The Brand Finance Global 500, an annual ranking of the most valuable brands in the world, has featured Saudi Aramco as the Middle East’s most valuable brand, and Abu Dhabi’s ADNOC the second most valuable brand, with the UAE-based etisalat by e& ranking as the strongest brand in the world. 

The Saudi Arabian oil enterprise’s value stood at $43.6 billion, up 4% from last year, ranking it the 29th most valuable brand globally. As per the ranking, while Aramco was the most valuable brand in the region, etisalat by e& was the strongest, with a score of 89.1 out of a possible 100 for brand strength.

ADNOC, valued at $14.1 billion, ranked 138th globally, entering the top 150 for the first time. The company’s value has reportedly grown by 11% over the past year, with a brand strength rating of AA+.

The report said etisalat by e& is evolving from Etisalat Group into a tech-driven telco.

Brand Finance outlined etisalat by e&’s value at $10.5 billion, with the combined value for all e& branded operations at $11.7 billion, up from a combined value of $10.1bn in 2022.

Other Middle East brands that featured were Saudi telecoms company stc which grew by 17% to $12.3 billion, up 25 places in the global ranking to 159th; Qatari bank QNB recorded brand value growth to $7.1 billion, up 9%, which the report said was due to the benefits of connecting globally and enhancing its international presence from FIFA World Cup.