On August 25, 2025, du, one of the UAE’s leading telecommunications and digital services providers, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Abu Dhabi Business Women Council (ADBWC) at the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce. This collaboration marks du’s first direct engagement with the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector in Abu Dhabi, focusing on enhancing opportunities for women-led businesses.
The agreement is designed to provide female entrepreneurs with advanced digital and connectivity solutions, including mobile, fixed broadband, and wireless office services. By equipping women-owned SMEs with these tools, the initiative aims to strengthen operational efficiency, foster innovation, and expand the competitive edge of female-led enterprises in a fast-moving digital economy.
Voices and Vision
The partnership drew strong endorsements from both DU and ADBWC.
Her Excellency Noor Al Tamimi, Board Member of the Abu Dhabi Business Women Council, emphasized that the collaboration will create a stronger ecosystem where women entrepreneurs can transform ambition into sustainable impact. She described it as a milestone that highlights the UAE’s commitment to positioning women at the forefront of innovation, leadership, and long-term economic growth.
Fahad Al Hassawi, CEO of du, noted that women entrepreneurs play a vital role in shaping both the economy and society. He stated that the agreement is more than just a business deal; it is an effort to bridge the technological divide and provide women-led enterprises with the resources they need to thrive in a global marketplace. Al Hassawi stressed that by empowering women with digital solutions, the partnership will help unlock innovation and fuel future growth across the region.
Broader Implications
Beyond the immediate benefits to SMEs, the MoU symbolizes a broader push toward inclusive economic participation in Abu Dhabi and the UAE. Female entrepreneurs are increasingly reshaping industries such as e-commerce, fintech, and healthtech, and their contributions are playing a central role in economic diversification. However, despite this progress, women-led businesses often face structural challenges, including limited access to funding and resources.
By introducing advanced telecommunications and digital services tailored to their needs, du’s collaboration with ADBWC addresses these gaps directly. It not only strengthens the digital backbone of women-owned enterprises but also reinforces national strategies that prioritize gender equality and innovation.
The initiative also reflects the UAE’s broader vision of creating a knowledge-driven, inclusive economy where women are recognized as essential drivers of transformation. With institutional support from councils like ADBWC and strategic partnerships with corporations like du, women entrepreneurs are positioned to play a greater role in building resilient, competitive, and sustainable businesses.
The alliance between du and the Abu Dhabi Business Women Council goes beyond providing technology—it represents a strategic commitment to nurturing women’s entrepreneurship. By aligning digital innovation with empowerment initiatives, the partnership is set to create lasting impact for female-led enterprises, advancing both economic growth and inclusivity in the UAE.
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