Abu Dhabi National Oil Company has retained its position as the UAE's most valuable brand for the seventh consecutive year with a value of $18.9 billion, while Apple remained the world's most valuable brand, according to a new report by consultancy Brand Finance.
The oil major increased its brand value by 25 per cent year-on-year, becoming the Middle East region's second most valuable brand after Saudi Aramco, according to the Brand Finance Global 500 report released on Tuesday.
Adnoc rose two ranks to become the sixth most valuable oil and gas brand globally, overtaking international oil giants TotalEnergies and BP, and has become the world's fastest growing energy brand.
“This achievement underscores that the true value of our brand lies in the positive impact we create for our community. As Adnoc's global presence grows, we remain deeply committed to delivering sustainable growth and unlocking opportunities that benefit the UAE and its people for generations to come,” said Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and managing director and group chief executive of Adnoc.
David Haigh, chairman and chief executive of Brand Finance, said that under Dr Sultan's leadership “Adnoc has solidified its status as the UAE’s leading brand while achieving remarkable progress on the global stage”.
Dr Sultan was ranked first among global energy chief executives and seventh place overall in the Brand Guardianship Index, making him the highest-ranked chief executive outside the US and Europe, according to the Brand Finance report.
Adnoc, responsible for most of the UAE’s oil production, is increasing its international presence. The company recently announced the launch of XRG, a lower-carbon energy and chemicals investment unit, with an enterprise value of more than $80 billion.
Adnoc's growth has propelled it up 23 spots to 105th in the Brand Finance Global 500 – its highest-ever global ranking – while it achieved a Brand Strength Index score of 87.9 out of 100, making it the strongest brand in the UAE.
Brand value is determined through several factors, including marketing investment, stakeholder equity and business performance according to the brand valuation consultancy.
Adnoc's brand strength has improved due to its decarbonisation efforts, artificial intelligence innovations and diversified international growth, Brand Finance said.
The company is increasingly focusing on AI and digital technologies to increase efficiency and lower emissions related to its operations. Last year, it generated $500 million by introducing AI solutions after the integration of more than 30 AI tools across its value chain, from field operations to corporate decision-making, the company said in March last year.
The company was rated the strongest business-to-consumer brand in the UAE, based on consumer sentiment, the report found.
Adnoc's global brand strength increased to 81.9 points according to Brand Finance’s methodology, maintaining a “AAA-” brand strength rating for the second year in a row.
Aramco Middle East's most valuable brand
The world’s biggest oil-producing company, Saudi Aramco, reached a brand value of $41.7 billion in 2025, retaining its title as the most valuable brand in the Middle East, the London-based consultancy said.
Saudi Telecom Company, the kingdom’s biggest mobile operator, recorded a 16 per cent rise in brand value to $16.1 billion. It makes STC rank the third most valuable brand in the region and claim the title of the most valuable telecoms brand in the Middle East.
Meanwhile, e&, the UAE telecoms and technology company, ranked the fastest growing brand by value in the world this year, recording an eight-fold increase in brand value to $15.3 billion. This places e& among the top ten most valuable telecoms brands globally.
This comes as e& enters the final stage of a three-year group rebrand, set to transition brand equity from Etisalat to e& as a platform for international growth, the report said.
“Middle Eastern brands continue to make their mark on the global stage, with a combined $127.4 billion brand value contribution to the Brand Finance Global 500 2025 ranking,” Mr Haigh said.
Saudi Arabia led the Middle East region, contributing $75.5 billion with five Saudi brands, each increasing in brand value, among the world’s top 500.
In the Middle East, telecom and banking giants like STC, e&, QNB, Al-Rajhi Bank and SNB continued to drive growth, each climbing in rank and brand value, “underscoring the rising influence and global competitiveness of Middle Eastern brands”, Mr Haigh said.
Apple overtakes Microsoft and Google
Apple held on to the title of the world's most valuable brand, recording an 11 per cent increase in value to $574.5 billion.
This growth keeps Apple ahead of its closest rival, Microsoft, whose brand value grew 35 per cent to $461 billion. Except for 2023, when Apple briefly trailed Amazon by a margin of just one per cent, it has held the top spot as the world’s most valuable brand since 2021.
Google, the world’s third most valuable brand, increased its brand value by 24 per cent to $413 billion.
“Ongoing investments in AI have enhanced Google’s reputation for innovation while strengthening its consumer appeal and trust,” Brand Finance said.
