Empowering Women Entrepreneurs: The Rise of Female-Led Businesses in the UAE

The UAE has made significant progress in promoting female entrepreneurship over the years. In the UAE, 77.6% of women-owned businesses (WOB) are run by people under the age of 40, according to a recent survey by NAMA Women Advancement in collaboration with UN Women.

The results of this study were published in the book "Women-Owned Businesses in the United Arab Emirates: A Golden Opportunity," which was co-written by NAMA Women Advancement and the UN Women's Economic Empowerment Section. Young women are clearly contributing considerably to the GDP in developing economic sectors, as shown by the survey of 1,000 female business owners, of whom 48.8% are CEOs and 61.4% are sole proprietors.

 In order to improve the sustainability of economic sectors and diversify the sources of national income, this addressed the reality and prospects of Emirati women's contributions to the UAE's complete development. Therefore, the country recognizes the potential and contribution of women in the economy and has implemented various initiatives to support and encourage them for Business set up in Dubai.

•    Dubai Business Women Council: The 2002-founded Dubai Business Women Council is dedicated to the professional and personal growth of businesswomen and female entrepreneurs in the UAE. By giving them access to finance, coaching, and networking opportunities, the project strives to encourage and empower female entrepreneurs.

•    Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development: The Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development (KFED) runs a number of highly targeted financing and training initiatives, including those for women, to aid in the establishment and expansion of their businesses. KFED aims to promote entrepreneurship, foster an environment of innovation, and assist SMEs.

•    Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for SME Development: Dubai SME is an integrated division of the Department of Economic Development (DED), which supports the SMEs and entrepreneurs in the emirate of Dubai. This provides a variety of services and initiatives, such as mentorship and training, to aid business owners, particularly those who are women-owned.

•    Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy: The Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy (FBMA) is a not-for-profit government entity of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. This promotes women's entrepreneurship through sports and fitness by offering business training programs for female athletes.

These initiatives have helped to create a more supportive environment for women entrepreneurs in the UAE. 

Here is a list of businesses inspired by female-owned businesses in the Middle East that are in high demand among women in the UAE:

•    Fine Jewellery - The fine jewellery business is considered a lucrative industry in the UAE due to its strong culture of luxury and wealth, making it an ideal market for high-end jewellery brands. Moreover, the country is home to a large number of expatriates and tourists who are often willing to spend money on luxury items like fine jewellery.
•    Café and Bookshops - Café and bookshop businesses are thriving in the UAE due to its large ex-pat population, high literacy rates, growing coffee culture, strong social media presence, and the country's move towards a knowledge-based economy.
•    Baby E-commerce Shops - The baby e-commerce business is a lucrative industry in the UAE due to a high birth rate, a young population, the increasing popularity of e-commerce, and a high standard of living.
•    Home Salon Services - The home salon service is thriving due to various factors, including the high demand for beauty services, the growing trend of convenience and time-saving, a large population of busy professionals and parents, lower overhead costs, and the COVID-19 pandemic pushing people towards safer alternatives to traditional salons.

For Business set up in Dubai there are endless creative opportunities for women. The businesses mentioned earlier are just a few examples of inspiring ventures for women. So, what are you waiting for? Start your own business now and become part of the growing community of female entrepreneurs in the UAE.

Get in contact with us right away to learn more about our services and how we can assist you. Our main office is located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, at Pyramid Centre, Office 108, and PO Box: 89561. You can reach us by phone at +971 4256 466.