Fatiha Othmane elected Arab Businesswomen Council vice president for African affairs

Thursday 01 - 09:50

Cairo — Moroccan business leader Fatiha Othmane has been elected vice president in charge of African affairs at the Arab Businesswomen Council, an organization operating under the umbrella of the League of Arab States.

The appointment was announced Wednesday in Cairo during the Council’s eighth periodic meeting, held at the headquarters of the Arab League. It represents a new stage in Othmane’s involvement with the organization, where she has previously headed its cultural and social committee and represented Moroccan businesswomen.

Her election also comes as Moroccan women entrepreneurs expand their participation within the Council. According to Othmane, their representation has grown to nearly 20 members and continues to increase.

A role focused on Arab-African economic links

Othmane said her new position would allow her to build on previous efforts to deepen economic cooperation and create stronger links between businesswomen across Arab and African markets.

Among the priorities she identified are the development of partnerships, the promotion of investment opportunities and the exchange of professional expertise. She also highlighted the importance of creating new avenues for women entrepreneurs to participate in economic activity and access decision-making positions.

The Moroccan representative said she intends to use her experience and professional network within the Council to help translate cooperation into practical economic opportunities. One objective is to connect Moroccan businesswomen with joint Arab initiatives and projects while encouraging greater participation by Arab women across a broader range of economic sectors.

Strengthening women's economic participation

The new leadership role places particular emphasis on turning professional networks into opportunities for cooperation and investment. Othmane said she wants to contribute to initiatives that can give women entrepreneurs greater access to partnerships and business opportunities across the Arab economic space.

She also expressed her intention to contribute to strengthening the Council’s collective work and to expanding the visibility of Moroccan and Arab businesswomen in regional economic affairs.

The eighth periodic meeting was held as part of the Council’s seventh session for the 2026-2030 period, bringing together Council members and representatives from several Arab countries.

Discussions covered ways to reinforce the role of Arab businesswomen, broaden cooperation and partnership frameworks, and support women-led economic initiatives. The broader objective was to encourage greater participation by Arab women in economic development and expand the networks connecting women entrepreneurs across the region.

Morocco's growing representation

For Morocco, Othmane’s election provides an additional platform for its businesswomen to participate in regional economic initiatives. Her previous involvement in the Council, combined with the growing number of Moroccan members, places her new responsibilities within a broader expansion of Moroccan participation in the organization.

Her mandate will therefore involve both an African dimension and a wider effort to facilitate economic connections among women entrepreneurs in Arab countries, with cooperation, investment and knowledge-sharing at the center of the Council’s agenda.