Sohar International, in collaboration with Visa and Lahunna, hosted the grand finale of the ‘She’s Next’ program in Oman, celebrating the achievements of female entrepreneurs.
The event awarded a total prize pool of $98,819 (OMR 38,000), aimed at supporting the growth and development of women-owned businesses across the country.
The initiative forms part of the Bank’s ongoing commitment to empowering Omani women entrepreneurs and supporting national efforts to build a more diversified and resilient economy aligned with Oman Vision 2040.
The winner of the Main Prize was Baladi Baby, owned by Ahlam Al Khabouri. The winner of the Runner-Up prize was Luvashk, owned by Laila Fadhil, and the winner of the People’s Favorite Prize was Ypyap Param, owned by Ahoud Al Shibli.
The event brought together key stakeholders from the entrepreneurial ecosystem, where five shortlisted finalists presented their business concepts and growth strategies to a distinguished judging panel comprising senior representatives from Sohar International and program mentor Dr. Siham Ahmed Al-Harthi.
The program provides an integrated platform combining financial support, mentorship, and capability-building, enabling women-led businesses to strengthen their competitiveness and scale sustainably.
Abdulwahid Mohamed Al Murshidi Chief Executive Officer- Sohar International
“Through initiatives such as She’s Next, we are enabling a new generation of business leaders to translate ambition into tangible economic value, supporting the Sultanate’s journey toward diversification, competitiveness, and long-term prosperity in line with Oman Vision 2040. At Sohar International, our commitment to empowering women is embedded within our broader strategy to support inclusive growth and strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Through solutions such as Be Zahiya and Zahiya Plus, we continue to provide tailored financial tools that enable women to participate actively in economic development and contribute to building a more dynamic and future-ready Oman.”
Adding her perspective, Maha Nizam, Visa’s Head of Marketing for the GCC, remarked that, “She’s Next was built on a simple conviction — that the right support at the right time can change the trajectory of a business entirely. The entrepreneurs in this program proved that Omani women have the ideas, the drive, and the capability to scale. At Visa, we believe inclusive economies are stronger economies, and enabling women-led businesses to grow is central to that belief. Our role, alongside Sohar International, is to make sure ambition never stalls for lack of access. This is what meaningful progress looks like.”
As part of the program’s development journey, participants will benefit from personalized mentorship provided by Dr. Siham Ahmed Al-Harthi, supporting them in refining business strategies and enhancing readiness for growth.
This capability-building approach was further strengthened through collaboration with Lahunna, a leading organization dedicated to advancing women in business, ensuring participants received structured guidance that supports long-term sustainability.
