Abdullah Amer Al Nahdi, a distinguished Saudi businessman, is widely recognized as one of the leading pioneers of the healthcare sector in the Kingdom.
He played a transformative role in reshaping the retail pharmacy market into a structured industry driven by standards, quality, and innovation.
What began as a modest venture with the acquisition of just two pharmacies in Jeddah in the mid-1980s has grown under his leadership into the Kingdom’s largest pharmacy chain,
later evolving into a publicly listed company at the forefront of the private healthcare sector, with steady expansion beyond national borders.
His journey—where entrepreneurial vision intersected with social responsibility and a strong sense of community—made his name synonymous with sustainable corporate growth, long-term family governance, and wealth preservation across generations.
Early Life and Beginnings
Born and raised in an environment that valued initiative and hard work, Abdullah Al Nahdi quickly recognized the potential in the emerging retail pharmaceutical sector—a market in need of organized players capable of delivering reliable services on a wide scale.
In 1986, he made a decisive move by acquiring two pharmacies in Jeddah. He worked tirelessly to build a brand trusted by consumers and respected by physicians,
with a focus on consistent drug supply and high-quality in-store experiences.
These modest beginnings would later ignite the creation of Al Nahdi Medical, which went on to become the most recognizable brand in the Kingdom’s pharmacy sector.
Education
Al Nahdi studied economics and management at King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah,
equipping him with an academic foundation that framed his entrepreneurial journey with analytical and governance-oriented principles.
This academic grounding enabled him to design scalable business and supply models, later refined through strategic alliances, institutional financing, and disciplined management.
These elements proved critical in transforming his business from a family-owned enterprise into a publicly listed company.
Career and Professional Path
Following the launch of his venture in 1986, Al Nahdi pursued a steady trajectory of growth.
In 2003, SEDCO Holding became a key shareholder in the company, strengthening its corporate structure and providing resources and expertise that accelerated horizontal and vertical expansion in supply chains, technology, and services.
Over the following two decades, Al Nahdi Medical grew into the Kingdom’s largest pharmacy network, with a presence also in the UAE.
This journey culminated in a landmark initial public offering (IPO) in 2022 on the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul),
marking a new era of transparency, governance, and capital market-driven growth.
Today, Abdullah Al Nahdi serves as Vice Chairman of Al Nahdi Medical, while also holding leadership roles as Chairman of Al Nahdi Holding Group, Chairman of the Board of Trustees at the Al Nahdi Humanitarian Foundation, and board member of several leading organizations,
including the King Salman Center for Disability Research and King Abdulaziz University Endowments.
In 2019, he established the Al Nahdi Family Office, serving as the governing entity for family wealth, investments, and long-term governance across generations.
Achievements
Al Nahdi’s most significant achievement lies in building Al Nahdi Medical from a small nucleus into a network of over 1,000 pharmacies,
successfully unifying operational standards and customer experience in a previously fragmented sector.
He established a disciplined culture of supply chain management, inventory control, and IT integration,
ensuring efficiency and minimizing waste while increasing drug availability.
The company also expanded its offerings to include health products, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical consultations, transforming pharmacies into trusted primary healthcare destinations.
Strategic milestones, such as the 2003 partnership with SEDCO Holding, laid the groundwork for robust governance structures attractive to institutional investors.
By the time of its IPO in 2022, the company was fully equipped with strong profitability, disclosure, and growth metrics.
By the end of 2024, Al Nahdi Medical operated around 1,181 pharmacies, predominantly in the Kingdom with a footprint in the UAE,
generating multi-billion-dollar revenues and demonstrating how disciplined execution and accumulated expertise can elevate a local initiative into a market leader.
Beyond his commercial accomplishments, Al Nahdi has also left a strong community impact through initiatives led by the Al Nahdi Humanitarian Foundation,
as well as contributions in education, research, and support for people with disabilities.
This reflects his philosophy of shared value between the private sector and society.
His institutional approach also extends to family wealth management through the Al Nahdi Family Office,
ensuring diversified long-term investments in healthcare, transportation, fitness, education, and multiple asset classes—while preserving the values and identity that defined his entrepreneurial journey.
Personal Life
Abdullah Al Nahdi maintains a high degree of privacy in his personal and family life, preferring to let his institutions and achievements reflect his philosophy and values.
His humanitarian presence is evident through philanthropic work and support for health and research initiatives,
such as his board membership at the King Salman Center for Disability Research and contributions to the King Abdulaziz University Endowments.
This balance between commercial success and social responsibility highlights a deeply rooted commitment to both business excellence and community service, without unnecessary media exposure of his private life.
Wealth
The success of Al Nahdi Medical, its public listing, and ongoing expansion have been reflected in Abdullah Al Nahdi’s personal fortune.
According to Forbes Middle East, his net worth was estimated at $2.3 billion in 2025, placing him among the wealthiest Arabs.
Behind these numbers lies a publicly listed company generating multi-billion-dollar revenues in 2023–2024,
alongside a structured family investment ecosystem managed through the Al Nahdi Family Office, designed for wealth preservation, diversification, and sustainable growth.
See More: Mohammad Abunayyan: The Businessman Who Turned Sunlight into Billions
