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Middle East Set For $1 Trillion Generational Wealth Transfer By 2030, With Technology At The Forefront

The Middle East is set to witness an unprecedented $1 trillion transfer of wealth by 2030, with High Net Worth individuals (HNWIs) in the UAE experiencing significant growth in assets, which have surged by 20% since 2022 to hit $700 billion. This historic wealth transition is made all the more complex by the increasingly diversified nature of assets, which now encompass everything from traditional real estate and investments to digital assets like cryptocurrency.

Emerging digital technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, smart contracts, and tokenization are offering promising solutions to streamline and secure this generational wealth transfer, addressing the rising demand for transparency and efficiency in asset distribution. According to Mohammad Alblooshi, CEO of DIFC Innovation Hub, “We are at the crossroads of a monumental generational wealth shift in the Middle East, at a time when wealth portfolios are increasingly complex.”

Increased Complexity In The Inheritance Process

Despite the potential of new technologies, the wealth transfer process remains incredibly complicated. A recent report from DIFC Innovation Hub, Julius Baer, and Euroclear reveals that only 24% of HNWIs have comprehensive estate plans in place. Many families are overwhelmed by the task of managing diverse assets and the allocation process, with over half of them citing the challenge of organizing wealth across large families as too time-consuming and complex.

Historically, inheritance was limited to physical assets like land or gold, but today’s wealth is spread across multiple asset classes, including real estate, investments, art, and even crypto. The changing nature of wealth demands a corresponding evolution in the processes that support it, creating the need for a new ecosystem to manage this growing complexity.

Human Factors Hampering Wealth Transfer

The wealth transfer system, however, faces significant barriers due to human challenges. A substantial 73% of wealth holders are reluctant to engage in discussions about legacy planning, even with their most trusted advisors, which can delay or complicate wealth transfers. Over half of all wealth transfers face delays due to insufficient preparation, legal hurdles, and probate processes that can extend up to 12 months. This often results in wealth being temporarily inaccessible, subjected to legal scrutiny, and incurring hefty fees, which weakens the financial legacy passed on to future generations.

Digital Technology As A Key To Preserving Wealth

To address these challenges, wealth managers in the Middle East must rethink how they approach the transfer of assets. Digital innovations, particularly blockchain and AI, are beginning to reshape the inheritance landscape by offering greater visibility, faster transfers, and fewer obstacles. As Alireza Valizadeh, CEO of Julius Baer Middle East, explains, “The onset of digital assets calls for a new approach to legacy management that promotes readiness and reduces friction.”

The Role Of Regulation In Building Trust

For these new technologies to gain widespread acceptance, regulatory support will be crucial. A unified approach between wealth managers, service providers, and regulators will help build a secure, scalable wealth transfer platform that not only protects assets but ensures equitable distribution, securing long-term financial stability for future generations.

As the Middle East moves toward a digital-driven future, these advancements will play a pivotal role in preserving wealth across generations.

Forbes Middle East Unveils 100 Most Powerful Businesswomen Of 2025

Forbes Middle East has unveiled its much-anticipated 2025 ranking of the region’s top businesswomen, spotlighting influential leaders reshaping industries and driving meaningful transformation. The list was based on business size, individual accomplishments, leadership impact, and corporate social responsibility initiatives.

Top Spot For Hana Al Rostamani

For the third consecutive year, Hana Al Rostamani, Group CEO of First Abu Dhabi Bank (UAE’s largest bank by assets), claims the top position. In addition to retaining her position in the Forbes Middle East ranking, she was also featured on Forbes’ 2024 list of the World’s Most Powerful Women, securing the 60th position globally. Under her leadership, the bank achieved an impressive $3.5 billion in net profits and $334.8 billion in assets in the first nine months of 2024.

Rising Stars In The Top 10

Shaikha Khaled Al Bahar of NBK Group and Shaista Asif, cofounder and Group CEO of PureHealth Holding, take the second and third spots respectively, completing the top three.

The top 10 remains largely unchanged from last year, with Tayba Al Hashemi of ADNOC Offshore, Alisha Moopen of Aster DM Healthcare GCC, and Suzanne Al Anani of Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects (DAEP) making their debut in the top 10. In total, 27 new leaders have joined the list this year.

A Diverse And Powerful Group Of Women

This year’s list features 100 women from 32 sectors and 29 nationalities, underlining the diversity of talent driving the region’s progress. The banking and financial services sector leads with 25 entries, followed by healthcare and technology with nine each, and venture capital with five. Remarkably, 40% of the top 10 women are from the banking and financial services sector. Notably, Shaista Asif (PureHealth Holding) and Alisha Moopen (Aster DM Healthcare GCC) are the only non-Arab women in the top 10.

UAE Leads With 46 Leaders

The UAE continues to dominate, with 46 of the women on the list hailing from the country, solidifying its status as a global business hub. Egypt follows with 18 influential women, and Saudi Arabia claims nine entries. Egyptians lead in representation, followed by Emiratis and Lebanese women.

Empowering Women Through Initiatives

Several of the leaders have focused on upskilling and creating opportunities for women. Susana Rodriguez Puerta launched the ‘sAIdaty’ initiative in collaboration with the Dubai Business Women Council, aimed at providing 500 female council members in the UAE with AI skills. Similarly, Lamia Tazi of SOTHEMA collaborated with the Foundation for Research, Development, and Innovation in Science and Engineering to provide scholarships to PhD students from low-income backgrounds.

Click here for the full list.

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