‘Fortune’ names Shaikha Al-Bahar among world’s 100 Most Powerful Businesswomen
Ranked as the most powerful businesswoman in Kuwait and second in the Middle East, her global ranking reflects her visionary leadership, her contribution to Kuwait’s financial sector
Fortune magazine has named Shaikha Al-Bahar, Deputy Group CEO of the National Bank of Kuwait (NBK), among the 100 Most Powerful Women in Business for 2025, ranking her as the most powerful businesswoman in Kuwait and second in the Middle East. Al-Bahar is the only Kuwaiti executive to feature on this year’s prestigious global list.
The annual ranking, compiled by Fortune’s editorial team, evaluates female business leaders based on several key criteria, including the size and significance of their companies, the leader’s career trajectory, influence, innovation, and their role in shaping the future of their industry, reports Al-Jarida daily.
Despite more than 50 women now heading companies on the Fortune 500 list, only 20 made it onto this year’s top 100, underscoring the high competitiveness of the selection. Notable global figures on the list include Mary Barra (General Motors), Julie Sweet (Accenture), Jane Fraser (Citigroup), Lisa Su (AMD), and Ana Botín (Banco Santander).
As a vital leader at NBK, Al-Bahar has driven the bank’s strategic transformation, playing a major role in its digitalization, sustainability agenda, and regional expansion. Under her leadership, NBK has solidified its position as Kuwait’s largest financial institution and a leading regional bank with top-tier credit ratings.
Her key accomplishments are:
- Launched “Weyi”, Kuwait’s first fully digital bank, targeting the next generation of customers with innovative digital financial solutions.
- Championed NBK’s Sustainable Finance Framework, integrating ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) standards across the group’s operations.
- Founded the NBK RISE Program, a transformative initiative that empowers and supports women in leadership roles.
- Introduced “Bankee”, a national financial literacy program in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Kuwait Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha), which educated over 32,000 students and involved 7,200 teachers during the 2024–2025 academic year.
Al-Bahar’s inclusion in the global ranking reflects her visionary leadership, her contribution to Kuwait’s financial sector, and her ongoing efforts to align NBK’s growth with global sustainability and innovation goals.
