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TOP 20 ARAB WOMEN IN GOVERNMENT
Our first list of 20 Arab Women in Government recognizes the most impactful women in leading roles across government institutions, excluding ministerial and parliamentary positions.
SCENT OF SUCCESS
Mona Kattan, CEO and Founder of KAYALI, is redefining perfume as a form of self-love. Following a world tour of her signature collection, the beauty mogul is now launching scents that venture outside of her comfort zone, continuing to innovate while tapping into the Middle East's lucrative love of fragrance.
GUIDING THE NARRATIVE
Mona AI Marri, Vice Chairperson and Managing Director of the Dubai Media Council, Director-General of the Government of Dubai Media Office, and President of the Dubai Press Club, has been pivotal in shaping the emirate's media landscape. Now she's bringing Al, filming, and gaming into the spotlight.
MENA's Biggest M&A Deals
MENA continued to solidify its role as a global financial powerhouse in 2024, with major mergers and acquisitions (M&As) shaping industries from chemicals to renewables and retail. Here's a closer look at five of the largest deals of 2024.
World's Richest Women 2025
From pioneering philanthropy to managing family empires, the world's top wealthiest women are reshaping industries, preserving legacies, and redefining influence. Net worths are as of January 16, 2025, as per Forbes.
FUTURE PROOFING
Empowering women in business and nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs means offering community support where it's needed. Rym AI Falasy, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, is championing initiatives in the U.A.E. to foster the well-being and advancement of mothers and children across different fields.
10 MENA Women Making Their Mark in Marketing
These 10 CMOs head the marketing function of some of the largest companies across the region, leading successful campaigns and initiatives, and helping boost business.
100 MOST POWERFUL BUSINESSWOMEN 2025
Women in MENA are leading some of the largest local and global companies and leaving an immense impact across industries, from banking powerhouses to technology visionaries. Once again, Hana AI Rostamani, Group CEO of the First Abu Dhabi Bank- the U.A.E.'s largest bank-leads the list for the third consecutive year. She was also recognized for the fourth time on Forbes' list of the World's Most Powerful Women 2024, ranking 60 globally.
10 Powerful Businesswomen Leading Family-Owned Businesses
Our list of the 10 powerful businesswomen leading some of the largest family-owned companies and groups in the region features women who have inherited family legacies and possess exceptional expertise. They're managing vast conglomerates across diverse sectors of the economy, including industry, technology, and education. The list includes three entries based in the U.A.E., two from Oman, and one from each of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Morocco, Bahrain, and Lebanon.
The World's Most Powerful Women 2024
The 100 leaders on Forbes's 2024 list of the World's Most Powerful Women oversee a total of $33 trillion in GDP and influence the lives of over a billion people. Here's a look at the top ten who are breaking down barriers in politics, philanthropy, and business.
The World's Highest-Paid Female Athletes 2024
Forbes's list of The World's Highest-Paid Female Athletes 2024 revealed that for the first time, 11 women surpassed $10 million in earnings, with tennis superstar Coco Gauff trailing only Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams on the all-time list.
Arab Women Who Made History In 2024
Progress continues, with many remarkable Arab women shattering barriers in their fields in 2024. Here are six who achieved historic firsts last year.
CONSCIOUS INVESTING
VentureSouq's cofounders and general partners, Suneel Gokhale, Sonia Gokhale, Tammer Qaddumi, and Sonia Weymuller, are actively reshaping the investment landscape. With $250 million in assets under management, the thematic fund manager is forging a distinct path, with a focus on fintech and climate tech.
VENTURING BEYOND CAPITAL
In just seven years, Shane Shin and Mahmoud Adi, Founding Partners of Shoroog Partners, have turned their startup into one of the Middle East’s biggest startup investors, with 500 million in assets under management. With ambitions far beyond venture capital, they’re now expanding further into credit markets and looking at where they can be pioneers.
ROCK STAR
WHAT IF THE REVOLUTIONARY TECHNIQUES DEVELOPED TO FRACK ROCKS FOR OIL COULD BE MODIFIED TO UNLOCK LIMITLESS CLEAN ENERGY FROM THE HEAT OF THE EARTH’S CRUST?
Breaking New Territory
Moroccan-Canadian singer and 30 Under 30 alumna Faouzia is having her biggest year yet and enjoying newfound fame in China. As her stardom rises, she’s now exploring new projects and possibilities.
5 Biggest MENA IPOs of 2024
This year has been pivotal for MENA, marked by a series of high-profile IPOs that drew interest from local and international investors. Here’s a look at the five biggest IPOs that defined 2024.
TOP VENTURE CAPITALISTS
MENA has emerged as a vibrant hub for innovation and entrepreneurship, fostering a dynamic landscape for startups.
Top Funding Rounds in MENA 2024
This year has seen some of MENA’s largest-ever funding rounds. Here’s a look at five standout deals. Only startups that were founded less than 10 years ago and had disclosed their funding rounds as of November 27, 2024, were considered.
Key Insights From MENA's Funding Landscape
MENA saw a mixed performance in the first nine months of 2024.
A Look Ahead: Travel Trends Shaping 2025
What will drive wanderlust in 2025? Here’s a look at the key travel trends set to dominate the year.
Codebreakers
Backed by 200 million in funding, 28-year-old SCOTT WU and his team of competitive coders at Cognition are building an Al tool that can program entirely on its own, potentially disintegrating the whole industry. Is its 2 billion valuation the result of a true breakthrough, or just more Al hype?
CLOSING THE GAP
Amal Dokhan, Managing Partner at 500 Global MENA, has spent over a decade shaping the region's vibrant startup ecosystem. Now, she's driving efforts to bridge funding gaps, scale startups, and solidify MENA's position as a global hub for innovation and entrepreneurship.
Top 3 Billionaire Gainers & Losers 2024
In 2024, various factors influenced the net worth of billionaires, including the Al boom, the Federal Reserve’s interest rate cuts, and Donald Trump’s victory in the U.S. presidential elections. Here are the top three gainers and losers among billionaires this year, since March 8. Net worths as of November 21, before the U.S. market opened.
Reshaping Saudi Healthcare
Paul Hudson, CEO of French pharma giant Sanofi, has been overseeing the company as it plays an increasing role in Saudi Arabia’s biopharmaceutical market and vaccine production. Now he’s looking to broaden its ambitions even further.
World's Billionaire Venture Capitalists 2024
Seven global billionaires featured on Forbes' 2024 Midas List. Here's a glimpse at the moguls. All but one are American citizens. Net worths are as of November 22, 2024.
Celebrating Emirati Businesswomen and Entrepreneurs on Emirati Women's Day
As part of the U.A.E.’s annual Emirati Women’s Day celebrations, the Abu Dhabi Business Women Council and the Abu Dhabi Chamber hosted an event on August 28, 2024, under the theme “We Collaborate for Tomorrow,” celebrating the role and achievements of Emirati women.
THE MIDDLE EAST'S TOP 100 HEALTHCARE LEADERS 2024
MENA’s healthcare landscape is evolving towards integration, marked by the rise of fully comprehensive ecosystems. Industry giants are setting future trends, driven by systems that thrive on data abundance, accessibility, and intersectoral collaboration.
SCOUTING FOR OPPORTUNITIES
Ayman Cheikh-Lahlou, Chairman and CEO of the Morocco-based Cooper Pharma, took the helm of the family-owned pharmaceutical company in 2005 and has seen business boom over nearly 20 years. Now, he’s exploring expansion opportunities in new markets.
TURNING THE TIDE
Irina Zaporozhets, President and General Manager for Eli Lilly Suisse S.A. in the META region is driving expansion, focusing on innovation and patient-centric care. As she navigates regional challenges, her commitment to expanding access to medicine remains at the forefront.