
eTrade for Women Masterclass
Women in the Middle East digital ecosystemsBuilding successful companies
The rapid spread of digital technologies in the Arab region is creating many business opportunities. Yet, women entrepreneurs still face obstacles to grow their businesses. To help address this challenge, the eTrade for Women initiative, led by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, hosted its first Masterclass for women digital entrepreneurs from the Arab region. The Masterclass was organized in partnership with Mona Ataya, Founder and CEO of Mumzworld, and eTrade for Women Advocate. It gathered 15 women entrepreneurs leading a digital business in the region.
Who can apply to the Masterclass?
- You are a woman and you are the founder/co-founder of your business
- You have a track record of 2 to 5 years in this role
- New technologies and digital tools are at the heart of your business model and operations
- You are based in one of the following countries : Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates
- You want to make a difference and impact your ecosystem

Do you meet all these criteria? Join us and take a dive into the digital transformation!
What’s in there for you?
All sessions will be delivered by renowned business leaders and experts in their fields.
The Masterclass will combine :
- Inspirational Talks
- Learning Sessions
- Policy Dialogues
- Networking Opportunities
Agenda
Tue, March 29, 2022
02:00 – 02:30 p.m
Introduction to the eTrade for Women Masterclass
Welcoming remarks by:
- Shamika Sirimanne, Director, Division on Technology and Logistics, UNCTAD
- Mona Ataya, Founder of Mumzworld and eTrade for Women Advocate for the Arab region
- Jennifer Colville, Innovation Hub, UNDP
Masterclass objectives and programme overview:
- eTrade for Women team
02:30 – 02:45 p.m.
Connecting the dots
Meet your peers! (breakout rooms)
02:45 – 03:00 p.m
Virtual Coffee Break
03:00 – 04:00 p.m.
Learning session (1)
Uncovering Investors’ Expectations
With Nour Sweid, General Partner, Global Ventures
04:00 – 05:30 p.m.
Learning Session (2)
Understanding your Customers through Design-Thinking
With Hamza Arsbi, founder of the Mind Lab
05:30 p.m.
Closing of Day 1
Wed, March 30, 2022
02:00 – 02:05 p.m.
Introduction
Programme of the day
02:05 – 03:00 p.m.
Learning session (3)
eCommerce in the Middle East & the new consumer
with Karen Sewasa, Retail Industry Manager, Google MENA
03:15 – 03:30 p.m.
Virtual Coffee Break
03:30 – 05:00 p.m.
Policy Dialogue
Building inclusive ecosystems in the digital economy
Set-the-scene:
- Ms. Rouba Arja, Gender Team, UN-ESCWA
Panel discussion:
- Ms. Mona Ataya, Founder and CEO of Mumzworld, eTrade for Women Advocate
- Ms. Abeer Shakweer, Assistant Resident Representative, UNDP, Egypt
- Mr. Bassam Salim, Director-General, Iraqi Post
- Mr. Hadhri Khabbab, Director, Digital Economy and e-Commerce Development, Ministry of Trade, Tunisia
Moderated by:
- Ms. Maya Gebeily, Correspondent, Thomson Reuters Foundation
This session is open to the public. Livestreaming on UNCTAD Facebook Live.
05:00 p.m.
Closing of Day 2
Thu, March 31, 2022
02:00 – 02:05 p.m.
Introduction
Programme of the day
02:05 – 03:15 p.m.
Learning session (4)
Ecosystem relations and their impact on your business
With Mo Salah, Team Lead at Seedstars & Country Manager at Startup Grind
03:15 – 04:00 p.m.
Inspirational session
Interaction with Mona Ataya, eTrade for Women Advocate
04:00- 04:15 p.m.
Virtual Coffee Break
04:15 – 04:45 p.m.
Introducing the eTrade for Women Community
04:45 – 05:00 p.m.
Feedback session
- Quick evaluation survey
- Next steps
05:00 p.m
Closing of Day 3

In collaboration with our eTrade for Women Advocate
Mona Ataya
Our partners for this Masterclass


