Women’s business leaders in the Middle East are becoming globally uncertain about opportunities, with 78 percent expressing confidence in their three-year growth prospects, according to KPMG’s report on the Middle East Eastover Outlook 2025, “a call for clarity.”
The study highlights that female managers throughout the region remain satisfied with the business and talent growth, but they encourage corporate strategies in the areas of artificial intelligence (AI), and social development, and social development.
Despite the fact that 65 percent of respondents reported gender-neutral experiences in the past three years, this report notes that many women continue to redefine leadership with compassion, resilience, and collaboration.
Women’s business leaders
Government-led reforms in the Gulf across the Gulf are also accelerating change and supporting greater participation in the leadership and technology sectors.
In the UAE, the Gender Equality Council has also played an important role in improving women’s participation and status now, with women accounting for 70 percent of university graduates and 56 percent of Stem graduates from central universities.
In Saudi Arabia, the participation of women in the labor force reaches 36.3 percent in Q1 2025, surpassing the vision of the 2030 target of 20 percent in the year 2030.
In Oman, ongoing reforms continue to increase women’s representation in international organizations.
Measuring technology and people
A report by KPMG reveals that 64 percent of women leaders in the Middle East expect their income to increase between 2.5 and 9.9 percent over the next three years, driven by more middle-class income in technology and finance.
While 60 percent of regional respondents say their organizations invest more in people than technology, globally 56 percent prioritize technology.
This comparison emphasizes the region’s emphasis on human capital as a long-term competitive advantage.
Kholoud Moussa, partner, head of our impact program at KPMG Middle East, said that women leaders in the Middle East are showing that their resilience and brilliance is evident.
“Our acquisition shows that meaningful progress will depend on how companies prioritize, from Ayi and Esg to how they invest in people and culture.”
AI, ESG and the Clarity Challenge
Although 44 percent of business leaders are women in the Middle East, it means that AI is the most important thing to invest in, the same signature is not over, the signature is neutral about how to integrate technology into their business strategies.
Most respondents (62 percent) identified efficiency and productivity gains as the main benefits of AI adoption.
Similarly, 45 percent of respondents say ESG principles are fully embedded in their organizations, but one in three remain uncertain about the level of implementation.
Almost half also doubted whether their companies are on track to meet net-zero goals by 2030.
The findings reveal that women leaders see both AI and Esg as critical to future competition – but many still want clarity, balanced frameworks, and possible roads to make these aspirations come true.
Leadership and inclusion
KPMG’s research also examined the risks posed by women in leadership positions. Almost half (49 percent) of respondents in the Middle East – and 57 percent globally – say cyberbullying has increased over the past three years.
Among those affected, 54 percent reported harassment or harassment from fake profiles, while 39 percent felt cyberbullying and defamation.
Despite these social challenges, respondents expressed confidence that inclusive leadership can directly drive growth.
Seventy-four percent said that achieving gender equality in the C-Suite would help their organizations meet business objectives, although only 36 percent based on official estimates.
Networks are popular for teaching, leadership programs, and organizational change to achieve continuous improvement.
An idea
As the economies of the Middle East continue to transform, women leaders are repurposing Bogiboard discussions around purpose-driven leadership, sustainable growth, and digital transformation.
The KPMG Outlook 2025 Women Leaders report concludes that women managers are not only confident in their growth prospects but actively define what organizational strength looks like – balancing human balance with technological ambitions.
