Hamdi Akın Net Worth

Hamdi Akın has an estimated net worth of $2.6 billion, according to Forbes Real-Time Billionaires, Hamdi Akın profile (figures as of October 20, 2026). That is up from $1.1 billion in 2019.

Hamdi Akın is a Turkish businessman who founded Akfen Holding, a diversified group with investments in energy, real estate development, and infrastructure. He began working while still at university, making heating boilers and water and fuel tanks in his father’s workshop. After graduating, he moved into contracting and started Akfen in 1976. In the 1980s, his work centered on infrastructure projects, along with hospitals and school buildings, helping turn a small business into a larger platform.

A major break came through airport projects. In 1986, he developed the Antalya Airport Terminal Building with the build-operate-transfer model. In 1997, he founded TAV Airports with TEPE Group and VIE Group after winning the İstanbul Atatürk Airport tender, and he later served as chairman of TAV Airports Holding from 2005 to 2017. He also expanded into ports, hotels, vehicle inspection, ferries, and real estate. Forbes put his wealth at $2.6 billion on its real-time tracker as of October 20, 2026.

How Hamdi Akın built his business

Akın’s wealth comes from a mix of infrastructure and related businesses built over decades. He started as a contractor, then expanded into airports, ports, real estate, energy, and public service projects. Winning the operating tenders for İstanbul Atatürk Airport and Ankara Esenboğa Airport led to the creation of TAV Airports Holding. Akfen later brought together businesses tied to airports, construction, port investment and management, energy, and other infrastructure under one holding company.

He also made money through major deals and newer focus areas. In 2005, he partnered 50/50 with PSA and won the privatization tender for Mersin Port’s 36 years of operating rights. In 2006, he founded Akfen Real Estate Investment Trust and formed a partnership with Accor S.A. for city hotels. In 2012, he sold 38% of TAV to Aéroports de Paris Group for $874 million, and in 2017 he sold his remaining 8% for $160 million. Today, Akfen is mainly focused on renewable energy, hospitals, and student housing.

What Forbes says about his fortune

Forbes has tracked Akın’s fortune rising over time, with some pauses along the way. It estimated his net worth at $1.1 billion in 2019, then $1.5 billion in 2020. That same $1.5 billion estimate stayed in place in 2021, 2022, and 2023. In 2024, Forbes lowered the figure to $1.4 billion. By 2025, the estimate moved up to $1.7 billion, showing how billionaire rankings can shift from year to year.

The latest numbers from Forbes show another jump. It listed Akın at $1.8 billion on the 2026 World’s Billionaires List, and later showed $2.6 billion on its real-time billionaires tracker in October 2026. His business history helps explain that scale. He built Akfen from contracting into a diversified group, made large airport stake sales, and kept capital tied to infrastructure, real estate, and renewable energy. He has also transferred ownership of Akfen to Pelin and Selim, who both serve on its board.