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Sustainability is now a universal direction for the entire world. It’s not a luxury to be sustainable but rather a necessity to be able to sense a real difference. This direction is not limited to individuals, but it has become one of the core pillars for businesses as well.
The MENA region has been undergoing a significant transformation, especially when it comes to sustainability and embracing sustainable growth.
Sustainable Growth ≠ Only Going Green
Sustainability has always been associated with being green and environmentally friendly. While certainly taking the biggest portion, sustainable growth encompasses much more than that. Sustainable growth is defined as “the realistic growth that a business can achieve and maintain without having any consequences or compromising the well-being of future generations.”
This concept aims to find a balance between economic thriving and progression and social responsibility toward the environment and society.
But the question still stands: what does sustainable growth encompass in addition to environmental responsibility? Sustainable growth includes key aspects, such as economic and social sustainability.
Economic sustainability focuses on the stability of finances through managing resources and consumptions while aiming for long-term growth.
Social sustainability focuses on maintaining the well-being of society through equity and inclusivity.
Why Sustainable Growth Matters in the MENA Region
The MENA region is known for its many industries and investments. This left it burdened with many challenges, especially when it comes to sustainability.
Over the years, industries in the MENA region usually relied on strategies and procedures that contradicted the concept of sustainability. This includes increased water consumption, waste, and carbon footprint.
Despite keeping the production cycle going, all of these procedures did more harm than good in the long run. For instance, problems like overexploitation of resources, talent drain, and technological stagnation appeared. Therefore, industries had no choice but to start expanding their horizons and adapting new sustainable strategies that reduce these challenges.
The MENA’s Efforts in Sustainable Growth
The MENA region’s stride towards sustainable growth is undeniably exceptional. One of the examples that proves these efforts is Saudi Arabia’s NEOM. It is a smart city built entirely to achieve sustainable goals. It runs entirely on renewable energy and zero waste recycling.
Also, another example worth mentioning is the UAE’s Green Agenda 2030, which aims to achieve economic sustainability and an eco-friendlier environment.
TIME’S World’s Best Companies in Sustainable Growth 2025 Featuring Two MENA Stars
This list by TIME and Statista for the world’s best companies in sustainable growth aims to identify the businesses that show outstanding efforts to achieve sustainability. Among thousands of companies, they combined a list of the top 500 that were able to show dedication and commitment toward this goal.
Among the 500 international companies, the MENA region was able to secure two places on the list with the QNB Group and ElSewedy Electric.
QNB Group, or Qatar National Bank, was 140 of 500 on the list, with a score of 80.85. They have been focusing their efforts immensely towards sustainability in the last couple of years, either by implementing sustainable finance or CSR activities.
ElSewedy Electric represents the only African and Egyptian company on the list. It comes in the 298th place with a score of 76.01. El Sewedy Electric’s sustainable efforts are worth noting. They prove a true commitment to making a true impact without any consequences. They try to achieve this through applying policies that aim to reduce carbon footprint, using renewable energy, and being resource efficient.
In Conclusion
The future of the MENA region depends on sustainable growth, which is now viewed as more than just a buzzword. Businesses in the MENA like QNB and ElSewedy Electric started establishing themselves as global leaders in this innovative era by tackling sustainability concerns, encouraging innovation, and adapting to global standards. Strategic investments, collaborative effort, and a dedication to striking a balance between social, economic, and environmental concerns are all necessary for this journey. A resilient and affluent future is being paved by MENA’s embrace of sustainability, which will benefit communities and companies in the long run.
