• Home
• Business

CNBC Arabia has selected Ibrahim Sarhan, Chairman and Managing Director of e-finance Investment Group, for its prestigious list of the "100 Business Leaders Shaping the Landscape of the Regional Economy" for 2026. This select roster features top executives, chairpersons, and heads of major enterprises in the Middle East who have demonstrated a measurable impact on economic growth, corporate competitiveness, and industry-wide transformation.

Sarhan was recognized under the Fintech sector, which stands out as one of the fastest-growing and most influential industries driving the region's digital economy. The selection spotlights e-finance’s pivotal role in leading national digital transformation, developing robust electronic payment infrastructures, and delivering secure digital solutions to government bodies, private enterprises, and millions of citizens.

Rigorous Selection Criteria

CNBC Arabia emphasized that the 2026 list does not serve as a popularity index or media-reach ranking, nor does it follow any numerical hierarchy. Instead, the initiative is designed to honor leaders who have delivered authentic economic value through strategic decision-making, innovation, and sustainability.

The selection process evaluated nominees across eleven key economic sectors—including banking, energy, AI, healthcare, and logistics—against five core performance metrics:

Financial Performance: Demonstrated capacity to drive revenue growth and maximize stakeholder returns.

Economic Impact: The depth of influence exerted by the leader's decisions on their company, sector, and the macroeconomy.

Innovation: Successful development and deployment of competitive business models and products.

Governance & Transparency: Adherence to strict regulatory compliance, corporate governance, and ethical standards.

Resilience & Sustainability: The agility to maintain strong operational and financial health across varying economic cycles.

Additionally, nominees were required to have served at least one year in their current position and lead companies headquartered or heavily operating in the region with verifiable financial and operational track records.

Strategic Horizon for e-finance

The inclusion of Ibrahim Sarhan in the 2026 list coincides with e-finance’s continued expansion in the digital services and fintech arenas. The group remains at the forefront of executing high-priority national projects aimed at broadening the scope of financial inclusion and modernizing payment networks.

This recognition highlights e-finance’s contribution to building a highly efficient, sustainable digital infrastructure in Egypt, reflecting the broader regional push toward accelerating financial technology and consolidating the digital economy.