Female-led businesses are optimistic about growth, with 98% of owners expecting revenue to increase over the next five years.Â
By Maggie Mancini
Women in the United Arab Emirates are increasingly embracing entrepreneurship, with 84% considering starting their own business, according to research from Mastercard. As more women step into the world of business, opportunities to enhance access to capital, strengthen business networks, and boost financial confidence will further accelerate their success and long-term growth. Â
In the UAE, a nearly equal proportion of men and women identify as entrepreneurs (47% of men and 49% of women), reflecting the country’s evolving business landscape. The study further reveals that financial independence, flexibility, and social impact are the top motivators for women pursuing entrepreneurship. The industries in which women in the UAE are most likely to launch businesses include food and drink (26%), online selling (22%), and cosmetics (19%), reflecting opportunities in consumer-driven markets. Â
Women-led businesses are also optimistic about growth, with 98% of women expecting revenue to increase over the next five years, surpassing male business owners (85%). Â
Despite strong ambition, women in the UAE recognise areas where additional support could help them accelerate their success. The study highlights that:Â
- women are three times more likely than men to cite a lack of confidence as a barrier to starting a business;Â
- more than two-thirds (67%) of women in the UAE state that not having enough funding is the primary challenge to starting a business; andÂ
- nearly 40% of female founders say that not knowing where to start with a business plan or accessing key infrastructure are challenges. Â
Women in the UAE are increasingly leveraging side hustles to gain financial independence. More than half (56%) of women currently have an extra source of income, compared to 52% of men, with freelancing, tutoring, and content creation ranking among the most popular income streams.Â
