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30 WOMEN BEHIND MIDDLE EASTERN BRANDS 2022

Women in MENA are increasingly taking on leading roles within the region’s largest enterprises, but they are also establishing their own successful businesses in rising numbers, with operations in all sectors of the economy. Some of these businesses are garnering international attention, with some arguably shaping the sectors they perform in. Forbes Middle East’s list of 30 Women Behind Middle Eastern Brands features brands across six countries in MENA. The U.A.E. is home to 13 of these successful businesses, followed by Egypt with eight and Lebanon with five. The list also represents 18 different nationalities, with Egyptians dominating the list with 11 entries, followed by Lebanese with four entries. Some of these brands are now international labels appearing at the world’s most anticipated events, such Rayan Al Sulaimani’s Atelier Zuhra, who dressed Paris Hilton at the 2022 Grammys. Huda Kattan was also recognized on Forbes’ list of America’s Self-Made Women 2021.

BUILDING ON MEMORIES

Mouna Abbassy is on a mission to make her skincare brand IZIL the number one name in science-led natural beauty, inspired by the heritage of her Moroccan home. She’s redefining the sector by relying on more than good marketing.

20 WOMEN BEHIND MIDDLE EASTERN TECH BRANDS 2022

Our list of 20 Women Behind Middle Eastern Tech Brands highlights the female founders and cofounders of some of the region’s most successful tech-enabled platforms and apps. This year’s ranking highlights a diverse group of people from 17 different nationalities working in 13 sectors, whose businesses are predominantly based in the U.A.E. with 13 entries, followed by Egypt and Saudi Arabia, each being home to two of these companies. Some of these companies are leading the startup ecosystem in MENA, such as Rita Huang Zhen’s iMile for delivery services, whose company was also the ninth most-funded startup in the region in 2021. Others, such as Mona Ataya and Leena Khalil of Mumzworld and Anuscha Ahmed Iqbal of Spotii, have successfully led some of MENA’s most significant exit deals in 2021.

The World's 5 Most Valuable Healthtech Unicorns

The global boom in unicorns doesn' seem to be slowing down. There were 1,050 private companies with a valuation of over $1 billion as of March 2022. Here are the five most valuable healthtech unicorns in the world, according to CB Insights. None are more than seven years old. Figures are as of March 11, 2022.

Nose for Business

Swabs for Covid testing made Copan CEO Stefania Triva a billionaire. Despite countless buyout offers, though, she's snubbing the dealmakers and keeping the company firmly in the family.

How Much Money Are At-Home Covid-19 Tests Bringing In?

Seven of the most prominent test makers are navigating a whiplash marketplace.

What's In A Name?

Facebook is not the first company to decide to start a new chapter with a new name. These household brands also launched with different monikers to what they now use.

Transforming Trucking

With a $10.5 million pre-Series A funding round under his belt, Sherif Taher, co-founder and CEO of Egypt-based trucking technology platform Naqla, is driving digital change in the country's road freight sector.

REFINING PHARMA

Said Darwazah, Executive Chairman of Hikma Pharmaceuticals, has helped build his family business into a global enterprise over the last 41 years. With a market cap of over $6.2 billion, the Jordanian company is today competing with international heavyweights.

THE MIDDLE EAST'S TOP 50 HEALTHCARE LEADERS

MEET THE REGION’S MOST IMPACTFUL AND INNOVATIVE LEADERS FROM ACROSS THE HEALTHCARE ECOSYSTEM.

Microsoft's Milestones

This year, Microsoft celebrates its 47th anniversary. Here's a glance at some of the company's biggest achievements in that time.

MENA's Most-Funded Healthtech Startups

Entrepreneurs in MENA are increasingly digitizing healthcare services, and investors' appetite is also growing. Here are five of the region's most-funded healthtech startups, which have raised over $70 million in total funding to date. We have only included startups no more than seven years old. We excluded startups that were acquired, merged, or have gone public. Cut off for disclosed funding was March 16, 2022.

5 Non-Health Companies Investing In Healthcare

These five global titans in tech and retail are leveraging their knowledge, experience, and resources to push forward innovation in the multi-trillion-dollar healthcare industry.

HARNESSING HEALTHTECH

Sherif Beshara, CEO of American Hospital Dubai and Group CEO of the Mohamed & Obaid Al Mulla Group, has been investing in Al and robotics to stand out in the U.A.E.'s competitive private healthcare sector. With plans for a care network in place, education could be the next game changer.

5 Natural Wellness Destinations In MENA

Medical tourism in the Middle East and Africa is expected to be worth $1.35 billion by 2026 compared to $900 million in 2021, according to Market Data Forecast. Here are five of the most popular places for natural medical tourism in the region.

THE MIDDLE EAST'S TOP 50 TRAVEL & TOURISM LEADERS

The travel and tourism industry experienced a revival in 2021, following one of the worst years the sector has ever seen.

Thirsty For Expansion

Ali Al Ebrahim cornered the Middle East’s devotion to coffee when he launched COFE App in Kuwait four years ago. Now, with $13.2 million in total funding and a new acquisition fueling expansion, the founder and CEO has got his sights on a global goal.

Going All In

Careem alumni Wahaj Ahmed, Talha Ansari, and Muhammad Nowkhaiz, cofounders of Retailo, used the pandemic incentive to quit their jobs and launch their own tech-based startup. With $45 million in funding raised in just 18 months, they’re looking to buy-now-pay-later for their next growth spurt.

REINVENTING A PALACE

Founder and Chairman of the Emerald Palace Group, Nver Mkhitaryan, went all in building the $700 million Emerald Palace Kempinski in Dubai, only to see COVID-19 interrupt operations. After some deft maneuvring, it’s back in business as the Middle East’s first Raffles resort.

Sheraton Maldives Full Moon

Pamper your senses and rejuvenate your mind and body in the Maldives, a haven of sunny beaches, tranquility, and meditation.

KICKING OFF

Fresh from signing a new deal with Boeing worth more than $27 billion, Akbar Al Baker, Group CEO of Qatar Airways, is now working on plans to transport over a million international football fans to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. As passenger numbers pick up, he’s feeling optimistic.

FREIGHT EXPECTATIONS

FLEXPORT CEO RYAN PETERSEN BECAME THE SELF-APPOINTED FACE OF SUPPLY-CHAIN SOLUTIONS IN 2021 BY THINKING OUTSIDE THE CONTAINER. NOW HIS $8 BILLION STARTUP NEEDS TO PROVE IT’S MORE THAN JUST SILICON VALLEY HYPE.

Forbes Middle East's Building The Future Summit 2022

The real estate and construction sector in the Middle East was going through a transformation phase before the outbreak of the pandemic two years ago. However, the pandemic presented an opportunity for the sector to accelerate digitalization for healthier and safer buildings.

BREAKING GROUND

Basmah Al-Mayman, Regional Director for the Middle East at UNWTO, is representing the region on a global stage for the worldwide tourism agency. As the sector recovers from the worst global crisis it has faced in recent history, she’s spearheading change from its first-ever office in Riyadh.

The World's 5 Most Powerful Women

As Angela Merkel retired from public office in 2021, Forbes’ 18th edition of its World’s 100 Most Powerful Women list had a new number one in 2021 for the first time in 11 years. The list represents 30 different nationalities, but in the top five France’s Christine Lagarde is the only one not from the U.S.

The Westin Maldives

If you’re looking for a healing retreat where you can take a breather outside of your everyday routine, the Maldives offer a peaceful home away from home.

TRAILBLAZING JUSTICE TECH

Linda Fitz-Alan, Registrar and Chief Executive at ADGM Courts, helped build the financial center’s judicial system on a digital foundation long before the pandemic made it vital. Now she’s looking at new ways to innovate in handling disputes.

The Changing Fortunes Of The World's 5 Richest Female Billionaires

There were no new faces among the top five richest women between April 2020 and January 2022, but most did change their ranking. All five increased their wealth over 21 months, raising their combined wealth by almost $100 billion, and all acquired their fortunes by inheritance or divorce.

THE MIDDLE EAST'S 50 MOST POWERFUL BUSINESSWOMEN

This year’s list of MENA’s most influential and successful businesswomen features representatives of 19 different nationalities and 17 sectors. The U.A.E. and Egypt scored the most entries with seven each, followed by Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Kuwait, and Oman, with four entries each.

OPENING MARKETS

Maryam Al Suwaidi, CEO of the U.A.E.’s Securities and Commodities Authority, has spent two decades with the financial regulator as it has expanded its remit. As it applies new laws that make it easier for startups to go public, she’s helping to future-proof the financial markets as they become more digital.