May El Habachi

Fast Company Middle East | The future of tech, bus • 12th July 2026

Women in the Middle East show strong AI uptake. What will it take to close the gap?

According to the 2026 AI Index Report by the Stanford University Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence, Saudi Arabia ranks highest worldwide in empowering women in AI, with women accounting for 32.3% of AI inventors and authors. This is higher than Australia and Canada.

These might seem surprising, but they shouldn’t. In the Middle East, women have been making significant strides in the digital world long before AI became mainstream. According to Wamda, the share of women digital...

Fast Company Middle East | The future of tech, bus • 1st April 2026

No panic, no fire sales. Why is Dubai’s property market playing the long game?

Dubai’s property boom is facing challenges as the conflict escalates, with missiles and drones hitting key parts of the city like airports, ports, and hotels. While global headlines quickly questioned Dubai’s reputation as a safe haven, analysts on the ground have a different perspective.

Ray Vermon, a luxury real estate broker in Dubai, says the real estate sector in Dubai is holding steady despite the ongoing conflict, though some investors are adopting a wait-and-see approach.

“We’re seeing...

Fast Company Middle East | The future of tech, bus • 3rd March 2026

What’s fueling the surge in MENA’s fractional property ownership market?

Nasr and four members from his community signed up to co-invest in an apartment in New Cairo, an upscale area in the east of the city. The unit, part of an off-plan development project, is priced at an estimated EGP 5 million ($106,000) and is scheduled for completion by 2030.

“It is the only way I can invest in property,” says Nasr. “Real estate prices are very expensive, and without sharing the cost with others, I wouldn’t be able to afford it.”

The six-year payment plan also makes it access...

Fast Company Middle East | The future of tech, bus • 8th January 2026

War’s hidden casualty: The mental health of Palestinian entrepreneurs

Before October 7, 2023, Palestinian founders were part of a growing tech and startup sector. They were using their digital skills to overcome movement restrictions and connect to a global marketplace, giving them a virtual window to the world.

The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector was estimated to contribute $641 million to the economy, accounting for about 4% of the total Palestinian gross national product, according to a recent report by Gaza Sky Geeks (GSG).

But all that...

The National • 3rd September 2025

How freelancing is giving Gazans hope during war | The National

It’s been five months since Hiba Al Tibi, a 32-year-old divorcee, started freelancing at Taqat, a business incubator and co-working space, in Gaza city. Working as a graphic designer, video editor and data entry specialist, she spends about eight hours a day at the space completing assignments for clients in Egypt, Sweden and soon France.

Ms Al Tibi decided to freelance soon after her divorce. With both her daughters living with her ex-husband, she wanted to find a way to improve her situation....

The National • 15th May 2025

Syrian entrepreneurs herald 'new era for economic growth' after US lifts sanctions | The National

US President Donald Trump’s announcement this week that he will lift sanctions on Syria has brought new hope to Syrian entrepreneurs.

Mr Trump made the announcement during his visit to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, prompting a standing ovation at the US-Saudi Investment Forum.

“The lifting of sanctions on Syria caused huge relief and I see it as a pivotal step toward revitalising the Syria start-up ecosystem,” says Khaled Moustafa, co-founder of local ride hailing app YallaGo.

“It will unlock our...

The New Arab • 12th May 2025

Displaced Palestinians embrace new beginnings in Egypt

In early November 2024, Rozana Sukaik, her mother, and her brothers left Gaza to seek refuge in Egypt. What she thought would be a stay of just a few weeks has turned into 18 months, with no end in sight.

Yet Rozana and her family are among the lucky ones. With American citizenship, they were able to leave Gaza shortly after the war began.

“We only witnessed the first month of the war, until they were able to evacuate us since we have foreign passports,” she told The New Arab. “The closest and...

MIT Sloan Management Review Middle East • 10th December 2024

There’s a Surge in Data Center Demand in the Middle East. Can Growth and Sustainability be Balanced?

As the Middle East grows its digital economy, it heavily invests in data centers. With businesses and consumers generating more data than ever before, from working online to streaming and using generative AI like ChatGPT, countries in the region are building the infrastructure needed to keep up with increasing demand.
But this growth poses a problem. Data centers are among the biggest emitters of CO2 in the world. Yet, building data centers in the region shows no signs of slowing down. According...

The National • 27th October 2024

Why Saudi Arabia is emerging as key exit market for start-ups | The National

Newsweek Middle East • 24th May 2017

Cairo’s Treasures of Trash

World Politics Review • 17th December 2020

Egypt’s #MeToo Activists See Progress, but ‘the Road Ahead Is Long’

CAIRO—With hundreds of women flooding social media in recent months with accusations of sexual harassment and assault, a growing #MeToo movement is taking Egypt by storm. Their online testimonials have garnered massive public support and prompted reforms to the country’s sexual harassment laws, like granting anonymity to victims and witnesses in sexual assault cases. More broadly, they are challenging the culture of victim-blaming that is often associated with sexual harassment and assault in Eg...