Over one year, ADRA granted nearly six thousand new business licenses to Emirati women as part of efforts aligned with national strategies promoting empowerment.

Between July 2024 and June 2025, the Abu Dhabi Registration and Licensing Authority (ADRA) issued an impressive 5,930 new business licenses to Emirati women entrepreneurs. This development increased the total number of licenses held by women to 21,115 by the end of June 2025.

Operating under the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), ADRA highlighted these figures as evidence of successful initiatives aimed at empowering UAE women, fostering economic growth, and promoting diversification within the emirate.

This increase is in harmony with the National Strategy for Empowerment of Emirati Women (2023–2031), a program initiated by Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak. Her leadership roles include Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation.

Emirati Women Hold 18% of New Business Licenses

The strategy is designed to enable women to lead across significant sectors within the national economy.

Mohamed Munif Al Mansoori, Director General of ADRA, remarked on this achievement: "The increasing number of licenses granted to Emirati women underscores our economy's strength and resilience. It also reflects ADRA’s strategic efforts to cultivate an inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem. Our commitment lies in providing a supportive business environment that encourages innovation among Emirati women while playing a crucial role in Abu Dhabi’s socio-economic progression."

Al Mansoori noted that throughout this period, licenses issued to Emirati women accounted for 18 percent of all new economic licenses granted in Abu Dhabi.

He further emphasized: "Emirati women's contribution is a cornerstone for societal advancement. The fact that between July 2024 and June 2025, they represented 18 percent of all newly issued economic licenses in our emirate speaks volumes about their growing influence in shaping our business landscape. ADRA remains devoted to maintaining a licensing framework that fosters business expansion while ensuring regulatory compliance."

The data reveals that nearly half-2,768 or approximately 46.6 percent-of these new licenses were obtained through the Mobdea scheme. This initiative allows women to establish businesses covering over 50 different economic activities without needing physical office space.

A further breakdown shows that under the Tajer Abu Dhabi scheme-known as "Abu Dhabi Trader"-1,830 licenses were secured (30 percent), alongside 788 standard economic licenses and 246 freelance permits enabling engagement in over a hundred cost-effective economic activities.

Additionally, during this period, Emirati women entrepreneurs acquired 39 agricultural farm licenses and another dozen industrial Rowad permits.

These statistics not only reflect women's active participation across key sectors but also embody a forward-looking vision aligning with both Abu Dhabi’s aspirations and those at the national level for UAE’s future development.