Page 146 - KHALIFA FUND PR REPORT - JULY 2025

7/4/25, 11:58 AM Abu Dhabi's SME Champions Program facilitates over 650 deals worth $183 million in 2024
government entities and institutions. As a result, the number of registered companies grew from 835 in
2023 to 2,235 in 2024, with the strategic partner count increasing to 20.

Since its inception, the Abu Dhabi SME Champions Program has focused on supporting and encouraging
SMEs to participate in supply chain opportunities by providing them with a robust platform for business
development.

The initiative has created new pathways for these companies to play an active role in private sector
projects, thus enhancing their contribution to GDP growth, diversifying economic resources and fostering
innovation within Abu Dhabi, in line with the UAE’s vision for a more sustainable and diverse economy.

Read: Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund launches new headquarters to boost government
innovation

Micro-enterprises represent over half of registered companies

The Abu Dhabi SME Champions Program also features awareness initiatives to educate SMEs on the
benefits of forging strategic alliances with both government and private sector entities. It also supports
efforts to classify companies, develop their skills and strengthen collaboration and partnership pathways
through relevant projects.

Micro-enterprises now represent over half of the registered companies, with approximately 20 percent of
them being eligible for deals with leading institutions across both public and private sectors.

“Led by Khalifa Fund’s ongoing efforts to promote entrepreneurship, the program has garnered significant
attention from Emirati entrepreneurs over the past two years, by paving the way for collaborations with
leading institutions. The program has conducted 13 bi-monthly training sessions to date, in collaboration
with at least nine partners, focusing on skill development for SMEs to meet market demands. This is a
remarkable milestone in building a sustainable and innovation-based economy, in line with the UAE’s
aspirations to become a leading knowledge-based and competitive economy,” added Al Nasri.

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