On April 24, the U.S.-Saudi Business Council and WEConnect International co-hosted a dynamic breakfast discussion at the Business Council’s Riyadh office, focused on expanding opportunities for Saudi female-owned businesses within national and global supply chains.
WEConnect International, founded 15 years ago, is a leading global nonprofit that identifies, educates, certifies, and connects women-owned businesses with major multinational buyers. Supporting buyers and suppliers based in over 135 countries, WEConnect International is now beginning to establish a stronger presence in Saudi Arabia—and the timing couldn’t be better.
At the event, senior executives from major global corporations active in Saudi Arabia, across sectors including financial services, information technology, marketing, workforce development, and construction, joined successful Saudi women entrepreneurs to discuss a shared vision: strengthening the role of Saudi female-owned small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in supply chains.
Participants explored how large buyers can do more work with women-owned SMEs by better understanding their short- and medium-term needs, offering access to procurement opportunities, and providing training that enhances their competitiveness. Discussions highlighted the tangible business benefits for both buyers and suppliers and showcased real-world examples of successful partnerships already taking root in the Kingdom.
The dialogue also recognized the unprecedented momentum created by Saudi Vision 2030, empowering women entrepreneurs to launch and scale businesses across all sectors. Participants agreed that now is the time to build stronger bridges between Saudi women-owned businesses and major buyers, thereby contributing to the Kingdom’s goals of economic diversification, job creation, and innovation.
Key action items from the discussion included:
- Identifying and connecting Saudi female-owned SMEs through entrepreneurship networks and industry events.
- Establishing virtual dialogues between buyers and sellers, particularly in high-growth sectors.
- Partnering on upcoming projects that offer immediate opportunities for collaboration.
Through its platform, WECommunity, WEConnect International supports over 20,000 women-owned businesses worldwide and collaborates with more than 200 major corporations—with a combined purchasing power exceeding $4 trillion—to integrate SMEs into their supply chains. The organization offers certification, capacity development programs, and direct connections to multinational buyers actively seeking innovative suppliers.
Participants agreed that by working together, we can contribute to a thriving ecosystem where Saudi women entrepreneurs are empowered to help drive the Kingdom’s next wave of economic success.
To learn more or get involved, please visit: www.weconnectinternational.org.
This dialogue is a testament to the U.S.-Saudi Business Council’s ongoing, 30+ year commitment to building long-term partnerships between U.S. and Saudi companies across all sectors and sizes.
