Emirati Women Secure 5,930 Business Permits
Emirati businesswomen have substantially altered Abu Dhabi’s business landscape, with 2,875 entrepreneurs joining the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ADCCI) in the first half of 2025. Their growing influence marks a significant milestone as they continue to make their mark in different economic sectors.
The business ventures show clear patterns in their distribution. Mobdea licenses, which cater to creative and home-based businesses, lead the pack with 1,352 licenses making up 47% of total new memberships[-3]. UAE’s successful Emirati entrepreneurs have also embraced e-commerce opportunities through Tajer Abu Dhabi licenses, which account for 891 registrations or 30% of new memberships during this period[-3]. These numbers demonstrate how Emirati women entrepreneurs strategically position themselves in both traditional and digital marketplaces to support their nation’s economic diversification goals.
Emirati Women Secure 5,930 Business Permits in H1 2025
ADRA has issued 5,930 new economic licenses to Emirati women entrepreneurs between July 2024 and June 2025. This significant growth has elevated the total number of business permits held by Emirati businesswomen to 21,115 by June 2025. These numbers showcase how government initiatives successfully boost female participation in economic development.
Mobdea licenses led the way with 2,768 licenses, representing 46.6% of all new permits. Women entrepreneurs can now operate in more than 50 economic activities without physical office space through these licenses. This flexibility makes business ownership more available to aspiring businesswomen.
Tajer Abu Dhabi permits made up 30% of the total with 1,830 licenses. These permits allow entrepreneurs to run their businesses through websites and social media platforms. The authorities also issued 788 standard economic licenses, 246 freelance licenses, 39 agricultural licenses, and 12 industrial licenses during this timeframe.
Specialized professionals find great value in freelance licenses, which let them work in over 100 economic activities at minimal cost. The agricultural and industrial permits demonstrate Emirati women’s growing influence in traditionally male-dominated priority sectors.
The UAE government’s diverse licensing options strategically remove entry barriers for female Emirati entrepreneurs who want to establish themselves in economic sectors of all types.
Emirati Women Expand Across Diverse Economic Sectors
Female Emirati entrepreneurs have built a strong presence across the UAE economy that goes well beyond traditional sectors. They run thriving businesses in commerce, services, creative industries, agriculture, and manufacturing. Their diverse ventures have added richness to Abu Dhabi’s business landscape and made the economy more resilient.
These entrepreneurs’ economic contribution speaks volumes – Emirati women have invested over Dhs60 billion in national and private economies. This massive investment proves their business expertise and ability to stimulate growth across multiple sectors.
The services sector attracts most women entrepreneurs in the UAE since it needs less startup capital and technical expertise. In spite of that, many are pioneering their way into traditionally male-dominated industries. To name just one example, women own more than 2,300 farms in Abu Dhabi. Several of these women participate in groundbreaking agricultural initiatives like the UAE’s first women-only Farmer Field School.
The Mubdia’h Program has played a key role in supporting Emirati entrepreneurs who run home-based businesses. This Abu Dhabi Businesswomen Council initiative allows activities from calligraphy to interior design. It helps women turn their skills into successful businesses.
We have a long way to go, but we can build on this progress. Women still face hurdles like cultural norms, lack of support, and the challenge of managing family and work responsibilities. But successful Emirati entrepreneurs continue to overcome these obstacles through their resilience and innovative approaches.
Abu Dhabi Businesswomen Council Drives Entrepreneurial Growth
Women-led businesses in Abu Dhabi have seen remarkable growth thanks to the Abu Dhabi Businesswomen Council (ADBWC). The council has operated under Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak’s honorary chairmanship since 2001. It serves as a driving force to promote women’s entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation throughout the emirate.
The Mubdi’ah Program stands as ADBWC’s flagship initiative, launched in 2005 through Executive Council Decision No. 6/39/2005. This program helps Emirati women entrepreneurs run specific businesses from their homes. The benefits include fee waivers from the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and free ADBWC membership.
The council builds mutually beneficial alliances to boost support for female Emirati entrepreneurs. ADBWC signed an MoU with Flat6Labs to give women access to financing programs, coaching, and expert guidance. The council has also partnered with du to provide ADBWC members specialized telecommunications services for SMEs.
ADBWC chairwoman Asma Al Fahim emphasized: “These results reflect Abu Dhabi’s sustained efforts to enhance its economic competitiveness through a clear vision to empower women and increase their participation in vital sectors”.
The council creates platforms for successful Emirati entrepreneurs to showcase their innovations and connect globally. The 2025 Al Hosn Festival’s Souq Al Teeb featured 18 female-led enterprises and hosted 24 skill-building workshops focused on traditional crafts preservation.
Emirati women have reshaped the UAE’s business scene with their exceptional achievements. Female entrepreneurs received 5,930 new business permits in the first half of 2025. Their total number of permits now stands at an impressive 21,115. These numbers show how government programs successfully encourage women to participate in a variety of economic sectors.
Many women entrepreneurs choose Mobdea licenses because they can run their businesses without physical office space and work across multiple sectors. Tajer Abu Dhabi licenses help businesswomen create digital enterprises through websites and social media platforms. Women are also breaking new ground in male-dominated sectors by obtaining more agricultural and industrial licenses.
These female-led businesses make a powerful economic statement. Emirati women have invested more than Dhs60 billion in national and private economies. This investment accelerates economic diversification. These entrepreneurs show incredible resilience and bring state-of-the-art solutions despite cultural norms and family responsibilities.
The Abu Dhabi Businesswomen Council’s support since 2001 has been crucial to this entrepreneurial boom. Their Mubdi’ah Program helps women turn their skills into successful home-based businesses. Strategic collaborations with Flat6Labs and du create more opportunities for women to access financing, coaching, and specialized business services.
Abu Dhabi continues to strengthen its position as a global business hub. Women entrepreneurs are the life-blood of its economic competitiveness. The success of Emirati women in business proves that removing barriers and creating support systems allows women to become powerful catalysts for economic growth and innovation.
