Page 156 - KHALIFA FUND PR REPORT - JULY 2025

7/3/25, 11:27 AM Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development’s Abu Dhabi SME Champions Programme facilitates 650+ deals worth AED672m in 2024 -…

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 programme has been 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.

The programme 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 per cent of them being

eligible for deals with leading institutions across both public and private sectors.

Mouza Al Nasri, Acting CEO of Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, said: “The Abu Dhabi SME Champions

Program acts as a bridge connecting SMEs in Abu Dhabi with leading institutions and government entities. This helps
enhance the productivity and innovation within this vital business category, which is a cornerstone of the national

economy. SMEs further play a pivotal role in catalysing Abu Dhabi’s sustainable growth, aligning with the UAE’s

broader vision for economic development.

“Led by Khalifa Fund’s ongoing efforts to promote entrepreneurship, the programme has garnered significant attention

from Emirati entrepreneurs over the past two years, by paving the way for collaborations with leading institutions. The
programme 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."

The programme’s key participants include the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism, Department of Finance,

Abu Dhabi Investment Office, Family Development Foundation, Early Childhood Authority, Abu Dhabi Projects and

infrastructure, Department of Government Enablement – Abu Dhabi, Ministry of industry and Advanced Technology,
Etihad Airways, EMSTEEL Group, Aldar Properties, E&, Industrial Capital Group (ICG), AD Ports Group, Miral Group,

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