Women in Leadership, Celebrity Entrepreneurs, Young Minds Capture Global Markets in 2026 

One hundred leaders fill the 2026 Forbes list of most powerful women, shaping economies totaling $37 trillion while reaching more than a billion people; seventeen appear here for the first time. At the top among Arab women stands Huda Kattan, an Iraqi-UAE business figure who turned digital content into a fortune exceeding one billion dollars, without relying on inherited wealth. Three labels now carry her name – Huda Beauty, Wishful, and Kayali – each pulling in massive yearly revenue, backed by a following larger than fifty-five million. 

First came Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi – UAE’s pioneer woman at the economy helm – a blend of state influence and forward planning, noticed globally when listed by the Financial Times. Not far behind, Randa Sadik took charge at Arab Bank, steering its $28 billion reach, shattering old ideas about who runs big finance in the Arab world. Then numbers shifted: Saudi Arabia pushed female labor share past 33%, up from just 17%, thanks to Vision 2030. Meanwhile, across deserts and cities, the UAE emerged with more women leading companies than anywhere else nearby. 

Out of nowhere, young women now shape entire markets using online tools. Salama Mohamed started Peacefull – a skincare line that feels good and includes everyone. Meanwhile, Joelle Mardinian grew her audience to 21.5 million people, then opened clinics across Dubai and Riyadh. In Egypt, new companies led by women are rising fast – especially where tech meets beauty. The internet changed everything; it let Huda Kattan build something huge without offices or investors, only a phone and Instagram.