60 Women Redefining Leadership Across MENA: Inc. Arabia Unveils Women of Influence 2026
The 2026 edition expands its annual recognition from 30 to 60 leaders following a record 300-plus applications, reflecting the growing depth of female leadership across the region.
The story of women in MENA business is no longer one of emerging influence. It is one of leadership.
That shift sits at the heart of Inc. Arabia’s Women of Influence 2026, which this year recognises 60 women whose work is shaping companies, industries and institutions across the region.
The scale of the 2026 edition tells part of the story. More than 300 applications were submitted, three times the number received for the previous edition. In response to both the volume and calibre of this year’s nominations, Inc. Arabia doubled the number of women recognised, expanding the list from 30 in previous years to 60.
But the significance of the list extends beyond the number.
Across technology, finance, healthcare, entrepreneurship, media, retail and government, the women featured represent a generation of leaders operating at the intersection of business transformation and regional ambition.
A new generation of regional leadership
The women recognised this year come from very different industries and professional backgrounds, yet their stories share a common thread: they are building, leading and changing what comes next.
The list includes founders growing ambitious businesses, executives steering major organisations, innovators developing new technologies and leaders working across the public and private sectors.
Among the organisations represented are Mubadala, Aramco, Careem, talabat, Network International, Technology Innovation Institute, American Hospital Dubai, Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation, Snoonu, Seagate Technology, Diageo MENA and Yango Group, alongside numerous other organisations shaping the region's economy.
For Inc. Arabia, the challenge was not finding women worthy of recognition. It was narrowing the field.
“Women Of Influence is more than a recognition platform; it is a celebration of the women who are shaping the future of business across MENA,” said Anas Abbar, Group CEO of 7awi Media Group, the media house behind Inc. Arabia. “The overwhelming response to this year’s edition reflects the incredible depth of female talent in the region. These leaders represent innovation, resilience, and a commitment to creating lasting change.”
Three women on the cover
The timing of this year’s edition adds another layer of significance.
Released during Emirati Women’s Day, the special issue places a spotlight on three Emirati women whose careers reflect different dimensions of leadership in the UAE:
H.E. Sara Abdelaziz Al Nuaimi, CEO of Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa);
Hajar Bakhit Alketbi, Director of Government Communication at the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment; and
Ousha Al Ahbabi, Founder and CEO of OBM Academy.
Their inclusion on the cover reflects a wider story unfolding across the UAE, where women are increasingly occupying leadership positions across entrepreneurship, government, education and the innovation economy.
Beyond recognition
Recognition lists can offer a moment in time. What makes Women of Influence 2026 more compelling is the trajectory behind the names.
These are women operating in a region undergoing profound economic and social transformation—where technology is reshaping industries, entrepreneurship is becoming an increasingly important engine of growth, and governments are investing heavily in diversification and innovation.
Their influence therefore extends beyond titles and organisations. It can be seen in the companies they build, the teams they lead, the industries they disrupt and the opportunities they create for those coming behind them.
This year’s expanded list is ultimately a reflection of that changing landscape.
Sixty women. Sixty different journeys. One broader story about how leadership in MENA is evolving.
The Inc. Arabia Women of Influence 2026 special edition features the full cohort and their stories, offering a closer look at the women helping define the region’s next chapter.
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