African women’s economic participation in the Gulf is receiving renewed attention following a summit in Dubai, the ROOT’D African Women’s Summit for Economic Growth and Development, that brought together entrepreneurs, professionals, business owners and institutional representatives to examine how women can turn their economic activity into sustainable businesses, career advancement and long-term wealth.
More than 200 people attended the inaugural ROOT’D summit on 7 November 2026. ROOT’D organised the gathering with support from Expo City Foundation under the theme “Where’s the Money, Sis?” with more than 150 African women purchasing tickets, while speakers, diplomatic representatives, volunteers, business owners and other stakeholders joined the discussions.
The summit addressed a gap between the economic contributions African women already make and the recognition, financial opportunities and institutional support they receive. Across the United Arab Emirates and the wider Gulf, African women work in hospitality, retail, beauty, healthcare and other industries. Many also run businesses, manage households, support relatives across borders and send remittances to their home countries.
Others build informal enterprises through personal networks and digital platforms such as WhatsApp. Yet mainstream discussions about entrepreneurship, talent development and economic growth often overlook these contributions, according to ROOT’D.
The organisation argues that many women lack ambition, skills, or willingness to participate in the economy. Instead, they struggle to convert earnings into savings and wealth, informal businesses into sustainable enterprises, and professional experience into career advancement. Another constraint is what ROOT’D calls the “social tax”. This refers to the financial responsibilities women carry toward their families and communities, which leave little room for personal savings, business reinvestment, and long-term financial security.
Founder Joan Mwende established ROOT’D to address these challenges by connecting African women in the Gulf to the knowledge, networks and opportunities they need to grow their businesses, careers and economic contribution.
The organisation pursues this goal through four interconnected pillars, including formalisation, financial empowerment, visibility and convening. Through formalisation, ROOT’D helps women move informal businesses and side hustles towards structured, sustainable enterprises while strengthening their career development pathways. Its financial empowerment work addresses financial planning in the context of remittances, family responsibilities, savings and long-term wealth creation.
The visibility pillar helps women build credibility and commercial recognition so they can turn their expertise into clients, income and business opportunities. Through convening, ROOT’D connects women with companies, institutions and other stakeholders to build networks and open pathways for growth.
Women entrepreneurs brought the summit’s economic message to life by exhibiting and selling their products. Some vendors sold out during the event. The sales demonstrated how direct access to customers, businesses and institutional stakeholders can create commercial opportunities for African women.
According to the founder, the gathering reinforced her determination to create spaces where women can demonstrate their economic value and connect with people who can support their ambitions.
“I wanted us to create a space where African women did not have to explain why they matter. Where their contribution could be seen, their businesses could make sales, their stories could be heard, and the people who shape the ecosystem could engage with them,” she said. She added that the summit had strengthened her belief in the value of bringing people together around shared economic interests.
“What happened on 7 November reminded me that we are not starting from zero. The ambition, talent and economic activity are already here. Our responsibility is to help connect them to the right opportunities,” she added.
The initiative also speaks to Dubai’s economic relationship with Africa. ROOT’D argues that supporting African women’s businesses, careers and access to markets can strengthen commercial connections between the Gulf and the continent.
The organisation links this ambition to the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which seeks to strengthen the emirate’s position as a global destination for business, investment and talent. Stronger businesses can improve household financial security, create employment and build networks that connect markets across borders. Dubai also stand to benefit from deeper commercial engagement with African entrepreneurs and professionals.
ROOT’D plans to build on the relationships and discussions from its inaugural summit by creating further opportunities for women to develop their businesses, strengthen their financial capabilities, advance their careers and access new markets.
The organisation’s central argument is that African women already contribute to the Gulf’s economy. The challenge now is to ensure that their economic participation translates into greater financial security, stronger enterprises and lasting opportunities for growth.
Africa Global News publication.