Page 167 - KHALIFA FUND PR REPORT - JULY 2025

7/3/25, 11:29 AM Abu Dhabi SME Champions Program delivers $183m in deals, boosts procurement opportunities - Arabian Business: Latest News o…

The initiative, launched in 2023 by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development,

connects SMEs with leading public and private sector institutions.

As a result, the number of registered companies jumped from 835 in 2023 to 2,235 in
2024, while the number of strategic partners rose to 20.

Abu Dhabi SME Champions Program

AED 672m ($183m) in total procurement value across sectors like IT, consultancy,

advertising, and event management
652 deals between SMEs and institutions completed since launch

Micro-enterprises now make up more than 50 per cent of registered firms
20 per cent of these are eligible to work with major public and private organisations

13 SME training sessions held in partnership with nine entities

Mouza Al Nasri, 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.”

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