Lebanese Entrepreneur Omar Itani Honoured at World Economic Forum 2026

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Davos, Switzerland – January 2026 – Lebanese social entrepreneur Omar Itani, co-founder of FabricAID, has been honoured as one of the Social Entrepreneurs and Innovators of the Year by the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos. Lebanese Entrepreneur Omar Itani Honoured

The recognition places Itani among a global group of changemakers redefining how business models can address social and economic challenges while remaining financially sustainable.

FabricAID: Blending Dignity, Sustainability, and Impact

Founded with the mission of tackling poverty through innovative retail solutions, FabricAID collects, sanitises, and resells second-hand clothing at affordable prices. Unlike traditional aid models, the organisation focuses on restoring dignity by enabling underserved communities to purchase high-quality clothing rather than receive donations.

To date, FabricAID has:

• Sold over 1 million clothing items

• Reached more than 200,000 beneficiaries

• Built a scalable model that combines circular economy principles with social impact

The enterprise is now preparing for expansion into the Egyptian market, marking a significant step in its regional growth strategy.

Global Spotlight on Social Entrepreneurship

The Schwab Foundation’s recognition at Davos underscores the growing importance of social entrepreneurship as a driver of inclusive economic growth. As global leaders gather to discuss the future of capitalism, initiatives like FabricAID demonstrate how purpose-driven businesses can address systemic issues such as poverty, waste reduction, and inequality.

For corporate leaders, investors, and policymakers, Itani’s recognition signals a broader shift toward impact-led innovation—where profitability and positive social outcomes coexist.

Why This Matters for Business Leaders

As sustainability, ESG, and social impact become central to corporate strategy, models like FabricAID offer valuable lessons in:

• Scalable impact-driven business design

• Circular economy implementation

• Community-centric growth strategies

The honour reflects a global consensus: the future of business lies not only in financial performance, but in measurable social value.