Prime Highlights-
- Inc. Arabia expands its Women Of Influence list to 60 leaders for 2026, up from 30 honorees in previous editions.
- The list draws a record 300 plus applications this year, three times the number submitted for the last edition.
Key Facts-
- Three Emirati women feature on the cover to mark Emirati Women’s Day in August.
- Honorees represent leading organizations including Mubadala, Careem, talabat, Aramco, Seagate Technology, and Diageo MENA across the MENA region.
Background-
Inc. Arabia has rolled out its Women Of Influence 2026 list, putting the spotlight on 60 female leaders behind innovation, entrepreneurship, and business change across the Middle East and North Africa.
The Middle East edition of the global Inc. brand pulled in more than 300 applications this year, three times what it received for the last edition, a sign of rising interest in the annual showcase. The initiative honors women making their mark across entrepreneurship, technology, finance, healthcare, media, retail, and government.
After a thorough review, Inc. Arabia grew its honoree list from 30 in past editions to 60 this time, opening room for more stories to reach the spotlight. The 2026 edition lands during Emirati Women’s Day in August, a stretch set aside to mark women’s achievements in the UAE.
As part of the tribute, three Emirati women appear on the cover: HE Sara Abdelaziz Al Nuaimi, Chief Executive Officer of Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center, Hajar Bakhit Alketbi, Director of Government Communication at the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, and Ousha Al Ahbabi, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of OBM Academy.
Anas Abbar, Group Chief Executive Officer of 7awi Media Group, the media house running Inc. Arabia, said the platform marks a celebration of women shaping the region’s business future, calling this year’s response proof of the depth of female talent across MENA.
Honorees span founders, executives, and industry leaders from groups including the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation, Technology Innovation Institute, Mubadala, Network International, Snoonu, Careem, talabat, American Hospital Dubai, Aramco, Seagate Technology, Diageo MENA, and Yango Group.
Through the initiative, Inc. Arabia keeps building its effort to spotlight standout leaders and give a platform to the stories driving business forward across the MENA region.
