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

Champions Program Facilitates 650+ Deals Worth AED672m In 2024

By Editor_wr Last updated Jul 2, 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 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 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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