By Desmond Nleya
The UAE has unveiled an ambitious plan to expand its entrepreneurial ecosystem, setting a target of two million registered companies and 10 unicorns by 2031, Minister of Economy and Tourism Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri announced.
Speaking at the launch of the national campaign “The Emirates: The Startup Capital of the World,” Al Marri emphasized that entrepreneurs are central to the nation’s growth strategy. Of the 1.2 million companies currently operating in the UAE, nearly one million are entrepreneur-owned—accounting for 94% of the total.
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) already play a dominant role, contributing 63.5% to the UAE’s non-oil GDP and representing 95% of all companies in the country. The new campaign aims to create an enabling environment for young innovators, fostering business expansion and global competitiveness.
The UAE has developed strategies across economic clusters, food security, innovation, intellectual property protection, and market openness under Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements. Al Marri noted that federal and local infrastructures are aligned to support this growth.
With five unicorns already established, the UAE aims to double that figure by 2031, reinforcing its position as a global hub for startups and innovation.
Source: Emirates News Agency
