Top 100 Arabs 2024

68. Badr Jafar

CEO, Crescent Enterprises

Origin: UAE

Residence: UAE

Sector: Diversified

2023 Rank: 69

Badr Jafar oversees the operations of four companies functioning under the umbrella of Crescent Enterprises across 15 countries. In addition, the group’s diverse portfolio spans sectors ranging from ports and logistics, power and engineering, food and beverage to business aviation.

Under Jafar’s leadership, CE-Ventures, the venture capital arm of Crescent Enterprises invested in Freya Biosciences’ $38m Series A fundraising round in January 2023 to advance women’s reproductive immunotherapies.

The venture capital platform also led France-based Exeliom Biosciences’ $26m Series A funding round in July 2023. He is also spearheading the launch of multiple businesses under CE-Creates, including Kava & Chai, a homegrown coffeehouse chain and mobility platform, ION, in partnership with BEEAH Group.

Khaled Mohammed Balama

Mishal Kanoo