Emirate Women Turning To Entrepreneurship Like Never Before

By: Rachita Sharma, Managing Editor | Friday, 5 December 2025

Emirati women entrepreneurs are no longer waiting to get seats at the table; they are building their own.

A recent Mastercard study supports this claim. The study concluded that lately women women's entrepreneurial ambition across the UAE has been growing exponentially. Of the total respondents, nearly 84 percent of women said that they are considering starting their own businesses. This statistic points towards a rise in Emirati women’s entrepreneurial ambition while also signalling towards a wider shift in cultural and social norms where women’s ambition is being seen in positive light.

Data from corporate services firm, Sovereign, concluded that in 2025, women form 18 percent of all entrepreneurs in the UAE.

Another factor contributing to this growth is the UAE government’s targeted initiatives that are strengthening women’s entrepreneurial vision. The Ministry of Economy's Investment Readiness Acceleration Programme, in partnership with the European Women Association, is equipping female founders with investor-ready skills. Regionally, programs like She Wins Arabia, backed by the International Finance Corporation and ADGM, provide mentorship, funding pathways, and international exposure. Beyond accelerators, policy interventions are also reshaping the landscape.

New regulations mandating at least one female on the board of joint-stock companies, have also been boosting women’s presence in leadership roles.

It’s a great time to be a female entrepreneur, business leader and professional in the UAE. This sentiment is echoed in the success stories of varied business leaders who are currently ruling their industries. The current edition of WER magazine spotlights a few such names.

In this edition meet Risivarthini Muralikumar. She is the Executive Director of Lab of Future, a UAE and India-based edtech innovation ecosystem. She is recognized for revolutionizing education by blending experiential learning in AI, robotics, drones and space science with creativity and resilience through the STREAMER™ model.

This special magazine edition also features an interview with Aye Su Maw, the Founder of SUE Realty, a purpose-driven real estate firm in Dubai. With diverse business experience and a passion for creating meaningful impact, she combines strategic insight with empathy, helping clients find not just properties but spaces that inspire, connect, and elevate lives.

Such women leaders are shining exemplars of women leaders’ rise across UAE. The future is looking bright and equitable.

Do let us know your thoughts, readers.