[Fintech] Leading with Impact: Women Entrepreneurs Driving MENA’s FinTech Revolution

The FinTech industry, much like many others, still has significant strides to make in achieving gender diversity. Despite ongoing efforts to promote women's economic empowerment, female entrepreneurship remains an underutilized driver of inclusive growth, employment, and innovation. According to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM), the gender gap in business ownership remains substantial, with women establishing and owning businesses at significantly lower rates than men worldwide.

Furthermore, the MENA region experiences an annual economic loss of $575 billion due to the need for more female economic participation. According to Center's observations this year, the MENA region still faces many challenges in including more women in entrepreneurship due to several obstacles, including access to capital and markets. Despite this, the impact of women entrepreneurs in recent years cannot be ignored, as they have been empowering other women and driving positive change within the industry. Women are increasingly crucial as the FinTech industry revolutionizes financial services through technology.

In this article, will discuss the impact of women entrepreneurs on the FinTech industry and How Women Entrepreneurs in the MENA Region are Revolutionizing the FinTech Industry from Empowerment to Impact.

The Rise of Women Entrepreneurs in the FinTech Industry

Although women-owned businesses represent less than 5% of total businesses in the MENA region compared to a global average of up to 26%, there has been a significant uptick in female-led startups. This rise can be attributed to improved access to education, increased funding opportunities, shifting cultural attitudes, and the exponential growth of the FinTech sector.

According to Arabian Business , Saudi women entrepreneurs now account for nearly 40% of all entrepreneurs in the Kingdom, with a 112% increase in commercial registrations for female-led businesses, as noted by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology of Saudi Arabia . Similarly, the United Arab Emirates is home to over 23,000 businesses run by Emirati women, collectively valued at $45–50 billion.

Women entrepreneurs have emerged as a formidable force, breaking stereotypes and paving the way for future generations. Among them are:

• Raja Al Mazrouei , CEO of Etihad Credit Insurance (ECI) and a key figure in Dubai’s financial technology sector.
• Mirna Sleiman , Founder and CEO of Fintech Galaxy , a leading open banking and financial innovation company connecting fintech startups with major banks.
• Sarah Toukan , Co-founder of Ziina زينة , a digital wallet revolutionizing peer-to-peer payments in the UAE.
• Mona Ataya , Co-founder and CEO of Mumzworld.com , a pioneering e-commerce platform integrating fintech solutions for seamless transactions.
• Noha Shaker , Founder and Secretary General of the Egyptian FinTech Association , a key advocate for fintech innovation and financial inclusion in Egypt.
• Ola Doudin , CEO and Co-founder of BitOasis , the Middle East and North Africa’s (MENA) largest digital asset trading exchange and platform, aims its services at individuals, professional traders, and investors both regionally and internationally.
• Nadine Mezher , Co-Founder of Sarwa ثروة , a financial platform where users can trade stocks and ETFs and buy and sell cryptocurrencies, as well as passively invest their money.
• Fatma El Shenawy , co-founder of Khazna , aims to improve the financial well-being of underbanked Egyptians.
• Dina Sam'an , Founder and Managing Director of CoinMENA , a crypto-asset provider for the Middle East, which is regulated and licensed by the Central Bank of Bahrain. Investors can buy, sell, store, and receive digital assets and be able to deposit and withdraw in their local currency.

And many more women entrepreneurs' hands to hands to raise the fintech businesses in the MENA region.

Key Drivers of the Rise of Women Entrepreneurs in MENA’s FinTech Industry

One of the primary drivers behind this surge is the increasing availability of education, training programs, and mentorship initiatives. Programs such as Womena , DIFC FinTech Hive’s AccelerateHer, and She Wins Arabia provide invaluable resources and support, equipping female entrepreneurs with the tools they need to succeed in a traditionally male-dominated industry.

Additionally, regional economic diversification plans like Saudi Vision 2030 and Qatar National Vision 2030 actively promote female entrepreneurship in the private sector, including fintech. Governments and regulatory bodies are also implementing policies to support digital finance and encourage gender-inclusive growth in financial services.

Moreover, the cultural landscape in the region is shifting. Digital transformation and the rise of fintech solutions have democratized access to financial tools, creating new opportunities for women-led businesses. More women are leveraging their expertise to launch fintech startups that address financial gaps, cater to underserved communities, and enhance financial inclusion.

The Impact of Women Entrepreneurs on the FinTech Industry

Women in the region have started to make their mark in the entrepreneurial world, with many focusing on FinTech, an industry combining technology and financial services. In recent years, the impact of women entrepreneurs in the Middle East on the FinTech industry has been significant. According to a report by Arabnet, female-led FinTech startups accounted for 12% of all FinTech startups in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

One of the main ways women entrepreneurs in the Middle East have impacted the FinTech industry is through their innovation and creativity. They have been at the forefront of developing new FinTech solutions that cater to the needs of their communities. This has created a range of new financial products and services, such as mobile payment solutions, crowdfunding platforms, and online lending platforms. Another way that women entrepreneurs in the Middle East have impacted the FinTech industry is by promoting financial inclusion to use FinTech to reach underserved communities and provide them with access to financial services that were previously unavailable to them. This has helped to empower women and promote economic development in the region.

Furthermore, women entrepreneurs in the Middle East have also been instrumental in promoting diversity and inclusivity in the FinTech industry. They have been working to ensure the industry is open to all, regardless of gender, race, or background. This has resulted in a more diverse and inclusive industry that is better able to meet the needs of its customers.

Conclusion

As we celebrate International Women's Day 2025, it’s vital to recognize the immense contributions of women entrepreneurs in the FinTech sector across MENA. Despite persistent challenges ranging from funding constraints to societal expectations—these women are breaking barriers, shaping the future of digital finance, and fostering inclusive economic growth.

However, sustained progress requires a collective effort. Governments must implement gender-responsive policies, the private sector must champion diversity initiatives, and investors must prioritize funding for women-led ventures. By creating an enabling ecosystem, we can fully unlock the potential of women entrepreneurs and drive transformative change across the fintech landscape.

The future of FinTech in the MENA region is undoubtedly female-powered. Now is the time to support, invest in, and amplify the voices of women entrepreneurs shaping the industry. Their success is not just a win for women—it’s a win for economies, innovation, and financial inclusion.