Emirati Supplier programme secures AED 1.78bn in contracts for Emirati SMEs in 2025
Emirati Supplier programme secured AED 1.78bn in contracts for Emirati SMEs in 2025, up 38% year-on-year, as government purchases topped AED 1bn across UAE.
Dubai’s Emirati Supplier programme recorded a major milestone in 2025 by securing AED 1.78 billion in contracts for Emirati small and medium enterprises, marking a 38% increase from AED 1.29 billion in 2024. The programme, managed by the Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment for Small and Medium Enterprises Development, has intensified efforts to integrate Emirati companies into government and private sector supply chains. Officials say the outcome underscores Dubai’s push to empower homegrown businesses and advance the D33 economic agenda.
Emirati Supplier programme delivers record contracts in 2025
The programme registered AED 1.78 billion in total contracted value to Emirati suppliers during 2025, reflecting stronger demand across public and private purchasers. This performance represents a sizeable year-on-year jump and signals improved competitiveness among registered Emirati firms. Programme administrators attribute the rise to targeted sourcing initiatives, expanded partner engagement and a maturing SME ecosystem.
The initiative supported 1,070 Emirati-registered establishments through partnerships with more than 84 government, semi-government and private entities. Those partnerships opened procurement and supply opportunities across construction, health, logistics, retail and professional services. Programme leaders say continued collaboration will aim to broaden the range of scalable contracts available to Emirati businesses.
Government purchases surpass AED 1 billion for the first time
For the first time in the programme’s history, government entities in Dubai accounted for more than AED 1 billion of procurement awarded to Emirati suppliers. Government contracts reached AED 1.03 billion, representing 58% of the total value secured under the programme in 2025. Key contributors included major municipal and infrastructure agencies that leveraged the scheme to deepen local supplier participation in strategic projects.
Municipalities and public agencies cited in the procurement mix included Dubai Municipality, the Roads and Transport Authority, Dubai Police, Expo City Authority, and the Dubai Academic Health Corporation, among others. Officials said the broadening engagement by core public bodies indicates growing confidence in the capacity of Emirati SMEs to meet complex project requirements.
Semi-government and private sector contributions strengthen market access
Semi-government organisations contributed AED 420.5 million, or 24% of the total contracted value, backed by major group buyers in aviation, investment and services. Notable participants included large holding companies and national service providers that expanded supplier pipelines to include more Emirati-owned firms. The result reflects a strategic shift in procurement sourcing among quasi-government buyers.
Private sector participation reached AED 254.9 million, roughly 14% of total purchases, with retail and real estate firms among active partners. Leading retailers and developers worked alongside the programme to offer commercial supply opportunities, indicating rising private-sector trust in Emirati suppliers. Federal entities also increased their involvement, contributing AED 74.6 million, further diversifying demand sources.
Legal framework and procurement targets support sustained demand
The programme’s momentum is underpinned by Law No. 16 of 2016, which requires government and government-owned entities holding at least 25% public ownership to allocate 10% of their purchases to Emirati-registered companies. That statutory requirement continues to provide a predictable and sustainable source of business for local suppliers. Authorities say the legal framework, combined with active programme management, helps convert policy into measurable contracting outcomes.
Officials emphasised that predictable procurement quotas are only one element; complementary measures such as capacity-building, governance standards and matchmaking services are essential to maintain long-term supplier readiness. The Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment has focused on improving operational capabilities among registered firms to ensure they can win, deliver and scale on larger contracts.
Officials tie results to Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and national priorities
Senior leaders framed the programme’s 2025 results as aligned with Dubai’s D33 agenda, which targets economic diversification and growth through local enterprise development. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and Chairman of the Executive Council, praised the coordinated support from public and private partners and described backing Emirati SMEs as a national duty. He stressed the importance of creating an enabling environment where startups and small firms can grow into globally competitive companies.
Hilal Saeed Al Merri, Director General of Dubai Economy and Tourism, said the outcome reflects renewed confidence in Dubai’s business community and affirmed the government’s commitment to policies that translate ambition into measurable results. Ahmed Al Rom Al Muhairi, Acting CEO of the Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment, highlighted that the programme aims to equip Emirati businesses with governance standards, market access and operational capacity for sustainable participation.
Outlook: scaling Emirati SMEs and embedding supply-chain role
Programme managers say the 2025 performance sets a platform to deepen Emirati suppliers’ role in strategic supply chains over the coming years. Plans under consideration include expanded sector-specific support, enhanced procurement readiness programmes and targeted partnerships with large buyers to prepare businesses for higher-value contracts. The objective remains to convert local entrepreneurial capacity into long-term economic contribution in line with Dubai’s growth targets.
Sustained progress will depend on continued alignment between procurement policies, private sector demand and supplier capability development, officials noted. The Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment and partner entities signalled ongoing commitment to scale opportunities that help Emirati SMEs transition from small contracts to competitive participants in regional and global markets.
The record 2025 result marks a milestone for Dubai’s local-supplier strategy and establishes momentum for further expansion of Emirati business participation in public and private procurement.