Page 173 - KHALIFA FUND PR REPORT - JULY 2025

7/3/25, 11:30 AM Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development's Abu Dhabi SME Champions Program facilitates 650+ deals worth AED672m in 2024

The initiative was launched in 2023 by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic
Development to increase the share of procurement opportunities allocated to SMEs
by major private companies as well as 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 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.

H.E. 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

https://www.abudhabipr.com/m/pr.asp?pr=57906334 2/3