BIOGRAPHY OF SALEH ABDULLAH KAMEL

17 July 2025

Saleh Abdullah Kamel (1940 – 18 May 2020) was a Saudi Arabian billionaire businessman, visionary entrepreneur, and philanthropist.

He was born in Mecca in 1940. From an early age, he demonstrated an entrepreneurial spirit, making and selling toys to his friends during his childhood. He pursued his education in Mecca, Taif, and Jeddah, and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in commerce from the University of Riyadh (now King Saud University) in 1963.

Kamel was the founder and chairman of Dallah Al Baraka Group (DBHC), which he established nearly 50 years ago. Today, it stands as one of Saudi Arabia’s largest business conglomerates, with activities spanning across infrastructure, airport projects, banking, investment, healthcare, and tourism.

He played a pioneering role in Islamic banking, contributing significantly to its development both theoretically and practically. Kamel is recognized as one of the key figures who helped spread Islamic Finance globally and make it widely accepted. His contributions also extended to media investments, where he supported the establishment and growth of major platforms such as MBC and ART (Arab Radio and Television Network). He built a media empire, particularly strong in global sports broadcasting.

Kamel’s vision always focused on creating social value, not just financial success. He deeply believed that businesses must serve society and prioritized ethical, sustainable, and purpose-driven investments long before these concepts became popular in the modern business world.

His Al Baraka Banking Group and related investment funds continue to operate across three continents. Throughout his life, he remained active in social, official and semi official institutions, always pursuing agendas aligned with his values and integrity.

Saleh Abdullah Kamel passed away on 18 May 2020, at the age of 79. His legacy lives on as a man who not only built companies but also transformed systems and mindsets.

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