12 Egyptian Women Named among Forbes Middle East's 100 Most Powerful Businesswomen 2023

Women in the Middle East and North Africa today lead some of the largest companies in the region, with some also making their mark internationally.

Hana Al Rostamani, Group CEO of First Abu Dhabi Bank, and Raja Easa Al Gurg, Chairperson & Managing Director of Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group were both recognized on Forbes’ list of the World’s 100 Most Powerful Women 2022, taking their place among some of the most influential female leaders globally. Mona Ataya, Founder and CEO of Mumzworld and Randa Sadik, CEO of Arab Bank were also recognized on Forbes 50 Over 50: Europe, Middle East, and Africa for 2023.

This year’s list of the region’s most powerful businesswomen features 100 entries, with 104 women from 27 different sectors and 27 nationalities. The banking and financial services sector dominates the list with 23 entries, followed by 11 who are leading diversified businesses, eight from the investments sector, six from the retail sector, and five from healthcare. The U.A.E. and Egypt scored the most entries at 15 and 12, respectively, followed by 11 from Saudi Arabia, eight from Kuwait, and six each from Lebanon, Qatar, and Oman.

 Leading the list in terms of Egyptian women was National Bank of Egypt’s (NBE) first female Executive Deputy Chairperson, Dalia El Baz, with an overall ranking of 13 for her inaugural entry on the list.

TAQA Arabia CEO, Pakinam Kafafi, held her spot from last year at 21 as Egypt’s second woman on the list, followed by Refined Architecture and Interior Design (RAMSCO) founder and chairwoman Rawya Mansour for her debut on the list at 27.

Reem Assad, CISCO’s Vice President for Middle East and Africa (MEA), placed 39 as the fourth Egyptian woman on the list. Integrated Diagnostics Holdings (IDH) Group CEO, Hend El Sherbini, placed at 42. The Orientals Group’s power siblings, Farida and Yasmine Khamis, sat at 43. 

 Following the sisters were EFG Hermes’ Non-Executive Chairperson and Founding Partner & Chair of Executive Committee of Zulficar & Partners, Mona Zulficar (48); Hoda Mansour, SAP’s SVP & Southern Europe, Middle East and Africa Regional Head of Business Process Transformation (53); and Elham Mahfouz, CEO of The Commercial Bank of Kuwait (Al-Tijari) (56).

MITCHA’s Founder and CEO Hilda Louca placed at 62; followed by Deputy CEO of NAEEM Holding for Investments, and Chairwoman and Managing Director of NAEEM Financial Investments, Omnia Kelig (84); and Abir Leheta, CEO of EGYTrans at 87.