Dubai – Sharikat Mubasher: Forbes Middle East has just revealed its highly anticipated 30 Under 30 list for 2024, shining a spotlight on the region's next generation of game-changers.
According to a press release, this year’s list includes 120 remarkable individuals from across the MENA region, recognized for their achievements in four main categories: commerce and finance, sports and entertainment, science and technology, and social impact.
To qualify, honorees had to be under the age of 30 as of December 31, 2023, with applicants of any nationality, as long as their initiatives focus on the MENA region. If a business had multiple co-founders who qualified, they were counted as a single entry.
The list features 153 individuals representing 24 nationalities, with Egyptians taking the lead with 48 honorees, followed by Lebanese (20), Tunisians (12), and Saudis (10). The UAE stands out as the home base for 40 of the honorees, while Egypt follows with 35, Saudi Arabia with 12, Tunisia with 10, and Lebanon with eight.
Among this year's standouts are three teenagers, all from the sports and entertainment category. At just 17, Kaylia Nemour, an Algerian-French gymnast, became the first African gymnast to win gold on the uneven bars at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Najlah Imad, 19, made history as Iraq’s first female Paralympic gold medalist in para table tennis at the Paris 2024 Paralympics. And Rayan Hayek, also 19, has built a large following as a Lebanese content creator, hosting Arab celebrities on his YouTube show Baynetna. The average age of the honorees is 26.
This year’s list sees commerce and finance with the most entries, totaling 45, followed by social impact (42), sports and entertainment (34), and science and technology (32). The list is dominated by entrepreneurs, with over 68% of the honorees being founders. Notable names include Maya Ghazal, the first Syrian female pilot; journalist and activist Bisan Owda; Google MENA's Marwa Khost; Muhammad BinGhatti, co-founder of BINGHATTI; modern pentathlete Ahmed ElGendy; and boxer Imane Khelif.
Forbes Middle East selected these 120 standout individuals after a rigorous evaluation process, considering their impact on their industries, markets, and society. Criteria included funds raised, revenues, awards, social media presence, and audience reach. External judges with expertise in each field helped shape the final list, ensuring a diverse and impressive group of trailblazers.
The Forbes Middle East Under 30 Summit 2024 will be held in Abu Dhabi from December 10-11, which will gather the region’s esteemed Under 30 community, investors, and business heads.