Forbes: CEO of Kuwait Finance House Ranks First Among Local Banks in Sustainability

Among the “Middle East Sustainability Leaders” 2026

The award was given in recognition of his prominent impact and his role in leading the group’s efforts in this field.

He ranked seventh across the region... The list included 145 participants distributed across 17 sectors.

The bank’s investments in sustainable and green sukuk rose by 30.7% to $1.2 billion in 2025.

In recognition of his prominent impact and his role in leading sustainability efforts at Kuwait Finance House (KFH), Middle East Forbes magazine ranked the CEO of Kuwait Finance House, Khaled Yousef Al-Shamlan, first in the banking sector in Kuwait and seventh across the Middle East, within its “Middle East Sustainability Leaders 2026” list. The recognition was presented during the “Sustainability Leaders” awards ceremony held in the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi, under the patronage of Dr. Amina bint Abdullah Al-Abri, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment. The event brought together leaders in sustainability, technology, and finance to promote green practices and enhance sustainability. The award was accepted on behalf of Al-Shamlan by Meshal Al-Shaikh, Head of Compliance and Governance at Kuwait Finance House.

The 2026 Sustainability Leaders list highlights executive leaders who contribute to advancing the sustainability agenda and influence the trajectory of the region’s leading companies.

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 telecommunications, transport and logistics, development funds, and others.

Middle East Forbes noted that Kuwait Finance House expanded its investments in sustainability sukuk to approximately $2.38 billion in 2025, reflecting its leading role in sustainable financing within Islamic finance markets.

It added that KFH’s investments in sustainable and green sukuk reached approximately $1.2 billion in 2025, representing a year-on-year growth of 30.7% compared to 2024. These investments were distributed as 44% in sustainable sukuk and 56% in green sukuk.

The magazine pointed out that in 2025, Kuwait Finance House introduced an Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) sustainability plan targeting carbon neutrality for its operational activities by 2060, supported by an executive roadmap for the period 2025–2030.

Sustainability Leadership

The bank continues its contributions to supporting 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’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Kuwait Finance House 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.

Kuwait Finance House (KFH) has successfully obtained the Gold rating in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for several of its branches, bringing the total number of branches awarded this prestigious certification to five since early 2026. Additionally, KFH’s participation in the KFH Auto exhibition earned it the Gold level of the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) sustainability rating, making it the first bank in Kuwait to achieve this distinguished accolade.

KFH continues its sustainability efforts in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). It also continues to organize the pioneering “Business Sustainability” program for its small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) clients, aiming to provide them with a competitive edge to realize their aspirations and reaffirming its vision to promote sustainable development and its leadership in fostering an entrepreneurial environment. Furthermore, KFH continues its “Keep It Green” initiative, which enhances environmental protection and works to reduce carbon emissions for a more sustainable future.

KFH was the first institution to begin impact measurement reporting and annually publishes its Sustainability Report and Carbon Footprint Report. These reports contain valuable information, insights, and detailed plans highlighting carbon neutrality and efforts to mitigate the negative impacts of activities inconsistent with environmental protection in the coming years, in alignment with global initiatives to combat climate change.