The DIFC Academy has joined forces with London Business School to provide executive education scholarships specifically designed for Emirati women, the two institutions said in a joint announcement this week. Up to 10 full scholarships will be awarded to support participants in a range of leadership and management programmes offered by the UK-based business school. The move forms part of wider efforts to strengthen female representation in senior business roles across the United Arab Emirates.
Eligibility for the scholarships extends to Emirati women currently serving in managerial or executive positions within the private or public sectors. Selected candidates will gain access to programmes such as the Senior Executive Programme, the Women in Leadership course and other specialised executive modules. Delivery will combine residential sessions in both Dubai and London with flexible online learning to minimise disruption to professional responsibilities, according to the programme outline.
Figures from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation show that Emirati women comprised 71 per cent of the national private sector workforce by the middle of 2026. The ministry’s data further indicate that women accounted for 55 per cent of Emiratis in leadership and executive positions in the private sector. This surge, which includes a 128 per cent rise in female participation since 2023, underscores the growing influence of Emirati women in the economy.
In an announcement on its newsroom, DIFC Academy described the partnership as a strategic investment in developing the next generation of female business leaders equipped to navigate complex global markets. The academy, which focuses on capacity building in financial services and innovation, has previously collaborated on talent development initiatives across the region. London Business School, consistently ranked among the world’s top institutions for executive education, brings decades of experience in leadership training to the collaboration.
A separate assessment by the UAE Gender Balance Council placed women’s share of leadership roles in the broader workforce at 33.8 per cent. Board representation for women at listed companies reached 15 per cent in 2026, more than four times the level recorded in 2020, according to the GCC Board Gender Index Report produced by Heriot-Watt University and Aurora50. These trends highlight the progress made while pointing to continued opportunities for targeted development programmes such as the new scholarship scheme.
Applicants will be evaluated on criteria including career accomplishments, demonstrated leadership qualities and potential to contribute to national development objectives. The scholarship recipients will become part of an alumni network that facilitates ongoing knowledge exchange and professional support. The initiative is expected to reinforce the UAE’s position as a hub for inclusive economic growth through enhanced executive capabilities among its female talent pool.
