Khalifa Fund Expands Support for Emirati Entrepreneurs with New Financial Packages
Abu Dhabi, March 5, 2025 – The Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development (KFED) has announced the continuation and expansion of its financial support programs for Emirati entrepreneurs, introducing new funding packages to boost both emerging startups and established businesses across Abu Dhabi’s priority sectors.
KFED remains open to applications for medium- and long-term loans, designed to support innovative business ventures while reinforcing the small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) ecosystem in key industries such as healthcare, education, agricultural technology, IT, communications, tourism, and industrial innovation.
New Funding Programs
The Startup Funding Programme offers up to 80% coverage of total project establishment costs, with favorable repayment terms of up to 84 months and a grace period of up to 24 months. This initiative is aimed at helping new businesses launch with strong financial backing and sustainable growth prospects.
Meanwhile, the Scale-up Funding Programme is tailored for existing, successful SMEs looking to expand operations. Entrepreneurs can receive loans covering up to 80% of total expansion costs, ensuring long-term stability and competitive growth in the market.
Commitment to Economic Diversification
Mouza Obaid Al Nasri, Acting CEO of KFED, emphasized the fund’s dedication to fostering entrepreneurship, saying:"We are committed to empowering entrepreneurship within the community and contributing to the establishment of a more diverse and sustainable economic model. Through this move, we seek to design financial solutions that broaden our support for projects, especially SMEs, which serve as a key pillar for attracting investments and boosting the competitiveness of the national economy."
Driving Business Growth and Job Creation
The KFED funding programs serve as critical tools for supporting startups, ensuring economic sustainability while diversifying income sources and generating employment opportunities. Entrepreneurs benefit from long-term, easy-to-manage financial solutions, providing flexibility in managing financial commitments.
In 2024, KFED provided entrepreneurship training to 5,658 participants, alongside group consulting sessions for 613 individuals, offering expert guidance to help entrepreneurs transform ambitious ideas into thriving businesses.
With these enhanced funding programs, KFED reaffirms its role as a key enabler of economic innovation and enterprise development in Abu Dhabi, further strengthening the UAE’s position as a global hub for entrepreneurship.