EWD 2024: Using education to empower entrepreneurs

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With a literacy rate of 95.8 per cent among women, the UAE leads in gender parity in the Arab world. This achievement is not surprising, given the country’s commitment to positioning women as key partners and contributors in its remarkable economic growth.

As the UAE advances as a global economic powerhouse, embracing technological and innovative disruptions, its diverse and inclusive education landscape is equipping Emirati women with the knowledge and skills to support the country’s transformation.

Today, more women than men complete secondary education and enroll in universities and postgraduate institutions. For instance, Emirati women comprise 70 per cent of all university graduates in the UAE, and 77 per cent of Emirati women enroll in higher education after secondary school. Notably, 56 per cent of the UAE’s graduates in STEM courses at government universities are women. These statistics highlight the UAE’s dedication to fostering a skilled and gender-balanced workforce.

Building on this strong educational foundation, the UAE’s efforts to promote gender balance in the workforce have led to significant progress. Women’s participation in the private sector grew by 23.1 per cent in 2023 compared to 2022, and they now account for 66 per cent of public sector workers, with 30 per cent in leadership roles and 15 per cent in technical and academic positions.

While education has opened new doors, the inclusion of entrepreneurship programmes in traditional school curriculums in the UAE is bridging the gap between academics and future industry demands.

To prepare youth, including young girls and women, for a constantly evolving workplace, these new learning experiences nurture students’ creative thinking and problem-solving skills, equipping them with a future-ready and growth mindset that is essential for entrepreneurship.

How Emirati women entrepreneurs are being supported

A 2022 survey found that 77.6 per cent of women-owned businesses in the UAE are led by those under the age of 40, reflecting the impact of educational initiatives on fostering entrepreneurial spirit among young women.

As more women choose entrepreneurship as a career path, higher education institutions have seen a 25-30 per cent rise in entrepreneurship course enrollments over the past five years. These programmes connect aspiring entrepreneurs with seasoned mentors and industry pioneers, providing firsthand insights into market-driven innovation, ethical business practices and leadership development.

Alongside these developments, the UAE’s rise as a hub for innovation and digital technologies has also inspired Emirati women to create, innovate, and lead. Women in the UAE are seizing opportunities stemming from greater access to critical business resources and the country’s streamlined business setup processes, robust infrastructure, and government support programmes, to launch and scale businesses across various sectors and emerging markets in the region.

Initiatives like the SWAN Programme by the Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development empower Emirati women entrepreneurs to transition home-based businesses into sustainable, licensed commercial enterprises. Additionally, Business Women Councils in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah are offering networking opportunities, mentorship, training, and incubation support to both UAE-based and Emirati businesswomen.

These initiatives are enabling women in the country to venture beyond conventional e-commerce and retail domains into fintech, energy, logistics, and other tech fields.

This supportive environment has fueled the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups, which represent approximately 95 per cent of firms in the UAE and contribute over 40 per cent to its GDP. As the UAE continues to build an inclusive and forward-thinking economy, developing the next generation of women entrepreneurs is vital for sustained economic growth and innovation.

Accordingly, the National Policy for Empowerment of Emirati Women – 2031 aims to integrate women into the labour market, develop their capacities, and enhance entrepreneurship and future skills through continuing education and vocational and technical training.

Technology and the digital landscape

With AI disrupting regional and global markets, creating entirely new business models, and projected to contribute close to 14 per cent of the UAE’s GDP by 2030, initiatives like the National Program for Coders’ ‘AI-Forward’ are empowering Emirati women through comprehensive and free training in AI and data-related fields.

This focus on AI and technology ensures that women entrepreneurs are well-equipped to capitalise on emerging opportunities in the digital landscape.

Training and education go beyond imparting technical skills. They empower women to overcome cultural and gender-based barriers, set higher expectations, and navigate various aspects of business development. As the technological revolution reshapes the world of work, micro-credentials in digital marketing strategies, social media, AI, and machine learning can further validate women’s expertise and enhance their credibility in the business world.

Online education platforms are responding to the rising interest in entrepreneurship with flexible and accessible learning opportunities in business management, digital marketing, finance, and more, empowering women in the UAE with the skills needed to navigate the competitive business landscape.

These micro-credentials, offering a more adaptable and cost-effective alternative to traditional on-campus degrees, are levelling the playing field by making high-quality education more attainable.

In H1 2024, Coursera saw nearly 73,000 course enrollments from female learners in the UAE, reflecting the country’s commitment to providing diverse educational pathways that are crucial for developing the next generation of female entrepreneurs and preparing them for the future of work.

The UAE has long recognised that empowered women are not just beneficiaries of progress but are the driving force behind thriving economies and a sustainable future.

By fostering entrepreneurial skills, investing in the education and upskilling of Emirati women, and giving more women the confidence to start their businesses, the UAE is realising its vision of a sustainable, innovative, and inclusive economy.

The writer is the general manager for the Middle East and Africa at Coursera.