In The Middle East

FemaleEntrepreneurship

Female entrepreneurs are founding companies at an ever increasing rate across the world and the MENA region is no exception.

A PORTRAIT OF FEMALEENTREPRENEURS IN MENA

Female entrepreneurs are on par with their counterpartin Western Europe and North America.

REVENUE

Jordan6%

USD100,000

UAE33%

USA13%=of female run enterprises generate revenues in excess of

THIS COMPARES TO

THERE ARE A NUMBEROF FEMALE ‘SOLE OWNERS’IN THE MENA REGION

60%

Bahrain

40%

Lebanon

OWNERSHIP

6 Jordan

FEMALE OWNEDFIRMS CREATE BETWEEN

19 Tunisia

JOB CREATION

5.9 UAE Average

Female entrepreneurs in the regionhave extensive experience ranging from

10.6 Lebanon Average

EXPERIENCE

WOMEN ARE OPTIMISTIC ANDPOISED FOR GROWTH

Female entrepreneurs are confident in the region’s economicpotential with expansion a universal future goal.

The UAE has some of the region’s most ambitious women with

8 OUT OF 10

planning to expand their operations.

60% OF FEMALEENTREPRENEURSexpect growth in their national economyto support their growth

INTERNATIONAL TRADE MATTERSTO FEMALE ENTREPRENEURSThe MENA region’s female entrepreneurs are keen

to participate in global trade.

OF FEMALE33%are actively importing ANDexporting products.

ENTREPRENEURSOVER

importing internationallymanufactured goods exclusively

20%are exporting local goods

6%

KEY CHALLENGES FORFEMALE ENTREPRENEURS

There are several obstacles which female entrepreneursfeel are impacting their potential to grow.

Learning FinancialManagement Skills

Finding and KeepingGood Employees

Access to Capital

High Cost ofPublic Services

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WHAT CAN BE IMPROVED?

In face of these challenges the community has voiced solutionsto help improve the state of female entrepreneurship.

POLICY MAKERSAddress the issue of cost and time taken to register a business.

Consider policies that would encourage greater access to capital for all SMEs.

WOMEN BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONSO�er financial management training for members.

Provide information and training on new technologies for business development.

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONSReach potential women clients through closer networking with businesswomen’s associations.

FEMALE VOICES OFTHE MENA REGION

We spoke with some of the region’s leading female entrepreneursto learn about their businesses and experiences.

Founded2012

Founder & CEOLoulou Khazen Baz

Advice for Future Female Entrepreneurs:

Nabbesh helps companies find and hire freelance talent and o�er project management services for large projects.

Entrepreneurship is a marathon, it is long, hard, requires a lot preparation and discipline. Perseverance is key if you want to make it to the finish line.

Founded2014

Co-Founder & CMODunia Othman

mrUsta is an online marketplace that helps residents find quality service providers such as painters, plumbers, mechanics, cake makers, and more.

Advice for Future Female Entrepreneurs:

Don’t let anyone make you feel that being a female is a disadvantage in the business world. An entrepreneur is as good as their skills and abilities; gender has nothing to do with it.

Founded2012

Co-Founder & CEONoha Al Yousef

Ithraa Consulting Group (ICG) o�ers development services such as creating initiatives, executing campaigns, and marketing support for public and private sectors in all that is relates to youth.

Advice for Future Female Entrepreneurs:

If you dream big and work hard, you will find your way to success. Always keep in mind that when there is a will there is a way.

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