{"id":77821,"date":"2026-02-09T08:08:16","date_gmt":"2026-02-09T08:08:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.forbesmiddleeast.com\/lists\/?page_id=77821"},"modified":"2026-02-09T08:08:16","modified_gmt":"2026-02-09T08:08:16","slug":"fares-akkad","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.forbesmiddleeast.com\/lists\/the-middle-easts-top-tech-leaders-2026\/fares-akkad\/","title":{"rendered":"Fares Akkad"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-1 fusion-flex-container white-container max-width-1100 hundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#eae9e9;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-center\" style=\"width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-0 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-1 list-year\" style=\"text-align:center;\"><p>The Middle East\u2019s<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-2 main-list-name\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.forbesmiddleeast.com\/lists\/the-middle-easts-top-tech-leaders-2026\">Top Tech Leaders Of Global Companies<\/p>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><style>\n.custom_ads{\n   display:none !important;\n}\n.sector_size p {\n    font-size: 70px !important;\n    line-height: 50px !important;\n    font-family: Graphik-Semibold !important;\n    color: black 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!important;\n}\n\n\n<\/style><\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-0{width:100% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;}.fusion-builder-column-0 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 1.92%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 1.92%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1024px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-0{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-0 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-0{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-0 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}<\/style><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-flex-container.fusion-builder-row-1{ padding-top : 50px;margin-top : 0px;padding-right : 0px;padding-bottom : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;padding-left : 0px;}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-flex-container.fusion-builder-row-1{ padding-top : 20px;padding-right : 10px;padding-left : 10px;}}<\/style><\/div>\n<div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-2 fusion-flex-container max-width-1140 list_container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"background-color: #132030;background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#eae9e9;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start\" style=\"max-width:1185.6px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-1 fusion_builder_column_1_3 1_3 fusion-flex-column list_image\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 20px 20px 20px 20px;\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-3 list_image\">    <img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/forbesme-prestaging-media.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/lists\/uploads\/2026\/02\/06121409\/03_Fares-Akkad.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/forbesme-prestaging-media.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/lists\/uploads\/2026\/02\/06121409\/03_Fares-Akkad-66x66.jpg 66w, https:\/\/forbesme-prestaging-media.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/lists\/uploads\/2026\/02\/06121409\/03_Fares-Akkad-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/forbesme-prestaging-media.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/lists\/uploads\/2026\/02\/06121409\/03_Fares-Akkad-200x200.jpg 200w, 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\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-1{width:33.333333333333% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 20px;}.fusion-builder-column-1 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 20px !important;padding-right : 20px !important;margin-right : 0%;padding-bottom : 20px !important;padding-left : 20px !important;margin-left : 0%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1024px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-1{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-1 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-1{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-1 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 0%;margin-left : 0%;}}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-2 fusion_builder_column_2_3 2_3 fusion-flex-column\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 20px 20px 20px 20px;\"><style type=\"text\/css\">@media only screen and (max-width:1024px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-1{margin-top:0px!important;margin-bottom:0px!important;}}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-1 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-one list_title\" style=\"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;\"><h1 class=\"title-heading-left\" style=\"margin:0;color:#d00436;\">\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n  @media only screen and (max-width: 600px) {\n    .custom_line_height{\n      line-height: 40px !important;\n    }\n  }\n\n<\/style>\n<h1 class=\"title-heading-left custom_line_height\" style=\"margin:0;color:#d00436;\"><span class=\"custom_rank\">3. <\/span><span class=\"list_entry_title\">Fares Akkad<\/span><\/h1>\n\n\n<\/h1><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">@media only screen and (max-width:1024px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-2{margin-top:0px!important;margin-bottom:0px!important;}}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-2 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two list_category4\" style=\"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;\"><div class=\"title-heading-left title-heading-tag\" style=\"margin:0;color:#ffffff;\">\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n  .properties_title {\n    color: black;\n    font-weight: 600;\n    font-size: 20px;\n    font-family: 'Euclid';\n}\n\n.custom-spk-value-new {\n    font-family: \"Euclid\" !important;\n    font-size: 17px !important;\n    color: black;\n}\n<\/style>\n\n<div class=\"title-heading-left title-heading-tag\" style=\"margin:0;color:#ffffff;\"><span class=\"properties_title\">Company: <\/span><span class=\"custom-spk-value-new\">Meta<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">@media only screen and (max-width:1024px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-3{margin-top:0px!important;margin-bottom:0px!important;}}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-3 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two list_category4\" style=\"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;\"><div class=\"title-heading-left title-heading-tag\" style=\"margin:0;color:#ffffff;\">\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n  .properties_title {\n    color: black;\n    font-weight: 600;\n    font-size: 20px;\n    font-family: 'Euclid';\n}\n\n.custom-spk-value-new {\n    font-family: \"Euclid\" !important;\n    font-size: 17px !important;\n    color: black;\n}\n<\/style>\n\n<div class=\"title-heading-left title-heading-tag\" style=\"margin:0;color:#ffffff;\"><span class=\"properties_title\">Designation: <\/span><span class=\"custom-spk-value-new\">Managing Director\u2014Middle East & Africa<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">@media only screen and (max-width:1024px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-4{margin-top:0px!important;margin-bottom:0px!important;}}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-4 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two list_category4\" style=\"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;\"><div class=\"title-heading-left title-heading-tag\" style=\"margin:0;color:#ffffff;\">\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n  .properties_title {\n    color: black;\n    font-weight: 600;\n    font-size: 20px;\n    font-family: 'Euclid';\n}\n\n.custom-spk-value-new {\n    font-family: \"Euclid\" !important;\n    font-size: 17px !important;\n    color: black;\n}\n<\/style>\n\n<div class=\"title-heading-left title-heading-tag\" style=\"margin:0;color:#ffffff;\"><span class=\"properties_title\">Residence: <\/span><span class=\"custom-spk-value-new\">U.A.E.<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">@media only screen and (max-width:1024px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-5{margin-top:0px!important;margin-bottom:0px!important;}}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-5 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two list_category4\" style=\"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;\"><div class=\"title-heading-left title-heading-tag\" style=\"margin:0;color:#ffffff;\">\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n  .properties_title {\n    color: black;\n    font-weight: 600;\n    font-size: 20px;\n    font-family: 'Euclid';\n}\n\n.custom-spk-value-new {\n    font-family: \"Euclid\" !important;\n    font-size: 17px !important;\n    color: black;\n}\n<\/style>\n\n<div class=\"title-heading-left title-heading-tag\" style=\"margin:0;color:#ffffff;\"><span class=\"properties_title\">Global Headquarters: <\/span><span class=\"custom-spk-value-new\">U.S.<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-4\" style=\"font-size:17px;line-height:1.7;letter-spacing:0.01em !Important;color:#ffffff;\">\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n  ._22Ymv{\n    font-family: \"Euclid\" !important;\n    color: black !important;\n    margin-top: 10px;\n  }\n  \n<\/style>\n<div class=\"_22Ymv\">\n<p>Akkad assumed his current position at Meta in 2022, having joined the company in 2017. In February 2025, Meta launched Meta AI in MENA with full availability in the U.A.E., Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Morocco, and Iraq, with Arabic-language support. Akkad sits on the boards of Binghatti, CAFU, and advisory board of Aliph Capital. He was previously the director for media partnerships at Meta.<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-5\">  <style type=\"text\/css\">\n    .nav_link, .nav_link:hover {\n      color: #D00436 !important;\n      font-size: 16px;\n      margin: 0 10px;\n    }\n    .nav_link i {\n        font-size: 13px;\n    }\n    .nav_link{\n      overflow: hidden;\n      white-space: nowrap;\n    }\n    @media only screen and (min-width: 768px) {\n      .Next{\n        text-align: right;\n      }\n      .previous{\n        text-align: left;\n      }\n    }\n  <\/style>\n  <div class=\"row\">\n    <div class=\"navigation\">\n      <div class=\"col-lg-6 col-md-6 col-sm-12\">\n                    <div class=\"previous\">\n            \n            <a class=\"nav_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.forbesmiddleeast.com\/lists\/the-middle-easts-top-tech-leaders-2026\/anthony-nakache-abdul-rahman-al-thehaiban\/\" title=\"Anthony Nakache; Abdul Rahman Al Thehaiban\">\n              <i class=\"fa fa-chevron-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\" node-item=\"165\"><\/i>\n              Anthony Nakache; 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In February 2025, Meta launched Meta AI in MENA with full availability in the U.A.E., Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Morocco, and Iraq, with Arabic-language support. Akkad sits on the boards of Binghatti, CAFU, and advisory board of Aliph Capital. He was previously the director for media partnerships at Meta.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.forbesmiddleeast.com\/lists\/the-middle-easts-top-tech-leaders-2026\/fares-akkad\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Fares Akkad\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Akkad assumed his current position at Meta in 2022, having joined the company in 2017. In February 2025, Meta launched Meta AI in MENA with full availability in the U.A.E., Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Morocco, and Iraq, with Arabic-language support. Akkad sits on the boards of Binghatti, CAFU, and advisory board of Aliph Capital. 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