Dubai – Sharikat Mubasher: The Abu Dhabi Registration and Licensing Authority (ADRA), part of the Department of Economic Development (ADDED), announced that 5,930 new economic licences were issued to Emirati women entrepreneurs between July 2024 and June 2025, raising the total to 21,115 by mid-2025.

According to a recent press release, this surge highlights the growing role of Emirati women in driving economic growth and reflects the impact of initiatives under the National Strategy for the Empowerment of Emirati Women (2023–2031), launched by Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak.

ADRA said women accounted for 18% of all new licences issued in the past year, underscoring their expanding leadership in Abu Dhabi’s business sector. Among the licences, 46.6% were Mobdea permits allowing home-based businesses, 30% were Tajer Abu Dhabi trader licences, with others spanning freelance, agricultural, and industrial activities.

Mohamed Munif Al Mansoori, ADRA Director General, stated that the rise demonstrates the strength of Abu Dhabi’s inclusive entrepreneurship ecosystem, asserting the authority’s commitment to enabling women to innovate and contribute to the emirate’s socio-economic development.