Increase in Female Entrepreneurs; Top Executive Women in UAE's Corporate Sector

Increase in Female Entrepreneurs; Top Executive Women in UAE's Corporate Sector

Headline: Empowering Women Entrepreneurs: UAE Leads the Charge in the MENA Region

In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a new wave of female entrepreneurs is challenging the status quo, shattering traditional limitations, and reshaping the economy. This shift is characterized by Emirati and expatriate women launching businesses, claiming leadership roles, and defying expectations.

Case Study: Nadia Alamri, ACCU Group Founder

Nadia Alamri, an Emirati woman in the hijab, openly discusses the reality of building a business on social media. As a mother and former government official, Alamri left her stable career to found ACCU Group and Accutax Consultancy in Dubai. Breaking into the male-dominated world of finance and consulting wasn't easy, but Alamri's determination and aggressiveness have paved the way for her success.

Highlight of the UAE's Support for Women Entrepreneurs

1. Startups on the Rise: Nearly a quarter of Emirati women who run small businesses are now the primary income earners for their families. Today, 36% of small businesses in the UAE are women-owned, with 80% of them launched in the last five years—many in the aftermath of Covid-19[2].
2. Future Business Opportunities: Mastercard research indicates that 84% of women in the UAE are considering starting a business, with financial freedom, flexibility, and social impact as top motivators[2]. Women are moving into growth industries like food and drink, online selling, and cosmetics, and 98% of women business owners expect their revenue to rise over the next five years, outpacing men[2].
3. Female Representation on Boards: Over the past three years, women's representation on UAE-listed company boards has jumped by 200%. Last year, women held 141 seats in boardrooms compared to only 47 seats in 2021[3].
4. Legislation Driving Change: Starting in January 2025, all private joint-stock companies in the UAE must appoint at least one woman to their board of directors, regulation introduced by the Securities and Commodities Authority[3]. This builds upon earlier efforts, such as the Dubai Women Establishment's 'Women on Boards' initiative, launched in 2012, which aimed to increase female presence on corporate boards and led to the UAE Cabinet's decision to make representation mandatory across corporations and government entities[3].

Why It Matters

Investors are paying attention to the rise of women in business, with nearly 40% now factoring gender diversity into their due diligence before cutting a check[2]. This means that, beyond being a fairness issue, gender parity in business is a strategic initiative completely aligned with the UAE's economic vision for 2030.

Resources for Female Entrepreneurs

1. TiE Women MENA Program: This program, now in its sixth edition in 2025, supports the next generation of female founders by offering mentorship, pitch competitions, and direct access to global investor networks[4].
2. Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development: This institution provides capital and mentorship to women-led SMEs in the UAE[4].
3. She's Next by Visa: This initiative offers funding and business training to female founders across the region[4].

Conclusion

The momentum in women's entrepreneurship isn't just observed at the startup level; it extends to leadership positions on company boards and in the C-suite—a clear demonstration of the UAE's drive for economic diversification reshaping who holds power. The cost of sidelining this talent is real, as the UAE stands to boost its GDP by 23% by closing the gender gap[3]. With government support, private sector initiatives, and expanding networks for female entrepreneurs, maintaining this momentum is essential for the UAE's vision of a diverse and thriving economy.

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Sources:

1. World Economic Forum: Women Entrepreneurs in the MENA region
2. Khaleej Times: More women are becoming primary income earners in UAE
3. Grant Thornton: Women in Business UAE Edition 2025
4. TiE Women MENA Program
5. CEIC: Ease of Doing Business Ranking 2023
6. The growth of women entrepreneurs in the UAE, as seen in Nadia Alamri's success in the real estate and finance sectors, is redefining the environment for business and lifestyle.
7. Alamri's determination and aggressiveness in breaching the male-dominated world of finance and consulting is a testament to women's potential in challenging industries, fostering diversity-and-inclusion in the workforce.
8. The UAE's strategic economic vision for 2030 is aligned with the surge in women entrepreneurs, as investors now consider gender diversity as a significant factor in their finance decisions.
9. Homegrown programs and initiatives, such as the TiE Women MENA Program and Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, are empowering female entrepreneurs by providing them with mentorship, resources, and access to financial capital.
10. Female representation on boards and in leadership positions of UAE companies, which has seen a dramatic increase over the past three years, is further evidence of the transformation in the business and culture landscape.
11. In line with the global drive for sustainable development and healthier lifestyles, women are seizing opportunities in various industries, like health, food, and even culture, that foster positive social impacts.
12. As the number of women-led startups continues to soar, fueled by government support and private sector initiatives, the UAE stands to experience further economic growth and diversification, with an estimated 23% increase in GDP by closing the gender gap.

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