ع
Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development conducted a comprehensive evaluation of its financing approach, guided by its institutional strategy and global best practices, according to an announcement distributed by the Emirates News Agency. The review incorporated benchmarking of existing programmes, an analysis of solutions offered across the banking and financial sectors, and direct input from entrepreneurs and SMEs gathered through surveys and workshops. This process identified key financing gaps and market requirements, enabling the fund to align new offerings more closely with the actual needs of Emirati enterprises and Abu Dhabi’s economic priorities.
Mouza Obaid Al Nasri, CEO of Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, said in the announcement that enhancing the financing ecosystem represents a major shift in the fund’s strategy. Al Nasri added, “It underscores our determination to keep pace with the rapid transformations within the SME sector, develop more flexible and impactful solutions, and actively support national priorities.” The CEO further noted that the goal is to strengthen the UAE economy, diversify its resources, and ensure its readiness for the future, with solutions linked more directly to economic impact and sustainable development.
The updated framework includes the First-time Founders Loan, which provides essential capital for Emiratis launching new ventures and helps establish stronger financial foundations from the outset. An AI & Robotics Loan promotes adoption of advanced technologies to improve operational efficiency, accelerate digital transformation, and boost competitiveness in priority sectors. These programmes form part of a broader set of pathways that address innovation, startup financing gaps, business expansion, cash flow management, and tailored support across enterprise growth stages.
Additional offerings comprise the Revolving Loan, which allows enterprises to draw funds as required and reuse limits after repayment to better manage working capital and maintain business continuity. The ecosystem also features the Small Loan, Working Capital Loan, Fixed Assets Loan, and Expansion Loan, each with criteria, eligibility rules, repayment terms, and limits matched to the enterprise type and development phase, the fund said in the announcement. This structure enables entrepreneurs to select the option best suited to their specific business requirements.
The initiative builds on the fund’s earlier work, including the SME Finance Facilitator Program that partners with financial institutions to simplify bank account opening and improve access to credit for working capital and investment needs, according to the Khalifa Fund website. A March 2025 announcement on the same site stated that the fund’s programmes can provide financing of up to 80 per cent for SMEs in priority sectors. The Ministry of Economy has previously reported that the fund had activated loans totaling 1.32 billion AED as of 2019 while conducting more than 900 workshops to promote entrepreneurship.
Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development continues to position itself as a central supporter of the UAE’s entrepreneurial ecosystem through these measures, which emphasise flexible, impact-oriented financing without altering underlying eligibility standards for participants. The announcement highlighted that each programme includes distinct features to match varying operational demands and growth trajectories of supported businesses.
