Abdulla Al Ghurair

Abdulla bin Ahmad Al Ghurair, born around 1930 in Dubai, is an eminent Emirati businessman and philanthropist recognized for founding Mashreqbank, one of the UAE’s oldest and leading financial institutions.

Coming from the influential Al Ghurair family, which historically traded in pearls and other goods, he played a crucial role in shaping Dubai's modern banking and business landscape. He studied business administration at California Polytechnic State University, which aided his visionary approach to business development within the UAE.

In 1967, he established Mashreqbank (initially known as Bank of Oman), which under his leadership expanded from providing loans to offering comprehensive financial services including investments, safety deposit, and bond purchases.

His ventures extend beyond banking into various industries such as food production with the Jenan brand, construction, real estate, and insurance through Oman Insurance (now Sukoon). His construction company notably contributed to major projects like the Dubai Metro and the exterior cladding of the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building.

In the early 1990s, the Al Ghurair Group divided its business interests between Abdulla and his brother Saif Ahmad Al Ghurair, with Abdulla focusing on finance, food, and construction sectors under his own investment firm.

As of 2025, Abdulla Al Ghurair is among the richest individuals in the UAE, with a net worth estimated at $4.2 billion, and his family continues to be deeply involved in the region’s banking and business sectors through his son Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair, CEO of Mashreq Group.