Asma Al Fahim, Chairwoman of the Abu Dhabi Businesswomen Council (ADBWC), said that Emirati women represent 18 per cent of entrepreneurs in the UAE, owning approximately 128,500 small and medium enterprises and 135,000 projects.
Al Fahim noted that the number of business licences issued to Emirati businesswomen in Abu Dhabi rose to 27,331 by mid-2024, a 23 per cent increase compared to 22,226 licences during the same period in 2023.
She highlighted the UAE’s global progress in gender equality, ranking seventh worldwide and first regionally on the UNDP Gender Equality Index for 2024, a leap from 49th in 2015.
The UAE also scored 82.5 out of 100 in the World Bank’s 2023 Women, Business and the Law report.
Recent initiatives, such as mandating at least one woman on private company boards and targeting 30 per cent female representation in private sector leadership by 2025, further underscore the UAE’s commitment to gender parity.
Al Fahim stressed that empowering women is deeply rooted in Emirati culture and values, a vision championed by the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, which has elevated women’s roles in advancing the UAE’s socio-economic development, making them integral to the nation’s thriving “Falcon Economy.” She credited government support, private sector collaboration, and a focus on economic inclusion for establishing a robust ecosystem that attracts businesswomen and professionals, positioning Abu Dhabi as a global hub for female entrepreneurs.
“The Abu Dhabi Businesswomen Council, established under the guidance of His Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak (Mother of the Nation), Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union (GWU), President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation (FDF), provides tailored consultations, access to project funding, and other services to support women in achieving their business aspirations.”
Al Fahim highlighted initiatives such as the Best Innovative and Creative Project Award which foster innovation and market expansion. She also pointed to international partnerships that offer leadership training for Emirati women, enabling their global competitiveness.
As part of these efforts, the Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, in collaboration with Abu Dhabi’s Department of Economic Development, launched the SWAN programme to help Emirati women transform home-based businesses into licensed, sustainable enterprises. The programme provides business and leadership training alongside financial support.
Al Fahim concluded by highlighting the inaugural Abu Dhabi Business Week as a platform to celebrate the achievements of Emirati businesswomen and explore new opportunities. The event features influential speakers, including Dr. Sara Sabry, the first Arab astronaut, Jo Malone, founder of Jo Malone and Jo Loves, and Randi Zuckerberg, former Facebook CMO and CEO of Zuckerberg Media, offering attendees valuable insights and networking opportunities with investors and industry leaders.
In September, The Abu Dhabi Businesswomen Council, a subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ADCCI), in collaboration with ETHER by Cloud Spaces, has launched six innovative brands owned by Emirati female entrepreneurs.
This initiative is part of a strategic partnership between the two entities designed to empower women in the retail sector, both locally and internationally.
The partnership, which commenced a year ago, has successfully launched 18 home grown brands to date in three batches, offering Emirati women entrepreneurs a platform to enter the competitive retail space.
By showcasing their unique products at the ETHER store in Yas Mall, Abu Dhabi, these entrepreneurs are reaching broader audiences and cementing their presence in key commercial markets across the UAE.
Nema F Al Aghbari, Marketing & Membership Manager at the Abu Dhabi Businesswomen Council, said, “The launch of the third round of Abu Dhabi based female-owned startups highlights our unwavering commitment to fostering the growth of women in business. We’re very proud of the work they’ve done thus far, these entrepreneurs are entering innovative and sustainable fields, contributing fresh perspectives to the market.
Notably, our partnership with ETHER by Cloud Spaces has been vital in providing them with the tools and guidance needed to excel. The new brands unveiled at the ETHER shop are a testament to the endless creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit of our female entrepreneurs in Abu Dhabi. We’re delighted to not only celebrate the launch of the six brands, but also celebrate the diverse talents and passions of their female founders.”
WAM