Sheikh Suhail Bahwan Passes Away; One of Oman’s Greatest Economic Figures with an Estimated Fortune of $5 Billion

26 November 2025
Sheikh Suhail bin Salem Bahwan, one of the most prominent entrepreneurs and architects of the modern economy of the Sultanate of Oman, passed away at the age of 88. He was the founder of the Suhail Bahwan Group, a conglomerate that today comprises more than 40 active companies operating in the automotive, energy, chemical industries, logistics, technology, desalination, and tourism sectors.

According to unofficial estimates by regional economic institutions, his wealth in the final years of his life was estimated at around $5 billion, a figure that cemented his position among the wealthiest and most influential businessmen in the Arab world.

Suhail Bahwan began his economic activity through traditional maritime trade with India and East Africa. In the 1970s, after acquiring the Toyota dealership in Oman, he became one of the pioneers of the modern automotive industry in the country. The rapid expansion of the Bahwan Group played a key role in Oman’s industrial growth and large-scale job creation.

In addition to his business activities, he also played a significant role through the Suhail Bahwan Charitable Foundation in the fields of housing for the underprivileged, healthcare, education, and support for orphans.