One-Third of New CEOs in the UAE are Women: A Promising Future for Female Leadership

ADNOC Gas announced on Tuesday the appointment of Fatema Al Nuaimi as the company’s CEO starting January 1, 2025. This move further strengthens the role of Emirati women in senior leadership positions and highlights the commitment of companies to implement the UAE Securities and Commodities Authority’s 2021 decision to allocate at least one board seat for women in public joint-stock companies.

Significant Progress Toward Leadership Diversity

The initiative has expanded beyond public joint-stock companies to include private joint-stock companies, following a decision by the Ministry of Economy in September 2024. This decision aims to improve institutional performance and enhance economic outcomes. It reflects the UAE’s strategic vision to create a more inclusive leadership environment with a focus on increasing female representation in decision-making roles.

Women Driving Change in Boardrooms

According to a study conducted by Heidrick & Struggles last October, nearly one-third of new board appointments in UAE-based companies over the past 12 months were filled by women. This marks a profound shift not only within the UAE but across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. Both the UAE and Saudi Arabia have made significant strides in gender equality in recent years, driven by a clear vision for improved environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards.

Emirati Women in the Economy and Entrepreneurship

A recent report by the UAE Businesswomen’s Council revealed that women’s participation in the workforce increased to 34.6% in 2024, up from 32.5% in 2023, signaling the growing role of women in the UAE’s economy.

18% of entrepreneurs in the UAE are women.
77.6% of women-owned businesses are led by women under the age of 40.
48.8% hold executive positions, while 61.4% run their businesses independently.

The report also highlighted that over 2,000 new companies were founded by Emirati businesswomen in the first half of 2024, representing 22% of all new businesses registered in the UAE during the same period.

The numbers and achievements speak for themselves. From CEO appointments to an increasing role in entrepreneurship, the UAE has successfully empowered women as a vital part of its economic growth strategy. This progress is not merely a local accomplishment but a global model of balancing efficiency with equal opportunities.

Seeing Emirati women in leadership positions today reinforces the UAE’s position as a global hub that embraces best practices in governance and human development, ensuring the nation continues its journey of excellence and leadership.