Saudi Arabia has achieved a global milestone in artificial intelligence, ranking first in women’s empowerment in AI. The Kingdom also ranked highly in AI job growth, talent attraction, and leading AI models. These accomplishments reflect Saudi Arabia’s strategic efforts to lead in AI as part of Vision 2030.
Standard Chartered Bahrain, in collaboration with Bahrain FinTech Bay, launched the sixth cohort of its “SC Women in Tech” incubation programme, supporting female entrepreneurs. With mentorship and funding, the programme aims to foster women-led businesses. Additionally, QuickDine announced a strategic partnership with PIE to enhance operational efficiency.
Kuwait Times is supporting the second edition of CODED’s Academy X program, empowering young women with skills in AI, smart application development, and entrepreneurship. The program expands its capacity to 500 students this year. Industry players like Zain Kuwait and other strategic partners are contributing to its success.
Lobna Helal has been appointed as the new chair of Telecom Egypt, becoming the first woman to lead its board. With over 30 years of banking experience, Helal replaces Dr. Magued Osman, who stepped down after nine years. Mohamed Nasr has also been reappointed as managing director and CEO.
Telenor Pakistan has launched two initiatives—‘Nayi Raah,’ a flexible part-time work model, and an Executive MBA scholarship program in partnership with LUMS. These initiatives are designed to empower female employees, supporting their work-life balance and professional growth, and align with the International Women’s Day 2025 theme, ‘Accelerate Action.’
Telecom Egypt has appointed Lobna Helal as its first female Chair of the Board, following Dr. Magued Osman’s resignation after a nine-year tenure. Helal brings over 30 years of experience in the banking sector. Mohamed Nasr has been reappointed as CEO, ensuring continuity in leadership and Telecom Egypt’s strategic goals.
This article emphasizes the importance of integrating women into Morocco’s high-tech and industrial sectors to meet the country’s growth goals. Despite significant investments, gender bias and cultural norms still hinder women’s participation, with strategies such as policy reforms, mentorship, and inclusive recruitment necessary to drive inclusive economic growth.
Orange Jordan, in partnership with Capital Bank and int@j, has launched the fourth edition of the “Inspiring Change through Digital World” award to support and celebrate women entrepreneurs in the tech sector. The award aims to boost women’s participation in ICT and drive innovation in Jordan’s startup ecosystem.
Visa’s Women SMB Digitalization Index for Oman highlights the challenges and opportunities for women entrepreneurs. The findings show strong adoption of AI but gaps in product innovation and customer acquisition. Visa remains committed to supporting women with tools and mentorship to foster growth and digital transformation in Oman.
Women in Bangladesh are underrepresented in STEM fields, comprising only 21% of the workforce in these sectors. Despite making up 42% of the overall workforce, efforts are needed to empower women through education, mentorship, and policy reforms to bridge the gender gap and contribute to sustainable economic growth.
