February 23, 2026
Methodology About Newsletter
WE THE UAE 2031
The Vanderbilt Terminal for the UAE's National Transformation
INDEPENDENT GLOBAL INTELLIGENCE FOR THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
UAE GDP: AED 2.03T ▲ 5.7% | Non-Oil GDP Share: 84.3% ▼ -5.2pp | FDI Inflows: $45.6B ▲ 48.7% | GDP Growth: 4.0% ▲ -0.3pp vs 2023 | Inflation: 1.7% ▼ +0.0pp vs 2023 | Female Participation: 55.1% ▲ +0.6pp vs 2023 | Population: 11.0M ▲ 4.8% | Emiratisation Rate: 12.5% ▲ 2.1pp | Global Competitiveness: #7 ▲ 3 places | Clean Energy Capacity: 7.2 GW ▲ 18.4% | ADX Index: 9,842 ▲ 4.7% | DFM Index: 4,621 ▲ 6.2% | UAE GDP: AED 2.03T ▲ 5.7% | Non-Oil GDP Share: 84.3% ▼ -5.2pp | FDI Inflows: $45.6B ▲ 48.7% | GDP Growth: 4.0% ▲ -0.3pp vs 2023 | Inflation: 1.7% ▼ +0.0pp vs 2023 | Female Participation: 55.1% ▲ +0.6pp vs 2023 | Population: 11.0M ▲ 4.8% | Emiratisation Rate: 12.5% ▲ 2.1pp | Global Competitiveness: #7 ▲ 3 places | Clean Energy Capacity: 7.2 GW ▲ 18.4% | ADX Index: 9,842 ▲ 4.7% | DFM Index: 4,621 ▲ 6.2% |

Definition

KIZAD — Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi — is an integrated industrial and logistics free zone located in the Taweelah area between Abu Dhabi and Dubai. It is directly connected to Khalifa Port, the UAE’s flagship semi-automated deep-water port, and serves as a purpose-built platform for manufacturing, warehousing, distribution, and trade operations. KIZAD is operated by Abu Dhabi Ports Group (AD Ports Group) and offers the standard free zone benefits of 100 percent foreign ownership, full profit repatriation, and customs duty exemptions.

UAE Context

KIZAD was launched in 2010 and spans over 410 square kilometres, making it one of the largest industrial zones in the Middle East. The zone is designed around industry-specific clusters including metals and fabrication, polymers, food processing, pharmaceuticals, e-commerce logistics, and automotive. Its direct adjacency to Khalifa Port provides tenants with integrated sea-air-road connectivity. KIZAD is a cornerstone of Abu Dhabi’s industrial strategy and plays a central role in the UAE’s broader Operation 300bn programme, which targets manufacturing output of AED 300 billion by 2031.

Key Data

KIZAD hosts more than 800 companies from over 40 countries and has attracted total investment commitments exceeding AED 100 billion. The zone accounts for a significant share of Abu Dhabi’s non-oil industrial output. Key anchor tenants include Emirates Steel Arkan (one of the region’s largest steel producers), Al Gharbia Pipe Company, and major food processing and logistics operators. KIZAD’s expansion phases are adding capacity for advanced manufacturing and cleantech industries.

Vision 2031 Significance

KIZAD is a physical manifestation of the UAE’s industrial diversification strategy. By concentrating manufacturing activity in a zone with world-class infrastructure, streamlined regulation, and port connectivity, it directly supports the Operation 300bn target and the broader Vision 2031 objective of building a knowledge-based, export-oriented industrial sector.

  • Khalifa Port — The deep-water port directly connected to KIZAD.
  • Operation 300bn — The national industrial strategy that KIZAD supports.
  • AD Ports Group — The operator and developer of KIZAD.
  • Free Zones — The regulatory framework under which KIZAD operates.