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Canva is staging the first stop of its World Tour in the Middle East on October 26 at Creators HQ in Emirates Towers, according to an announcement from the visual communications platform. The free event targets founders, marketers and teams from small and medium-sized enterprises that secure approval, offering hands-on sessions to create content, strengthen brands and improve customer outreach. The gathering marks the beginning of a broader series of Canva activities planned across the MENA region as the company seeks to expand its footprint following its earlier decision to base regional operations in the UAE. In the UAE alone, users publish more than five million designs on the platform each month, a level of engagement that underscores the demand for accessible creative tools among local businesses and professionals.
The initiative aligns with Canva’s wider global World Tour launched the previous year, which sought to deliver design education to one million learners through workshops, community events and online certifications across more than 40 cities on five continents. That 2025 effort featured more than 250 workshops and community-led sessions, many tailored to local languages and priorities in regions spanning Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific. Canva’s latest regional push continues that momentum by emphasising practical AI integration for commercial users who often lack dedicated design resources. The company has positioned the Dubai event as an entry point for SMEs to gain immediate skills that translate into measurable improvements in marketing materials and operational efficiency.
Ahmad Iqbal, general manager for the Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan at Canva, said in the announcement, “Our focus is empowering SMEs across MENA with the skills and AI tools to bring their ideas to life.” He added that the World Tour format merges the platform’s tools and Design School curriculum with opportunities for participants to apply concepts during the session itself. Iqbal noted that such direct learning experiences help businesses overcome common barriers to professional visual communication without requiring large in-house creative teams. The approach reflects Canva’s broader strategy of democratising design capabilities for smaller organisations operating in competitive markets.
As part of the regional tour, Canva aims to train more than 3,000 people across the UAE by the end of November 2026 through a mix of in-person workshops and digital learning modules. Those unable to attend the Dubai event can enrol in free, self-paced courses available in English via Canva Design School, where they may also earn formal certifications upon completion. The dual format ensures wider accessibility while maintaining the quality of instruction that has driven adoption in other markets. Organisers expect the combination of live and online components to sustain engagement well beyond the initial gathering.
The Dubai debut builds directly on Canva’s establishment of its regional headquarters in the emirate, formalised through an agreement with the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy during the World Governments Summit in February 2026. Under that pact, the company committed to supporting 250,000 SMEs and individual creators in the digital sector over the next five years, a target aligned with UAE national priorities for digital transformation and artificial intelligence. Emirates News Agency figures from the time showed that more than 54 million designs were created on Canva in the UAE during 2025, with roughly one in eight internet users already active on the platform. The headquarters move has enabled closer collaboration with local authorities and business communities to customise training and support programmes.
Canva’s expansion into dedicated MENA programming arrives as SMEs across the region increasingly rely on visual content to differentiate themselves in digital marketplaces. The platform’s suite of AI-enhanced features allows rapid production of marketing assets, social media graphics and presentation materials that once required specialist software or agencies. Event participants will receive guidance on leveraging these capabilities within their specific industry contexts, from retail to professional services. This practical emphasis distinguishes the World Tour from generic technology conferences by focusing on immediate, measurable outcomes for attendees.
Further sessions are scheduled to follow the Dubai launch as Canva rolls out its tour across additional MENA locations, though specific dates and venues remain under development. The company continues to invite eligible SMEs to apply for complimentary places at the inaugural event, with approval based on business scale and potential to benefit from the training. Interest has been strong in light of the platform’s established user base and the growing recognition of design as a competitive advantage. Canva has indicated that feedback from the Dubai gathering will help shape subsequent stops to ensure relevance to local market conditions.
