Lead Without Limits

Arab women in business are breaking new ground in the evolving economies of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), redefining entrepreneurship, technology, finance, and social impact. They are not just smashing glass ceilings but rather transforming cultural norms, facilitating massive economic developments, and empowering the generations to come.

Breaking into Tech and Innovation

Arab women in business are playing an increasingly prominent role in technology, which has been one of the most significant changes of recent years. The pioneers of EmotionAI such as Rana el Kaliouby, co-founder of Affectiva stretched the intrapersonal concept of this new advanced technology that would identify human emotions by referring to facial expressions and voices. Recent technological innovators include Hind Hobeika, a Lebanese woman who created a smart goggle called Instabeat. This device measures the heartbeat of swimmers, demonstrating how Arab women in business leverage their firsthand experiences to develop solutions to real-life challenges.

Backing this bulge are special programs like the Visa-backed “She’s Next” grant scheme, Saudi-based “Women in Tech” initiatives, and a slew of regional accelerators aimed at female founders to go further, further associating institutional backing with the urge to more Arab women entrepreneurs to innovate and scale.

E‑commerce & Fintech: Empowerment through Disruption

Arab businesswomen are changing the face of business not only in the Gulf but also in many places in the world. In Kuwait, an impressive 41 % of startups are currently on the path with female founders, significantly shaking up industries such as e-commerce and fintech- even in the face of traditional obstacles such as cultural opposition and access to finance.

Women entrepreneurs such as Hind Al-Nahedh of Shekra are changing the fintech landscape in the UAE by democratizing investment tools and financial services available to the underserved population. This is the wave that shows that Arab women in business are not only members of the economy; they are shaping its future.

Fashion, Beauty & Consumer Goods: Crafting Culture

The Arab women in business are integrating the new international trends with the tradition in the creative field. Other brands such as Mrs. Keepa, headed by Mariam Yehia, connect golden threads of sustainability with the Middle Eastern practices. The luxury accessories of OKHTEIN/lane, a name coined by the Egyptian sisters Aya and Mounaz O Abdelraouf have caught the attention of the international community, including celebrities.

The transformation is also evident in beauty. Mona and Huda Kattan, entrepreneurs of Iraqi American descent, are co-owners of Huda Beauty and Kayali Fragrances, and Mona took the position of CEO in 2025, thus showing the international impact of Arab women in business in the beauty sector. Meanwhile, in clean beauty, the market demand is met by platforms such as Beauty Binge founded by Minal Siyal, whose business model is premium and organic products.  

Corporate Leadership & Family Business Dynasties

In addition to startups, Arab women in business are also taking up influential positions within corporate conglomerates. Areej Mohsin Darwish is the president of the ACERE cluster of the Mohsin Haider Darwish LLC in Oman which is considered one of the most successful families of businesses in the region, year after year. Saudi Arabia and Bahrain have individuals such as Lubna Olayan and Mona Almoayyed, who are leading conglomerates and championing women’s rights through board actions and philanthropic activities.

The 100 most powerful businesswomen in 2025, which is published by Forbes Middle East, includes top Arab female business representatives such as Hana Al Rostamani, the Group CEO of First Abu Dhabi Bank, driving the financial expansion of one of the largest banks in the region.

Entrepreneurship with a social cause is also becoming a movement among Arab women in business. Nour Emam established the first Egyptian feminine technology platform, MotherBeing, addressing reproductive and mental health stigmatization in the country – and was among BBC 100 Women in 2024.

Inspiring the Next Generation

The difference with these leaders is their resiliency, creativity, and vision. Arab women in business are breaking boundaries, whether it be breaking social-cultural barriers or establishing international brands. Their narratives act as guiding lights among younger women venturing into business, disrupting stereotypes, and creating a culture where talent and ambition, rather than gender, are the key to success.

Whether it be in AI-based emotion-recognition, exclusive perfumes, eco-friendly fashion, fintech, or social activism, Arab women have important roles to play in revolutionizing the realm of entrepreneurship throughout the MENA region. Their leadership is driving economic development, breaking down conventions and fostering transformation across industries. These extraordinary women will carry on leading without boundaries to serve their communities and the world at large as societies, governments, and investors become more aware and supportive of their potential.

 Read More – Arab Women Empowerment Through Business in 2025