Doha hosted the inaugural Global Women in Business Conference from October 17 to 18, 2026, convening entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders to foster networking, share knowledge, and support the expansion of women-led businesses on an international scale. Organized by She Means Business (SMB), the event marked the first edition of this global gathering, with Qatar’s capital selected as the launch venue due to its strategic location, safety, and cultural appeal.

Marycollette Kekong, co-founder of SMB, highlighted Qatar’s advantages as a key factor in choosing Doha for the conference. She emphasized the country’s position as a hub offering a conducive environment for international participation. The two-day program featured discussions spanning multiple sectors including health, technology, leadership, business, film, and finance. Additionally, the event officially launched the Women in Film & Finance initiative, aiming to support women’s growth in those industries.

At its core, the conference sought to build stronger connections among women entrepreneurs, guiding them to scale their businesses beyond local or regional markets. SMB, which counts over 50,000 members across approximately 20 countries, focuses on empowering women to structure their ventures effectively, secure funding, and accelerate growth.

Kekong pointed out that many women entrepreneurs often succeed within their domestic markets but face challenges expanding internationally due to limited exposure to different approaches and business environments. The conference aimed to bridge this gap by facilitating direct exchange and knowledge sharing among participants from diverse regions. “When you meet other women from different countries, you learn how to structure better and scale faster,” she noted.

She encouraged attendees to leave the event equipped with enhanced knowledge, broader networks, and a renewed determination to grow their enterprises. Kekong also addressed the obstacles female entrepreneurs often encounter, urging persistence despite difficulties. “Don’t give up. Just keep pushing,” she said. “Sometimes it seems really hard. It seems as if you’re on the wrong path, but just keep pushing and you’ll get there.”

Furthermore, Kekong advised younger entrepreneurs to leverage the experiences and lessons learned by others to avoid common pitfalls and accelerate their business growth. The conference underscored SMB’s broader mission to support women in progressing from startup phases to successful international operations through shared expertise and collaboration.