Khalifa Fund · Government SME fund
Khalifa Fund programmes
Abu Dhabi government fund — financing programmes, grants and support for Emirati-owned SMEs; not a commercial lender.
Is Khalifa Fund programmes worth it?
- free-zone companies: Khalifa Fund programmes onboards free-zone entities on its published criteria.
Eligibility
- Not suitable for
- non-Emirati founders — Khalifa Fund programmes are designed for UAE-nation-owned enterprises in Abu Dhabi. Companies wanting fast commercial credit on market terms
Business operations
- Free-zone companies
- Yes
Details
- Programme type
- Government development fund — loans, grants, incubation
- Eligibility
- Primarily Emirati-owned SMEs — check programme criteria
- Best for
- UAE-national founders in Abu Dhabi
Documents you'll typically need
- Trade licence and Memorandum of Association
- 6–12 months of business bank statements
- Filed VAT returns and latest financial statements
- Invoices or contracts evidencing revenue (for invoice and revenue-based products)
Typical pack for this category — the provider confirms the exact list on application.
Programme scope per Khalifa Fund public material, Oct 2026; eligibility rules apply per programme.
Verified answers
What is Khalifa Fund?
Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development (KFED) is an Abu Dhabi government entity supporting SME growth — the site cites AED 1.3+ billion deployed across its programmes.
Source: khalifafund.ae · verified
How does Khalifa Fund help with financing?
Its financing-gap programme simplifies opening business bank accounts and improves SME access to credit and funding solutions for working capital and long-term investment, through partnerships with financial institutions.
Source: khalifafund.ae · verified
What is the Khalifa Fund ICV Readiness Program?
The ICV Readiness Program prepares businesses to obtain In-Country Value certification — a government initiative supporting localization of supply chains that lets certified SMEs participate in government procurement.
Source: khalifafund.ae · verified
Does Khalifa Fund support young entrepreneurs?
Yes — the Young Entrepreneurship Program (2026 summer cohort) equips young Emiratis with entrepreneurial knowledge, financial literacy and future-ready business skills, alongside broader capability-building tracks.
Source: khalifafund.ae · verified
Frequently asked questions
Is Khalifa Fund programmes worth it for free-zone companies?
Yes — Khalifa Fund programmes onboards free-zone entities on its published criteria.