Sanaa Wahman, the Executive Director of both AWR Mobility and AWR Trading, part of the Abdul Wahid Al Rostamani Group, emphasized that the transportation sector in the UAE is undergoing a significant transformation that reflects a strategic commitment to establishing a sustainable and smart transportation system. In 2024, numerous initiatives emerged to enhance the adoption of advanced technologies in mobility, including self-driving vehicles being tested at the Abu Dhabi self-driving races and smart buses operating in Masdar City, utilizing an infrastructure equipped with sophisticated sensors.
She noted that this transformation will accelerate in 2025, particularly with the establishment of the SAVI Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Complex in Masdar City, which lays a strong foundation for land, air, and maritime transport innovations. This expansion encompasses not only technology but also the development of vehicle rental and shared use systems, thereby enhancing urban mobility flexibility and reducing reliance on individual ownership.
Wahman confirmed that the UAE is confidently advancing towards a low-emission and smarter transportation future, driven by a clear government vision aiming to have 50% of vehicles electric by 2050. The nation is also bolstering partnerships between the public and private sectors to develop electric charging infrastructure and expand digital transportation services, offering flexible, economical, and environmentally friendly solutions that meet the needs of individuals and businesses alike.
She highlighted that digital transformation is reshaping the mobility sector in the UAE through solutions based on artificial intelligence, machine learning, and big data analytics. Modern technologies such as smart in-vehicle assistants, over-the-air software updates, and adaptive navigation systems have become essential components of the mobility experience.
According to her, this digital integration extends beyond vehicles to include fleet management, enabling companies to optimize vehicle utilization and provide flexible services that cater to the needs of both individuals and businesses. Innovative rental solutions are expected to play a crucial role in achieving sustainability by reducing the number of owned vehicles and enhancing urban transportation efficiency.
Wahman asserted that the automotive industry in the UAE is undergoing a qualitative change that is not limited to technological advancements but also opens wide avenues for innovation and strategic partnerships. The state’s mobility sector is evolving to include new usage patterns, particularly smart rentals and vehicle sharing. She noted that demand is driven not only by convenience but also by cost efficiency and sustainability. Electric rental vehicles can offer up to 40% savings in operational costs compared to traditional vehicles, along with governmental incentives and fee exemptions, making them a practical and environmentally friendly option.
Regarding the leadership’s support for women in business sectors, she explained that the genuine backing provided to women in the UAE is evident not only in public policies but also in everyday practices within workplaces. The decisions that allow women to assume leadership roles and influence are a testament that empowering women is more than mere slogans or articles—it is an integral part of a comprehensive national vision. The wise leadership has focused on establishing the principle of equality of opportunities and creating a work environment that nurtures women’s ambitions and supports their active contributions, allowing them to participate in decision-making and see their ideas turned into tangible projects. This makes the experience of Emirati women in various sectors an inspiring model both regionally and internationally.
She added that based on this principle, they launched the “I CAN WOW” program, which emphasizes mental health and open communication within the work environment at AWR Mobility Services. Through this initiative, she made a real difference in the workplace, as its role extended beyond supporting mental health to fostering a culture of dialogue and understanding, contributing to a more inclusive and empowering environment. Discussions about women’s empowerment often revolve around the pay gap or work-life balance; however, true empowerment means providing everyone with equal opportunities for success. The team encourages mentoring and strives to create an environment where everyone feels comfortable expressing their opinions, especially when facing any type of bias.
In her perspective, women should not view their presence in male-dominated fields as a barrier. When she entered a meeting room filled with men early in her career, she saw a challenge to overcome, and through experience, she learned that doubts we face are the same that anyone can encounter, and they can be transcended and transformed into positive experiences.
Reflecting on her journey, she mentioned that one of the greatest challenges she faced was working in a male-dominated sector like automotive and mobility. As of 2025, women still make up only about 24% of the global workforce in this sector, a percentage that has remained relatively unchanged in recent years, according to reports from companies like Deloitte. The challenge was not only the lack of representation but was compounded by a noticeable decline in formal support and career mentoring programs for women, which dropped from 24% in 2022 to just 16% in 2024, according to studies by McKinsey. Despite global challenges, working within an empowering system such as that provided by the UAE opens wide avenues for women’s growth and development.
However, at times, the abundance of options and opportunities can become a challenge in itself, requiring clarity of vision and goal to select the best path and make a real impact. Therefore, in her leadership role, she works to empower women—and all team members—guiding them to leverage this diverse range of opportunities in alignment with their goals by training them on what she personally applied in her early career: prioritization. Prioritization means having a clear vision, and clarity of vision translates into directing goals and committing to a defined and effective pathway.
She remarked that the true value of the opportunities available in the UAE lies not only in providing supportive infrastructure but also in reflecting a clear national vision that believes in human potential and creates an environment conducive to its growth and prosperity. From this environment, she realized early on that success is not achieved merely by individual effort but begins with clearly defining priorities, which makes understanding the market and its mechanisms more effective. Success requires a deep understanding of how the sector operates, a genuine commitment to learning its technical details, and building professional relationships based on support and trust.
Additionally, she noted that the presence of women in a competitive field like the automotive and mobility sector in the UAE exemplifies the nation’s forward-thinking approach to empowering women and enhancing their roles in vital sectors, including those traditionally viewed as male-dominated. Emirati women have demonstrated their capabilities in engineering, design, and smart technologies, along with their leadership roles in marketing, management, and supply chains, reflecting a genuine shift towards a work environment that values competence and supports diversity. This transformation has not occurred by chance; it is the result of a strategic commitment by the state to activate women’s participation in comprehensive economic development, clearly evident in various initiatives, including the UAE Gender Balance Council, which ensures women’s representation in all policies and boards and presents innovative initiatives and projects that contribute to achieving gender balance, making the UAE a model in this regard.