Kuwait Conference Puts Women's Economic Inclusion on Agenda

Kuwait’s economic affairs minister told policymakers, CEOs and academics gathered in a Grand Hyatt ballroom this week that women’s economic empowerment is a pillar of a more competitive, diversified national economy. The inaugural Women & the Economy Conference was opened by Lei Wa Lakom, a Kuwait-based nonprofit focused on financial awareness, knowledge-sharing and community development.

Abdulaziz Nasser Al-Marzouq, Minister of State for Economic Affairs and Investment, placed the event under his patronage and attended in person. Lei Wa Lakom organized it with Kuwait University and the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS). The gathering drew policymakers, investors, academics, global experts and emerging women leaders from Kuwait and abroad.

The Case for Inclusion

Taiba Alhumaidhi, founder of Lei Wa Lakom, opened the conference with a keynote on why women’s economic inclusion is a national imperative. The minister then delivered his address.

"Our patronage of the Women & the Economy Conference reflects the State's commitment to women's economic empowerment as a key pillar of a more competitive and diversified national economy, in line with New Kuwait Vision 2035," Al-Marzouq said. "Kuwaiti women have proven their capability and their ability to contribute effectively across all sectors, and we are confident that dialogue bringing together government, the private sector, and academia will help create new opportunities that strengthen their role in Kuwait's development."

Alhumaidhi echoed that message. "Kuwaiti women have always been a cornerstone of the country's economic and development journey," she said. She said the conference aims to bring policymakers, investors and business leaders together "to build connections and share knowledge, strengthening Kuwait's position as a hub for inclusive economic dialogue." She thanked the minister and the sponsors and partners who backed the first edition. Organizers, she said, hoped to develop "practical recommendations that create new opportunities and build strategic partnerships."

Money on the Table

One announcement came with concrete resources attached. National Bank of Kuwait unveiled NBK FoundHER, which Maryam Al-Nasralla, AVP of Talent Management at the bank, presented. The programme supports Kuwaiti women who already own businesses, offering training in finance, marketing, legal fundamentals, business growth and presentation skills, along with access to experts and networking. At the end, participants will present growth plans to a panel of judges. Selected projects will receive financial grants to put those plans into action.

Voices on the Panels

The first panel, "Present-Day Realities," examined women’s economic participation in Kuwait, its challenges and its success stories. Tareq Al-Saleh, Managing Director of Wealth Management at InvestGB, moderated. Panelists included Badria Alhumaidhi, CEO of Boubyan Capital; Bibi Marafie, Director of the One Stop Shop Department at the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA); Shaikha AlMugahwi, Executive Manager Premium Sales at Kuwait Finance House (KFH); and Lulwa AlFouzan, Vice President of Human Resources at Kuwait Investment Company (KIC).

The second panel, "The Future of Women in the Economy," focused on artificial intelligence, fintech and policy. British Ambassador to Kuwait Qudsi Rasheed moderated. Henadi Alsaleh, CEO of Agility; Kriti Gupta, Executive Director and Global Investment Strategist at JP Morgan; Satoko Nozaki, Digital & IT Director at IKEA; and Amal Al-Duwaisan, SVP of the Digital Banking Group at NBK, took part.

What Comes Next

The conference was due to continue the following day with a closed high-level roundtable, "From Participation to Economic Contribution: Unlocking Women's Economic Potential in Kuwait," at the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry, with the Union of Investment Companies. Organizers also planned a session for Kuwait University students, titled "Your Future, Your Money, Your Move: Jobs, AI, Money & the Decisions That Will Shape Your Next 10 Years."

Why This Matters: The conference serves as a regional reminder that women’s economic participation is increasingly framed as a matter of national competitiveness, not charity. Government backing, bank-funded grants and private-sector panels signal institutional interest. Yet a first-edition gathering and a closed-door roundtable mark a beginning, not results. For women across the Middle East, whose economic opportunities remain uneven, the test is whether these discussions lead to the practical recommendations organizers promised—and whether grants and mentoring reach women beyond the boardroom circuit. Rights and development advocates will be watching for that follow-through.