Forbes crowns KFH Group CEO Khaled Al-Shamlan first in Kuwait's banking sector among 'Middle East Sustainability Leaders' 2026
Forbes Middle East has recognized KFH Group in its 2026 Sustainability Leaders list, with Khaled Al-Shamlan ranking first in Kuwait's banking sector and seventh in the Middle East, during a ceremony in Abu Dhabi sponsored by the Minister of Climate Change and
Translated by Qiyas from الأنباء — Original source
In recognition of its prominent impact and role in leading sustainability efforts at Kuwait Finance House (KFH), Middle East Forbes magazine ranked KFH’s CEO, Khaled Yousef Al-Shamlan, first among banks in Kuwait and seventh across the Middle East in its 2026 Middle East Sustainability Leaders list.
The accolade was presented during the Sustainability Leaders Awards ceremony held in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, under the patronage of Dr. Amina bint Abdullah Al-Dhaheri, Minister of Climate Change and Environment of the UAE. The event brought together leaders in sustainability, technology, and finance to promote green practices and advance sustainability. Al-Shamlan was represented at the ceremony by Meshal Al-Shaikh, Head of Compliance and Governance at KFH, who accepted the award on his behalf.
The 2026 Sustainability Leaders list highlights executives who contribute to advancing the sustainability agenda and influence the trajectory of leading companies in the region. It includes 145 participants distributed across 17 sectors, including banking, energy and utilities, family businesses, financial services, food and agriculture, free zones, healthcare, investment and holding companies, industry, oil and gas, real estate and construction, renewable energy, technology and communications, transport and logistics, development funds, and others.
Middle East Forbes noted that KFH expanded its investments in sustainability sukuk to approximately $2.38 billion in 2025, reflecting its leadership role in sustainable financing within Islamic finance markets. The magazine added that KFH’s investments in sustainable and green sukuk rose to around $1.2 billion in 2025, representing a year-on-year growth of 30.7 percent compared to 2024. These investments were allocated as 44 percent in sustainable sukuk and 56 percent in green sukuk.
The magazine further noted that KFH launched an Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) sustainability plan in 2025, targeting carbon neutrality for its operational activities by 2060, supported by an implementation roadmap for the period 2025–2030.
Leadership in Sustainability
KFH continues to contribute to sustainability through its successful investments in sustainability sukuk and green sukuk, its commitment to integrating sustainable practices into its operations, and its proactive adoption of Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG) principles as a core element of its corporate strategy, in alignment with Kuwait Vision 2035 for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
It is worth noting that KFH received an “A” rating in the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) ESG Index, published by Morgan Stanley, which assesses environmental, social, and governance standards. Additionally, KFH was included in the FTSE4Good Global Sustainability Index, thanks to its exceptional performance in ESG practices and its commitment to sustainable financing.
KFH successfully obtained the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification for several of its branches, bringing the total number of branches with this prestigious designation to five since early 2026. Furthermore, KFH’s KFH Auto exhibition received the GSAS Sustainability Assessment Gold Level rating, making KFH the first bank in Kuwait to achieve this distinguished honor.
KFH continues its sustainability efforts through collaboration with the United Nations
the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). It continues to organize the first-of-its-kind “Business Sustainability” program for its small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) clients, aiming to provide them with a competitive edge to realize their aspirations, reaffirming its vision to promote sustainable development and its leadership in fostering an entrepreneurial environment. It also continues the “Keep It Green” initiative, which enhances environmental protection and works to reduce carbon emissions for a more sustainable future. Kuwait Finance House is the first institution to begin measuring impact reports, and it annually publishes its Sustainability Report and Carbon Footprint Report, which include valuable information, insights, and detailed plans highlighting carbon neutrality and reducing the negative impacts of activities misaligned with environmental protection in the coming years, in line with global initiatives to combat climate change.
