Today's Edition
A. SREENIVASA REDDY (ABU DHABI)
Five Emirati brands have secured places in Brand Finance’s Global 500 Brands 2026 ranking, reflecting gains in brand value and global positioning across energy, telecommunications, aviation, and banking, according to the latest Brand Finance report.
ADNOC emerged as the UAE’s strongest performer, climbing to 100th place globally in 2026, up from 105th in 2025, and becoming the first Emirati brand to enter the global top 100.
ADNOC retained its position as the UAE’s most valuable brand for the eighth consecutive year, with its brand value rising 11% year-on-year to $21.13 billion, from $18.97 billion in 2025. Its Brand Strength Index (BSI) improved to 82.11 in 2026 from 81.86 a year earlier, maintaining a AAA- rating.
“ADNOC’s recognition as the UAE’s most valuable brand for the eighth year running, and its entry into the global top 100 for the first time, reflects the vision of our leadership and the trust of our partners and customers," said Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, ADNOC Managing Director and Group CEO.
"It also underscores ADNOC’s transformation into a resilient, technology-enabled, globally competitive energy company, delivering reliable energy, empowering communities, and creating long-term value for Abu Dhabi and the UAE," he added.
David Haigh, Chairman and CEO of Brand Finance, commented: “ADNOC has further strengthened its position as the UAE’s leading brand while accelerating its positive impact on the global stage. As ADNOC continues to embrace its transformation into a tech-enabled, globally competitive energy company, it is cementing its status as a true global brand leader.”
The UAE’s telecommunications group, e&, ranked 152nd globally in 2026, compared with 146th in 2025. Despite the marginal fall in ranking, the brand’s value increased to $16.35 billion in 2026 from $15.32 billion a year earlier. Its BSI rose to 85.77 from 84.59, retaining a strong AAA rating.
Emirates Airline recorded one of the sharpest improvements among UAE brands, climbing to 238th place in 2026 from 280th in 2025. Its brand value rose to $10.63 billion, up from $8.37 billion the previous year. While its BSI eased slightly to 85.15 from 85.99, the airline maintained a AAA rating, reflecting its strong global brand recognition.
In the banking sector, Emirates NBD rose to 418th place in 2026, a significant improvement from 551st in 2025. The bank’s brand value increased to $6.09 billion from $4.54 billion, while its BSI strengthened to 83.78 from 80.99, retaining a AAA- rating.
First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) ranked 474th globally in 2026, up from 554th in 2025. FAB’s brand value rose to $5.46 billion from $4.51 billion, while its BSI edged up to 68.99 from 68.47, maintaining an AA- rating.
At the global level, US technology companies continued to dominate the top of the ranking. Apple retained its position as the world’s most valuable brand, followed by Microsoft, Google, and Amazon, while NVIDIA climbed into the top five, driven by rapid growth in brand value linked to its role in artificial intelligence infrastructure.
