Make in UAE 2026 opens at ADNEC with 1,245 exhibitors and a push to localise 5,000 products
Make in UAE 2026 opens at ADNEC with 1,245 exhibitors, targets 5,000 localized products and expects 120,000 visitors from May 4–7, 2026 and new platforms.
Make in UAE 2026 opens at ADNEC
Make in UAE 2026 officially opened at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) on May 4, 2026, positioning the event as the largest edition of the national industrial platform to date. The conference, promoted by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, brings together government, industry and investors to advance manufacturing capacity and sectoral resilience.
Organisers expect the four-day event to draw about 120,000 visitors from May 4–7, including ministers, investors, industrialists and innovators. The exhibition occupies 88,000 square metres and showcases products, manufacturing technologies and investment opportunities across priority industries.
Record exhibitor growth and visitor projections
This year’s platform features 1,245 exhibiting entities, marking a 73 percent increase in participation compared with 2025. The growth underscores rising investor confidence and a deliberate national push to scale up domestic manufacturing capabilities.
Small and medium enterprises, startups and entrepreneurs represent 61 percent of exhibitors, reflecting a focus on enterprise-led growth and early-stage firms gaining access to strategic procurement and partnerships. The event’s scale signals an expanding ecosystem for local suppliers and global partners.
New purchase localisation initiative targets 5,000 products
A central announcement at Make in UAE 2026 is a national purchasing initiative that aims to localise 5,000 products across sectors. The programme is designed to close the gap between domestic production and procurement demand by linking manufacturers with verified purchasing opportunities.
Ministry officials expect the initiative to increase national content by roughly four percent compared with 2025, while accelerating supplier access to government and enterprise contracts. Organisers say the move will stimulate local value chains and reduce reliance on imports in priority categories.
Ministry launches four integrated industrial platforms
The Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology unveiled four new platforms as part of the Make in UAE 2026 programme: a Startups Platform, a Quality Infrastructure Platform, a Smart Industries Forum and a House of Industry. These platforms are intended to deliver integrated support across finance, technology and market access.
The ecosystem aims to connect manufacturers, investors, technology providers and enablers under a single framework to fast-track deals and partnerships. Officials say the new platforms will help startups secure their first strategic contracts and assist established manufacturers in adopting global technologies.
Sectors in focus: advanced manufacturing to pharmaceuticals
Make in UAE 2026 highlights 12 priority industrial sectors, including advanced manufacturing, energy, aerospace and defence, pharmaceuticals, mobility and sustainable materials. The programming places particular emphasis on advanced manufacturing and industrial technology as levers for competitiveness.
Sessions and exhibits will explore supply chain resilience, quality infrastructure and the role of technology in scaling production. Industry leaders and technical experts are presenting solutions to modernise production lines and integrate digital manufacturing tools.
Interactive experiences and talent development offerings
For the first time, attendees can visit a series of interactive zones including a Museum of Industry, an Innovation Hub, a Startups Centre and a Quality Centre. These experiential areas are designed to showcase industrial achievements, applied technologies and the next generation of national talent.
Organisers say the interactive spaces will spotlight real-world case studies and provide hands-on demonstrations that link innovation to commercialisation. The programming also includes initiatives to develop national skills and prepare Emirati talent for advanced manufacturing roles.
Make in UAE 2026 is positioned as a national platform to translate industrial ambitions into tangible outcomes, from contracts and joint ventures to skills development and technology adoption. The event’s scale and the ministry’s new initiatives are intended to accelerate the UAE’s transition to a production-led economy and strengthen its role as a global industrial investment destination.