Emirati Women Take Growing Leadership Roles in Dubai’s Rail Sector at Keolis MHI

Women account for 56% of Keolis MHI’s Emirati workforce as UAE national talent expands its presence across technical, operational and leadership roles in Dubai’s rail network.

Emirati women are taking on a growing role in Dubai’s rail sector, with Keolis MHI reporting increased representation of UAE national female talent across operations, engineering, asset management and leadership positions.

The company, which operates and maintains Dubai Metro and operates Dubai Tram, highlighted the progress as it marked Emirati Women’s Day 2026 with an event held on August 27 at the Al Shindagha Museum Visitor Centre in Dubai.

According to Keolis MHI, women currently represent 56% of its Emirati workforce, while 21% of senior leadership positions are held by Emirati women. More than 42 Emirati women have progressed into new technical, operational and managerial roles since the company began operations.

The figures illustrate a broader shift from workforce participation towards professional advancement and leadership within one of Dubai’s most important transport networks.

From Emiratisation to Career Development

Emiratisation has become an increasingly important component of workforce strategy across the UAE private sector, but the focus is progressively extending beyond recruitment targets to skills development, retention and career progression.

For rail operators, that transition has particular significance. Modern urban transport systems require expertise across engineering, safety, operations control, asset management, data, maintenance and customer experience.

Keolis MHI said Emirati women are increasingly contributing across these areas.

“At Keolis MHI, we are proud to be a leader in the rail sector, not only through our operational and management expertise, but also through our commitment to diversity, inclusion and the development of national talent. Emirati women bring invaluable perspectives, capabilities and leadership to our organisation.”

The comments were made by Shalini Taneja, Deputy Director, Human Resources at Keolis MHI, during the company’s Emirati Women’s Day event.

She said combining local knowledge and talent with international rail expertise can help Emirati women contribute to innovation and operational excellence in the UAE’s transport industry.

Keolis MHI’s workforce data also build on earlier initiatives focused on the development and promotion of UAE nationals. The company has previously reported that Emirati women represented 56% of its national workforce and 21% of senior leadership positions.

In March 2026, Keolis MHI reported that women of all nationalities accounted for approximately 28% of its overall workforce and 22% of senior leadership positions, with women increasingly participating in operational management, safety, engineering, data analysis, digital transformation and smart maintenance.

Technical Careers Become More Important

The participation of women in technical positions is particularly relevant as Dubai’s transport infrastructure becomes increasingly technology-driven.

Keolis MHI has reported employing dozens of women engineers across engineering and technical disciplines connected with the safe and efficient operation of Dubai’s rail network.

Developing national capabilities in these specialist fields could have longer-term importance for Dubai as the emirate continues investing in public transport, infrastructure and smart mobility.

The challenge for employers is therefore no longer simply increasing workforce representation. Creating structured pathways that allow employees to move from entry-level positions into specialist, managerial and executive roles is becoming an equally important measure of workforce development.

“These achievements provide an important context for Emirati Women’s Month. They demonstrate that empowerment becomes meaningful when it translates into skills, responsibility, career progression and leadership.”

Emirati Women’s Day Expands to Month-Long Programme

The Keolis MHI event coincides with a broader national focus on women’s participation in the UAE economy and society.

Emirati Women’s Day is traditionally observed on August 28. In 2026, the celebration has been expanded into a nationwide programme under the theme “We Emerge Stronger and Better.”

The initiative was announced by Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, the “Mother of the Nation”, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation.

According to Emirates News Agency (WAM), the programme recognises the achievements of Emirati women and supports initiatives aimed at strengthening their contribution to the UAE’s economic and social development.

Connecting National Talent With Global Rail Expertise

Keolis MHI Rail Management and Operation LLC is a consortium formed by Keolis, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Engineering and Mitsubishi Corporation.

The company took over responsibility for operating and maintaining Dubai Metro and operating Dubai Tram on September 8, 2021, under an agreement with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

This places workforce development within a wider transfer of international transport expertise to the UAE.

For Dubai’s rail sector, developing Emirati technical and managerial capabilities can support not only Emiratisation objectives but also longer-term operational resilience and institutional knowledge.

Keolis MHI’s latest workforce figures indicate that Emirati women are increasingly participating in that process — moving beyond representation into positions involving technical responsibility, operational decision-making and leadership.

As Dubai continues to expand the sophistication of its transport infrastructure, the development of locally based expertise is likely to remain an important component of the sector’s long-term growth.

Workforce transformation is also becoming increasingly connected with technology and AI adoption across the UAE economy. Read more on how AI is reshaping jobs and skills in the UAE.

Sources and Information

• Keolis MHI — press release provided to UAE-Business.com, August 28, 2026; company information and workforce data.
• Emirates News Agency (WAM) — information on Emirati Women’s Day 2026 and the national theme “We Emerge Stronger and Better.”
• Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) — information on Dubai Metro, Dubai Tram and Keolis MHI’s rail operations.

Image credit: Keolis MHI