Business

The Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, through its flagship initiative, the Abu Dhabi SME Champions Program, has successfully facilitated over 652 business deals in 2024 with a total value of AED 672 million, marking a major milestone in its mission to empower small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across the emirate.

Launched in 2023 by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), the program aims to enhance procurement access for SMEs by connecting them with leading government and private sector entities. The initiative focuses on increasing local SME participation in high-value sectors such as information technology, consultancy, advertising, and event management.

The number of registered SMEs in the program rose from 835 in 2023 to 2,235 in 2024, while the number of strategic partners grew to 20. The program provides a robust platform to support SMEs through supply chain integration, directly contributing to GDP growth, economic diversification, and innovation, aligning with the UAE’s long-term vision for a sustainable and knowledge-based economy.

Empowering SMEs Through Partnerships and Training

The program features strategic initiatives aimed at educating SMEs about the benefits of forming alliances with major institutions. It also supports company classification, skills development, and targeted collaborations to ensure SMEs are equipped to meet evolving market demands.

Micro-enterprises now represent more than 50% of registered businesses, with approximately 20% qualifying for contracts with leading public and private organizations.

H.E. Mouza Al Nasri, CEO of Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, emphasized the significance of the program, stating:

“The Abu Dhabi SME Champions Program acts as a bridge connecting SMEs with leading institutions and government entities. This helps enhance productivity and innovation within this vital business category, which is a cornerstone of the national economy. SMEs play a pivotal role in catalyzing Abu Dhabi’s sustainable growth, in alignment with the UAE’s broader economic vision.”

She added that the Khalifa Fund has conducted 13 bi-monthly training sessions in collaboration with nine partners to help SMEs build capabilities that meet sector-specific demands, thus fostering an ecosystem of sustainable entrepreneurship.

Widespread Institutional Participation

Key public and private sector participants in the program include:

• Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi

• Department of Government Enablement – Abu Dhabi

• Department of Finance

• Abu Dhabi Investment Office

• Family Development Foundation

• Early Childhood Authority

• AD Ports Group

• Miral Group

• E&, Aldar Properties, Etihad Airways,

• EMSTEEL Group, Emirates Development Bank, Agthia Group,

• Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), Mubadala, Masdar City,

• Industrial Capital Group (ICG), and United Copper Rods LLC (UCR).

Through strategic collaboration, skill-building, and access to procurement channels, the SME Champions Program is shaping a dynamic and resilient SME ecosystem that is poised to play a central role in Abu Dhabi’s economic transformation.

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