Women's Entrepreneurship in the MENA Region: Strengths, Opportunities and Policy Recommendations

What drives women to start businesses across the MENA region? What barriers still exist, and how are ecosystems adapting to support women entrepreneurs? In this recorded webinar, GEM researchers from Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Oman shared the latest findings and insights from their research. Together, we explored promising initiatives, persistent challenges, and recommendations for building a more inclusive entrepreneurial landscape across the region. Panellists: Nehal ElNaggar, Team co-leader GEM Bahrain Christelle Comair, Team co-leader GEM Bahrain Fatima Boutaleb, Team co-leader GEM Morocco Abdullah Mohammed Al Shukaili, Team leader GEM Oman Muhammad Azam Roomi, Team leader GEM Saudi Arabia The webinar was moderated by GEM Executive Director Aileen Ionescu-Somers.