84 percent of women in UAE considering starting their own business, research shows

According to a recent Mastercard study, women in the UAE have a strong desire to start businesses, which is expected to further promote economic development. The study, released ahead of International Women's Day 2025, reveals the growing entrepreneurial spirit among women in the UAE, with 84% of women considering starting their own businesses.

As more women enter the business world, improving access to capital, strengthening business networks, and enhancing financial confidence will further drive their success and long-term development. Mastercard is committed to promoting financial inclusion and fostering an inclusive digital economy, which is why it released this report in the Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EEMEA) region, including the UAE. This initiative aims to support female entrepreneurs, provide important business insights, and drive effective solutions to eliminate systemic barriers.

Gina Petersen-Skyrme, Country Manager for UAE and Oman at Mastercard, said: "This study highlights the extraordinary entrepreneurial spirit of women in the Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa region, especially among the younger generation. While some progress has been made, challenges remain, which further emphasizes the need to strengthen support. At Mastercard, we are committed to fostering an inclusive digital economy and providing small businesses with the tools they need to grow and thrive."

In the UAE, the ratio of male and female entrepreneurs is almost equal (47% male, 49% female), reflecting the country's rapidly developing business environment. In addition, a similar proportion of men and women in the UAE consider themselves entrepreneurs (47% male, 49% female). This observation is consistent with statistics across the EEMEA region, which show that 54% of men and 51% of women consider themselves entrepreneurs.

The study further reveals that financial independence, flexibility, and social impact are the main motivations for women to pursue entrepreneurship. Millennial women (53%) are leading the way, while Gen Z women (44%) are also increasingly involved in entrepreneurship. The industries in which women in the UAE are most likely to start businesses include food and beverage (26%), online sales (22%), and cosmetics (19%), indicating opportunities in consumer-driven markets.

Women-led businesses in the UAE also show high optimism for growth, with 98% of female business owners expecting revenue to increase in the next five years, exceeding male business owners (85%). In addition, nearly one-third (31%) believe that entrepreneurship is "impossible for people like them," highlighting a significant confidence gap.

Despite their strong ambitions, women in the UAE also recognize that further support can promote their success. The study highlights that women are three times more likely than men to see a lack of confidence as a barrier to entrepreneurship (30% vs. 10%); 67% of women in the UAE say that insufficient funds are a major challenge to starting a business, exceeding men (59%); and nearly 40% of female founders say that uncertainty about the initial steps of a business plan or obtaining the necessary infrastructure is a challenge, highlighting the need to strengthen guidance and resources.

Encouragingly, female entrepreneurs in the UAE are increasingly using side hustles to achieve financial independence. Currently, 56% of women are engaged in side hustles, compared to 52% of men, with freelancing, tutoring, and content creation being the most popular sources of income.

Artificial intelligence and digital security are also influencing the operations of female entrepreneurs in the UAE, with 75% of female founders regularly using AI. While men (61%) are more likely than women (54%) to rely on AI for decision-making, female entrepreneurs have made greater progress in terms of efficiency, with 85% reporting significant cost or time savings, compared to 78% for men.

In the area of cybersecurity, 35% of female entrepreneurs have been attacked by fraudsters. While fewer women (48%) than men (72%) have reduced expansion due to concerns about fraud risks, ensuring secure digital transactions remains a top priority for business growth.

The findings confirm that women in the UAE have the drive and ambition to shape the future of business, but key obstacles remain. As International Women's Day 2025 approaches, Mastercard will continue to be committed to fostering an inclusive digital economy where female entrepreneurs are not only supported but also celebrated as important contributors to economic progress.