Emirati Women Entrepreneurs Spotlighted at Dubai Forum 2026

The Emirati Women’s Forum 2026, held on 27 August at Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai, spotlighted the achievements of Emirati women entrepreneurs and their growing contribution to sustainable economic development and national competitiveness. Organised by the Dubai Women Establishment as part of Emirati Women’s Day celebrations, the second edition was held under the theme, “We Emerge Stronger and Better.”

Key Highlights:

• Dubai Women Establishment brought Emirati women entrepreneurs together to showcase their businesses
• Brand Dubai connected ‘Proudly from Dubai’ members with leaders, investors and potential partners
• More than 2,000 participants explored entrepreneurship, innovation, sustainability and women’s economic participation

The forum brought together female entrepreneurs, ministers, senior government officials and private-sector leaders to celebrate the achievements of Emirati women while creating opportunities for collaboration, business growth and knowledge exchange. More than 2,000 participants attended the event, which featured seven keynote and panel sessions and six specialised workshops covering entrepreneurship, sustainability, innovation, finance, media, negotiation, culture and the arts.

A key focus of the forum was the participation of women entrepreneurs from the ‘Proudly from Dubai’ network, an initiative supported by Brand Dubai, the creative arm of the Government of Dubai Media Office. Members presented their businesses, products and projects to senior executives, decision-makers and representatives from the public and private sectors, helping raise the visibility of Emirati businesses and explore opportunities for partnerships and expansion.

The initiative supports local entrepreneurs by promoting their success stories and helping them connect with wider audiences and markets. The participation of its members at the forum also provided a platform for entrepreneurs to engage directly with leaders and members of the business community.

Naeema Ahli, CEO of the Dubai Women Establishment, highlighted the organisation’s commitment to strengthening women’s economic participation and creating an enabling environment for Emirati women to transform their ideas and ambitions into sustainable businesses. She also praised the collaboration with Brand Dubai for providing ‘Proudly from Dubai’ members with opportunities to showcase their ventures and establish new strategic connections.

Shaima Al Suwaidi, Director of Brand Dubai, praised the achievements of Emirati women entrepreneurs and their growing presence in the creative sector. She noted that the ‘Proudly from Dubai’ initiative helps entrepreneurs showcase their success stories, strengthen their visibility and reach broader audiences and markets.

Khawla Al Hashmi, Project Manager of the ‘Proudly from Dubai’ Initiative, said the participation of Emirati women entrepreneurs reflected ongoing efforts to empower local businesses, promote their products and ideas, and connect them with the wider business community. She also highlighted Brand Dubai’s efforts to build lasting relationships with entrepreneurs and support their ambitions for greater reach.

Among the participating entrepreneurs were Mariam Saleh, founder of XO Coffee Boutique, a local specialty coffee brand; Hind Al Mulla, founder of Home Bakery, which began as a home-based venture in Dubai in 2011 and developed into a successful local brand; and Hind Majjan, founder of Sadeem Café, a specialty coffee brand with a distinctive concept in Dubai.

The forum highlighted the expanding role of Emirati women in entrepreneurship, with women-led businesses increasingly contributing to Dubai’s economic and creative landscape. It also reinforced the importance of platforms that provide entrepreneurs with visibility, networks and access to potential partnerships as they seek to expand their businesses and compete in wider markets.