversification.

Currently, Northern Emirates brands account for about 1.6% of total brand value within the UAE top 50. Their share is small but underpinned by more activity in tourism, manufacturing, logistics and real estate. This trend hints at a more even spread of brand value over time, as development extends beyond the UAE's traditional economic centres.

RAK Ceramics appears as a new entrant with a brand value of $158 million. The company has grown from a regional producer into a global business with presence in more than 150 countries. Its inclusion underlines that brand building in the UAE is no longer limited to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, as strong brands emerge across the wider federation.

Healthcare brands also feature strongly through PureHealth Group, described as the region's largest integrated healthcare platform. The combined portfolio of PureHealth-controlled brands reaches $2.9 billion in value, up 23% from $2.4 billion in 2025. The portfolio includes PureHealth itself at $675 million, alongside SEHA, Daman and Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City.

Within this portfolio, SEHA holds a brand value of $985 million, while Daman stands at $337 million. Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City records a brand value of $325 million. These figures show how healthcare has become an important contributor to national brand value, alongside more established sectors like banking, aviation and telecoms.

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

"The UAE's top 50 brands crossing $104.5 billion is a milestone, but the more important story is the direction of travel. Banking brands are growing at pace, Emirates is strengthening its global premium position, and for the first time we are seeing meaningful brand value emerge across the emirates and sectors. As AI adoption accelerates and economic diversification deepens, the conditions are in place for UAE brands to compete and win on the global stage in ways that would have seemed ambitious just a few years ago."

The UAE 50 report from Brand Finance shows a broader base of valuable brands, with ADNOC, e& and Emirates leading, banking growing fastest, and healthcare and manufacturing gaining ground. Northern Emirates entries such as RAK Ceramics, plus expanding platforms like PureHealth, suggest that future brand growth is likely to draw on more sectors and more parts of the country.