Page 18 - KHALIFA FUND PR REPORT - JULY 2025

PRESS RELEASE

Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development’s Abu Dhabi

SME Champions Program facilitates 650+ deals worth

AED672m in 2024

Abu Dhabi, 02 July 2025: As part of the Abu Dhabi SME Champions Program, Khalifa
Fund for Enterprise Development has witnessed a significant growth in the number of deals

forged between SMEs and leading public and private institutions, achieving a total of 652
deals by 2024, with a total value of AED 672 million, across various key sectors such as

IT, consultancy, advertising and event management.

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