Entrepreneur Middle East

Our July 2026 issue is headlined by Dr. Essa N. Al Essa (@DrEssaAlessa), co-founder and CEO of Asnan Tower (@AsnanTower), on building the world's largest single-site dental clinic and his journey from dentist to #healthcare entrepreneur. Also in this issue: @businessfrance CEO @l_margueritte on France-UAE ties; Vision Golfe 2026; our new Building Bridges ambassador series with H.E. Lucie Berger (@BergerLucie) EU Ambassador to the UAE (@euintheuae); @UEB3ventures’ Viktor Uzunov (@viktortrades), Reem Holding’s Dr. Reem Osman, @myrakez, and more. PLUS: Seven #UAE-based #smallbusiness founders on leading with resilience through regional uncertainty; and Clusterlab is building #voiceAI for the MENA region. All this and more can be found on @issuu: issuu.com/entmagazineme/…

In this special issue of Entrepreneur Middle East, we proudly present the 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔—spotlighting the individuals and institutions shaping the future of finance across the Middle East and North Africa. From banking and fintech to investment, insurance, capital markets, wealth management, and financial infrastructure, this special edition recognizes the leaders driving innovation, resilience, and economic growth across the region. Organized by country, this list reflects the diversity and strength of MENA’s financial ecosystem, bringing together the executives, entrepreneurs, and visionaries driving innovation, growth, and transformation across one of the world’s most dynamic economic regions. Check out the full list HERE: issuu.com/entmagazineme/…

AÏZA, a #Dubai-based beauty brand focused on bringing Arab beauty concepts to global markets, has become the first Middle Eastern brand named to BeautyMatter’s NEXT50 List, an annual selection of 50 emerging #beauty and #wellness companies. The brand joins the 2026 NEXT50 cohort, which is largely made up of US-based companies, as the only company selected from the Middle East. The list recognizes brands that are shaping the future of the global beauty industry. Founded by CEO Shubham Poddar, AÏZA was launched to showcase Arab beauty traditions through modern skincare and haircare products. The brand draws on regional ingredients and rituals, including dates, black seed, saffron, sidr masks, and fragrancing hair with bakhoor, while incorporating science-backed formulations developed with laboratories across Korea, Japan, and Italy. "Being the first Middle Eastern brand selected for the BeautyMatter NEXT50 is an important signal of what is changing. #ArabBeauty has been missing from the global beauty conversation for too long," Poddar said. "We believe it deserves to stand alongside Korean Beauty, Japanese Beauty and Ayurveda as one of the world's defining beauty movements, and we're building AÏZA to help take it there." Read more HERE: mena.entrepreneur.com/business-news/…

Entrepreneur Middle East is a media partner of GITEX AI Türkiye (@GitexTurkiye). 🇹🇷 Registration is now live. Taking place this September in Istanbul, the event will bring together thousands of technology professionals, more than 500 exhibitors, over 150 speakers, and delegates from 70+ countries for one of the region's leading technology gatherings. Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with global and regional innovators, including HPE & NVIDIA, Google Cloud, SAP, Trendyol, Hepsiburada, Forcepoint, TrendAI, ITU Teknokent, and many more. Explore Eurasia's fast-growing technology ecosystem across AI, cybersecurity, digital finance, quantum technologies, startups, data centers, e-commerce, and more. Hosted by Invest in Türkiye (@InvestTurkey) and supported by the Ministry of Industry and Technology, GITEX AI Türkiye will position Istanbul at the center of global innovation this September. #GITEXAITürkiye #GITEX #Türkiye #Istanbul #ArtificialIntelligence #Cybersecurity #DigitalFinance #Startups #Innovation

Gulf Cooperation Council (#GCC) countries ranked among the world’s top performers across several competitiveness indicators in the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2026, according to data released by the GCC Statistical Center (@GCCStat). According to GCC-Stat, the results reflect the economic and institutional performance of GCC countries across multiple areas of development. The #UAE led GCC countries, ranking first globally in both the International Trade indicator and the Economic Performance factor, according to the report. It also ranked fifth among the 70 economies evaluated, with an overall score of 94.1%. Read more HERE: mena.entrepreneur.com/business-news/…

The rapid rise of #ecommerce has transformed the way consumers and businesses interact, making #digitalpayments faster, smarter, and more secure than ever before. But as expectations around convenience continue to grow, so do the demands for stronger security, seamless checkout experiences, and greater trust. In the first episode of Entrepreneur Middle East's special video series in partnership with global digital payments leader @Visa, Vibhor Mundhada, CEO of NEOPAY (@neopayme), speaks with our Senior Features Editor Aalia Mehreen Ahmed about how payment providers are helping merchants navigate this evolving landscape. From Visa Click to Pay and network tokenization to #AI-powered fraud prevention, compliance, and the growing role of payments as a #business enabler, the conversation explores what it takes to build future-ready payment experiences that benefit both businesses and #consumers. As a global payments and financial technology company offering payment solutions, APIs, payment processing, and value-added services, NeoPay enables businesses to accept secure digital payments across online, in-store, and mobile channels. 💬 "Today, security and speed—or frictionless transactions—are two sides of the same coin. Gone are the days when you can ensure a transaction is fast but compromise on #security, or vice versa," Mundhada says. 🎥 Watch the full episode now on our YouTube channel: youtube.com/watch?v=1wmRMA… #EntrepreneurMiddleEast #Visa #NeoPay #DigitalPayments #Fintech #Ecommerce #Innovation #DigitalCommerce #Payments #Business #MiddleEast

Check out the full list HERE: issuu.com/entmagazineme/…

Entrepreneur Middle East is a media partner of #AiEverythingAbuDhabi (@AiEverythingAD), the world's premier AI event. The 2026 edition will bring together more than 350 global AI enterprises and startups from over 100 countries, alongside leading Chief AI Officers (CAIOs), investors, speakers, and commercial AI developers shaping the future of artificial intelligence. Registration is now live. Whether you're looking to build, scale, invest in, or deploy AI solutions, this is the place to connect with the global AI ecosystem. 🗓️ October 6-7 2026 📍 ADNEC Centre, Abu Dhabi (@adnecad) 🎟️ Get your pass: [visit.aieverythingabudhabi.com/?utm_source=pa…) #AiEverything #AbuDhabi #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #GenAI #GITEXGLOBAL

The Gulf Cooperation Council (#GCC) is promoting five priority #industrial investment opportunities to the region’s private sector, as part of efforts to reduce reliance on imports and diversify the economy. The industries cover high-pressure seamless pipes for the oil and gas sector, sterile single-use surgical instruments, high-purity copper cathodes, silicon wafers used in semiconductors, and multi-parameter patient monitoring devices. The initiative was introduced during a workshop organized by the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (@OmanChamber), in cooperation with the GCC Secretariat General (@GCC) and the Federation of GCC Chambers (@FGCCChambers). Yousuf Ali Al Sunaidi, Director of the Industry and Mineral Resources Department at the GCC Secretariat General, said the private sector is a key partner in advancing economic development and industrial integration among GCC states. Read more HERE: mena.entrepreneur.com/business-news/… #IndustrialSector #InvestmentOpportunities

#UK-based gaming PC manufacturer @chillblast is establishing its regional base at @InnovationCityX, marking the company’s entry into the #GCC through local assembly of its AI and gaming systems. The company selected Innovation City, #RasAlKhaimah’s technology-focused free zone, as its regional base, citing its focus on #AI, gaming, robotics, healthtech, and emerging technologies, as well as access to specialized infrastructure and a growing technology ecosystem. Read more HERE: mena.entrepreneur.com/business-news/…

@DP_World, the #Dubai-based global ports and logistics operator, has signed a 50-year concession agreement with the #Fujairah Ports Authority to develop two new deep-water terminals on the #UAE’s east coast, expanding the country’s trade infrastructure beyond the Strait of Hormuz amid ongoing regional developments. The project includes the Al Rugaylat container and multipurpose terminal and the Dibba General Cargo terminal. Once operational, the development will increase DP World’s total container handling capacity in the UAE from 19.4 million to nearly 22 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), while also significantly expanding general cargo and roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) capacity. Both terminals will be able to accommodate ultra-large container vessels and will be linked to Jebel Ali Port through DP World’s inland logistics network, extending end-to-end supply chain connectivity across the UAE. Construction will be carried out in phases over 24 to 30 months. Read more HERE: mena.entrepreneur.com/business-news/…

The #UAE’s evolution as a global financial hub is shifting from attracting #capital flows to building the infrastructure that supports global investment activity, says Roberto Hoornweg, CEO of Corporate and Investment Bank, and CEO of the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Africa at Standard Chartered (@StanChartUAE). As global allocation models change, Hoornweg notes that #investment firms are increasingly considering not only where capital is deployed, but where it is structured, managed, and serviced. "Decisions about where to locate investment platforms, booking activities and fund structures are now being made with the same rigor once reserved for capital deployment, reflecting a recognition that these choices shape long-term efficiency, resilience and growth," he writes in his op-ed. Hoornweg highlighted that the UAE is already benefiting from this reassessment, with growing interest from asset managers, hedge funds, private equity firms, and digital banks seeking to establish or expand their presence in the country. He attributed this momentum to the UAE’s combination of connectivity, credibility and adaptability, supported by its strategic position between major capital pools and a regulatory environment that provides confidence for international institutions. "Realizing the full potential of these advantages requires more than continued capital inflows. It requires the infrastructure, institutions and capabilities that support global investment activity, and a deliberate effort to capture a greater share of the value those activities create," Hoornweg states. He identified two key areas that could further strengthen the UAE’s position: enabling capital to operate more seamlessly across jurisdictions, and expanding the range of fund structures available to international managers. "High-value employment, deeper local expertise, supporting industries and enduring economic activity are among the benefits that follow when more of that infrastructure is anchored locally," he explains. Read more HERE: mena.entrepreneur.com/finance/from-g…

As the conversation around #Emiratization continues to evolve, success is increasingly being measured not just by how many Emiratis are hired, but by how meaningfully they are integrated into an organization's long-term growth. Zakaria Doleh, co-founder of Dawlati (@DawlatiUAE) , a #UAE-based AI-powered platform connecting Emirati talent with private-sector employers, believes the next stage of Emiratization should focus on embedding national talent into business-critical functions rather than treating it as a compliance exercise. "The real value comes when national #talent is integrated into business-critical functions, not treated as a separate compliance category," he says. Doleh believes this also requires organizations to rethink how they plan, develop and retain talent. "Success looks like better talent planning: hiring earlier, matching candidates more accurately to roles, reducing last-minute recruitment pressure, and building a sustainable pipeline of Emirati professionals who can progress with the company over time," he explains. 📊 Doleh's insights are among those featured in our special story titled 'Beyond the Quota: The Next Chapter in the Emiratization Journey (and What It Means for UAE Business Leaders)'. 🔗 Read the full article HERE: mena.entrepreneur.com/business-news/… ✍️ Aalia Mehreen Ahmed

Sustainable #Emiratization goes beyond recruitment—it requires organizations to invest in learning, mentorship and clear career pathways that enable Emirati talent to thrive over the long term. One company embracing this approach is Al Ansari Financial Services (@AlAnsariFin), a Dubai-headquartered non-banking financial services provider that recently reached 1,000 #UAE national employees across its businesses. According to Group Chief HR Officer Georgette Yousef, education and personalized development have been central to achieving this milestone. "Our Learning Academy, established this year, is fully dedicated to the development of UAE National talent," Yousef says. "Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, the academy is designed to integrate #Emirati professionals into areas of genuine interest within the financial sector, offering tailored learning pathways and opportunities that align with their ambitions and strengths." Complementing the academy is the company's Mehnati (مهنتي) mentoring program, which pairs participants with experienced UAE National mentors to support their growth throughout their careers. According to Yousef, the impact extends well beyond individual development. "When our team members are engaged and see clear opportunities for growth, we notice significant improvements in retention rates, productivity, and sustainable performance," she explains. 📊 Yousef's insights are among those featured in our special story titled 'Beyond the Quota: The Next Chapter in the Emiratization Journey (and What It Means for UAE Business Leaders)'. 🔗 Read the full article HERE: mena.entrepreneur.com/business-news/… ✍️ Aalia Mehreen Ahmed 🍉

As #Emiratization targets continue to evolve, the real challenge for businesses is no longer meeting hiring quotas—it is ensuring Emirati talent has the opportunity to grow, thrive and build long-term careers. Mahesh Shahdadpuri, Group Chairman at UAE-based staffing and recruitment agency TASC Outsourcing, believes successful Emiratization should be measured not by recruitment numbers alone, but by retention and progression. "Any organization can hire to meet a deadline," he says. "The harder and more meaningful work is building an environment where an #Emirati employee looks up two years later and sees a future worth staying for." Through its Making Emiratization a Success guidebook, developed in partnership with the UAE's Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization (@MOHRE_UAE), TASC Outsourcing has also highlighted the importance of looking beyond workforce figures. "When we published the guidebook last year, 131,833 UAE Nationals were employed in the private sector," Shahdadpuri notes. "That number told us the policy was working. What the number didn't tell us was whether those people were thriving, growing, and staying." 📊 Shahdadpuri's insights are among those featured in our special story titled 'Beyond the Quota: The Next Chapter in the Emiratization Journey (and What It Means for UAE Business Leaders)'. 🔗 Read the full article HERE: mena.entrepreneur.com/business-news/… ✍️ Aalia Mehreen Ahmed 🍉

@FortyGuard, an Abu Dhabi-based environmental technology startup, has announced the launch of FortyGuard Hackathon’26, a free global virtual hackathon inviting developers, researchers, students, designers, and climate innovators from around the world to build artificial intelligence (#AI) solutions that tackle real-world #climate challenges using hyperlocal temperature intelligence. Running from August 3-17, 2026, the two-week event is open to individuals as well as teams of up to three members, with no prior climate expertise required. Participants will compete across four challenge tracks—AI Agents, Predictive Models, Dashboards, and Interactive Maps—developing solutions for resilient cities and infrastructure, future buildings and energy, industrial operations, and government and environmental applications. A total prize pool of US$6,000 will be awarded, including US$3,000 for first place, US$2,000 for second, and US$1,000 for third. In addition to cash prizes, participants will receive free access to FortyGuard’s Temperature API, trial credits, developer resources, technical support, mentorship from industry leaders, and certificates of completion. Read more HERE: mena.entrepreneur.com/business-news/…

The Sharjah Foundation to Support Pioneering Entrepreneurs (#RUWAD), an affiliate of the Sharjah Economic Development Department (@SharjahEconomic), disbursed AED1.634 million in project financing during the first half of 2026, according to its performance report. During the same period, RUWAD member projects secured AED3.338 million in government contracts, while projects operating under accreditation licenses recorded approximately AED336,000 in purchases from government entities. RUWAD also admitted 291 new entrepreneurial projects into its membership program and trained 409 entrepreneurs through its programs and workshops. Hamad Ali Abdulla Al Mahmoud, Chairman of SEDD, said RUWAD’s H1 2026 results reflect a broader shift from expanding the number of startups to improving the quality, competitiveness, and growth potential of entrepreneurial projects, in line with the UAE’s efforts to diversify the economy and expand access to financing and markets. Read more HERE: mena.entrepreneur.com/business-news/… #UAEBusiness #Sharjah #Entrepreneurship #Startups #SMEs

#Dubai is known for its ambitious initiatives. From the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan to the Dubai Quality of Life Strategy 2033, the emirate has long measured progress through economic output, infrastructure upgrades, and #architectural firsts. But according to Murad Saleh, co-founder and CEO of Amwaj Development, Dubai's latest initiative places the spotlight on something even more essential: its people. "We are looking at a city where over 200 different nationalities interact on a daily basis. What one person considers a perfectly normal way to share a public space, another might find completely jarring," Saleh writes in his op-ed. "To keep such a diverse society functioning smoothly, relying on passive tolerance is no longer enough." "Perhaps unsurprisingly, developers play a big role here," he stresses. While policies and guidebooks can establish expectations, Saleh believes the physical spaces people inhabit ultimately shape how they behave. #Developers, he argues, have a far greater role than simply delivering buildings, they are creating the environments where Dubai's vision of civility is experienced every day. "Through thoughtful design, developers can bridge the invisible cultural divides that naturally exist in a multicultural city," he says. "When a master plan prioritizes accessible, shared spaces, it offers a neutral ground where everyone instinctively follows the shared rules of engagement." That also means shifting away from the race for luxury amenities and placing greater emphasis on how a community feels on a human level through connected pedestrian networks, inclusive communal spaces, and neighborhoods that encourage organic interaction rather than isolation. "As real estate developers, we have a big responsibility in our hands – far bigger than building physical spaces," Saleh states. "A truly successful project is the one that sparks connections, improves lifestyles, and replicates that warm, neighborly environment that transports us back home," he adds. Read more HERE: mena.entrepreneur.com/business-news/…

More than 60 #startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (#SMEs) have been selected to receive financial and in-kind support through the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center’s (@sheraasharjah) Entrepreneurs Resilience Fund (ERF), after receiving over 330 applications from businesses across the #UAE. The fund will mobilize up to AED5 million through public- and private-sector partners, combining equity-free grants with tailored programming, fast-tracked funding decisions, and mentorship to help #businesses navigate periods of uncertainty while supporting long-term growth. "The ERF was established on a simple premise: viable businesses facing short-term pressures should not have to choose between preserving today's operations and investing in tomorrow's growth. Supporting these founders is about more than individual businesses," HE Sara Abdulaziz Al Nuaimi, CEO of Sheraa, said. "It is about strengthening the entrepreneurial base that contributes to Sharjah's economic diversification, innovation capacity, and long-term competitiveness." Read more HERE: mena.entrepreneur.com/business-news/…

Emiratization is about more than meeting hiring quotas—it is about creating the conditions for #Emirati talent to build meaningful, long-term careers. But achieving that requires organizations to embed the initiative into their broader business strategy, rather than viewing it as a compliance exercise. Khadija Al Hirey, Human Resources Director at #UAE-based integrated facilities management provider @EmrillServices, believes one of the biggest mistakes organizations can make is treating #Emiratization as solely an HR responsibility. "A common mistake is treating Emiratization as an HR compliance task rather than a business responsibility," she says. While hiring targets may help organizations meet regulatory requirements in the short term, Alhirey warns that lasting success requires a shift from a numbers mindset to a capability mindset. "Another risk is recruiting Emirati employees without a clearly defined role, development plan or career path," she explains. "At Emrill, our Emiratization strategy therefore focuses on ensuring roles are clearly defined, expectations are set and managers are equipped to coach and develop national talent." 📊 Alhirey's insights are among those featured in our special story titled 'Beyond the Quota: The Next Chapter in the Emiratization Journey (and What It Means for UAE Business Leaders)'. 🔗 Read the full article HERE: mena.entrepreneur.com/business-news/… ✍️ Aalia Mehreen Ahmed

According to Tayfun Topkoc, Senior Vice President – International at human capital management (HCM) SaaS provider @peoplestrong, achieving sustainable #Emiratization requires a shift from reactive hiring to long-term workforce planning. "As Emiratization mandates shift toward more specialized and higher-skilled roles, organizations need to move beyond reactive hiring to long-term workforce planning," he says. Topkoc notes that many organizations across the #GCC are already embracing this approach. "As per our research, 31.6% of organizations identified reskilling and upskilling as their primary response to national workforce mandates, while 29.5% prioritized building local talent pipelines. This signals a clear move toward capability-building as the foundation for long-term compliance and competitiveness. The practical step is skills-based workforce planning—understanding the skills you have today, identifying future gaps, and acting before they become hiring challenges." 📊 Topkoc's insights are among those featured in our special story titled 'Beyond the Quota: The Next Chapter in the Emiratization Journey (and What It Means for UAE Business Leaders)'. 🔗 Read the full article HERE: mena.entrepreneur.com/business-news/… ✍️ Aalia Mehreen Ahmed