Forbes Middle East has unveiled its signature annual list of the region’s most powerful businesswomen for 2024, ranking the most successful, influential, and impactful women in business, championing the way to a brighter, fairer future. The list was constructed based on the size of the business, the individual’s impact, achievements, and performance over the last year, and the scope of CSR and other initiatives led by the person. Leaders of family businesses were excluded this year.
Hana Al Rostamani, Group CEO of the First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), leads the list for the second consecutive year. She was also recognized on Forbes’ list of the World’s Most Powerful Women 2023, ranked at 63 overall and 14th in the finance category globally. Two Kuwaiti powerhouses – NBK Group’s Shaikha Khaled Al Bahar and KNPC’s Wadha Ahmad Al-Khateeb – round up the top three.
The 2024 list features 100 entries, with 104 women from 27 sectors and 28 nationalities. Egyptians dominate with 17 women, followed by 14 Emiratis, and Saudis and Lebanese with nine women each. Leaders in banking and financial services make up over a quarter of the ranking with 26 entries, followed by healthcare with 13, and investments and technology with six entries each. A wave of 35 newcomers have joined this year’s list from 15 different sectors.
Three industry titans broke into the top 10 for the first time: Dana Nasser Al Sabah, Group CEO of Kuwait Projects Company (Holding) – KIPCO; Shazia Syed, Unilever’s General Manager – North Africa, Levant, and Iraq & Arabia Senior Customer Development Lead; Reem Asaad, Cisco’s Vice President – Middle East, Africa, Türkiye, Romania & The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). Of the top 10 ranked women, 50% work within the banking and financial services industry, and two Pakistani trailblazers represent the region’s non-Arab, diverse senior leadership.
Top 10 Most Powerful Businesswomen In The Middle East 2024
1. Hana Al Rostamani
Nationality: Emirati
Group CEO, First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB)
2. Shaikha Khaled Al Bahar
Nationality: Kuwaiti
Deputy Group CEO, National Bank of Kuwait Group (NBK Group)
3. Wadha Ahmed Al-Khateeb
Nationality: Kuwaiti
CEO, Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC)
4. Shaista Asif
Nationality: Pakistani
Cofounder and Group CEO, PureHealth Holding
5. Dana Nasser Al Sabah
NEWCOMER TO TOP 10
Nationality: Kuwaiti
Group CEO, Kuwait Projects Company (Holding) – KIPCO
6. Randa Sadik
Nationality: Jordanian
CEO, Arab Bank
7. Sarah Al-Suhaimi
Nationality: Saudi
Chairperson, Saudi Tadawul Group
8. Maryam Al Suwaidi
Nationality: Emirati
CEO, Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA)
9. Shazia Syed
NEWCOMER TO TOP 10
Nationality: Pakistani
General Manager – North Africa, Levant, and Iraq & Arabia Senior Customer Development Lead, Unilever
10. Reem Asaad
NEWCOMER TO TOP 10
Nationality: Egyptian-American
Vice President – Middle East, Africa, Türkiye, Romania & The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Cisco
Click here to view the full list of the Middle East’s 100 Most Powerful Businesswomen 2024.