Moving from saving to investing is becoming an increasingly important part of how women approach financial independence and long-term wealth creation in the UAE. That focus shaped a financial empowerment session held this week at the Ministry of Interior headquarters in Abu Dhabi, as part of the nationwide Emirati Women’s Day celebrations, which this year run from 28 August to 28 September under the theme “We Emerge Stronger and Better.”
Emirati Women: From Saving to Wealth Building
Aqdar · Abu Dhabi, Emirati Women’s Day 2026
Samah Al Hajeri, Economics and Financial Empowerment Expert
The session, titled “Emirati Women: From Saving to Wealth Building” (translated from Arabic), was organised by the Khalifa Empowerment Programme “Aqdar” and presented by Samah Al Hajeri, an economics and financial empowerment expert. The event was reported by the Emirates News Agency (WAM).
The session aimed to strengthen financial and investment literacy among Emirati women and support them in making informed decisions that help them move from saving to investing and long-term wealth building. Rather than concentrating only on household saving, the discussion covered smart saving, investment fundamentals, the relationship between risk and return, diversification, and building portfolios aligned with individual financial objectives and risk tolerance.
The session also examined how investors can assess investment opportunities, identify common investment mistakes and recognise unrealistic financial promises. Participants were encouraged to approach asset allocation and investment decisions through a longer-term financial plan rather than relying on isolated investment choices.
The emphasis on investing reflects a trend already visible in market data. According to the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX), nearly 125,000 active Emirati female investors participated in its market by the end of July 2026. Their shareholdings were worth approximately AED39 billion, representing 94 percent of the total value held by female investors on the exchange.
For the UAE’s financial-services sector, the development is notable because it places women’s financial capability within the broader conversation around investment participation and wealth creation. As women become more engaged with investment products and financial planning, financial literacy can influence not only individual household decisions but also how capital is accumulated, diversified and deployed.
The discussion also comes as the UAE continues to strengthen its position as a regional financial centre. In mid-September, WAM reported that Dubai had been ranked first worldwide for fintech in the Global Financial Centres Index, and that it remains the only financial centre in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region within the global top ten.
For women in finance, the Abu Dhabi session highlights an important dimension of participation: financial empowerment is not limited to entering the workforce or holding senior positions within financial institutions. It also encompasses the ability to understand investment, evaluate risk and make informed decisions about long-term wealth.
With women increasingly becoming participants in investment and wealth-management ecosystems, initiatives that strengthen financial and investment literacy can contribute to a more informed generation of female investors and financial decision-makers in the UAE.
Based on reporting by the Emirates News Agency (WAM) and on data published by the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange.
By Omkar Kurtkoti
