Women shaping Qatar’s next chapter: Local leaders gain regional recognition

Sixty female leaders from across the MENA region were named to Inc. Arabia’s Women of Influence 2026, including several Qatar-based executives who are shaping the country’s business and innovation landscape. Among them are Sabina Abuova, Co‑founder and Chief Brand and Vision Officer at Snoonu; Rama Chakaki, President of Qatar Science & Technology Park; Soumaya Ben Beya Dridje, Partner at Rasmal Ventures; and Sharifa AlBarami, Digital Content & Design Manager at Visit Qatar. The list highlights contributions across technology, entrepreneurship, venture capital, tourism and communications.

"Their work is contributing to an increasingly ambitious and dynamic Qatar," the recognition notes, underscoring how these leaders are influencing the country’s economic direction and international presence.

Sabina Abuova is singled out for her role in "building one of Qatar’s most prominent homegrown technology companies"—Snoonu—where she helps drive brand and strategic vision. Snoonu has emerged as a key player in Qatar’s digital economy, and Abuova’s position reflects the growing prominence of women in operational and executive roles within local tech startups.

At the intersection of research, deep technology and entrepreneurship, Rama Chakaki leads Qatar Science & Technology Park with a mandate to strengthen Qatar’s position as a hub for innovation. Her presidency emphasizes the importance of research infrastructure and startup development as pillars for the country’s future economy, supporting early‑stage ventures and collaborations between academia and industry.

Venture capital and investment are represented by Soumaya Ben Beya Dridje, a Partner at Rasmal Ventures, who contributes to backing the next generation of entrepreneurs and technology businesses emerging from Qatar and the wider region. Rasmal’s involvement in regional deal flow and capital allocation positions the firm as an important conduit between founders and growth capital, reinforcing a critical component of the startup ecosystem.

The recognition also highlights contributors to Qatar’s tourism and creative sectors. Sharifa AlBarami, as Digital Content & Design Manager at Visit Qatar, exemplifies how communications and design professionals help connect local institutions with regional and international audiences, supporting reputation and visitor engagement strategies.

• Recognition: 60 women named to the 2026 list, spanning multiple sectors across MENA.
• Technology: Sabina Abuova and Snoonu represent homegrown digital entrepreneurship.
• Innovation infrastructure: Rama Chakaki and Qatar Science & Technology Park focus on research and deep tech.
• Investment: Soumaya Ben Beya Dridje and Rasmal Ventures support startup financing and scale.
• Tourism and communications: Sharifa AlBarami and Visit Qatar bridge local offerings to global audiences.

These profiles arrive as narratives around women's participation in the workforce evolve beyond basic representation to leadership, investment decisions and technology development. For younger professionals and entrepreneurs in Qatar, the visibility of these leaders serves as concrete examples of career paths across industry, government‑linked innovation hubs and private capital.

Looking ahead, the combined influence of operators, investors and public‑facing communicators suggests a broader shift in how Qatar’s economy is being shaped. As local startups mature and research institutions deepen partnerships, the prominence of leaders such as Abuova, Chakaki, Ben Beya Dridje and AlBarami will be important markers of how talent, capital and storytelling converge to define the next chapter of the country’s business and innovation ecosystem.