Page 188 - KHALIFA FUND PR REPORT - JULY 2025

7/3/25, 11:32 AM Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development’s Abu Dhabi SME Champions Program facilitates 650+ deals worth AED672m in 2024 - Mi…
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 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

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