From big investments in manufacturing to advancements in artificial intelligence and fintech innovations targeting small businesses, the country’s market is buzzing with activity. Here are a few key developments.
Adnoc and partners invest $816 Mn to boost manufacturing
One of the most significant moves is ADNOC and its supply chain partners committing AED 3 billion (about $816 million) towards manufacturing facilities across the UAE. These investments will support over 3,500 private sector jobs and produce a range of industrial goods, including pressure vessels, pipe coatings, and fasteners.
The facilities are spread across key industrial zones such as the Industrial City of Abu Dhabi (ICAD), Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi (KEZAD), and others in Dubai, Sharjah, and Umm Al Quwain. This effort aligns with ADNOC’s “Make it in the Emirates” initiative and the In-Country Value (ICV) program, which has pumped AED 242 billion into the local economy and created 17,000 private sector jobs for UAE nationals since 2018.
ADNOC’s goal is to locally manufacture AED 90 billion (about $24.5 billion) worth of products by 2030, helping diversify the economy beyond oil and gas.
$15 million funding powers Arabic.ai expansion
In the tech space, Tarjama&, a UAE-based language solutions company, has raised $15 million in Series A funding to expand its Arabic.AI platform. This AI ecosystem is designed specifically for Arabic language tasks across sectors such as government, healthcare, finance, and media.
Built on the Arabic-first large language model called Pronoia V2, the platform outperforms global AI models on Arabic business language tasks. This is significant because Arabic language processing in AI has traditionally lagged behind English and other major languages, creating a gap in enterprise AI capabilities.
The funding led by Global Ventures will help Tarjama& scale its operations, grow its research teams, and launch an AI Academy to train hundreds of enterprise and government leaders.
The company has also reported a healthy 20% compound annual growth rate in revenue over the past three years while remaining profitable, an impressive feat for an AI startup.
Gainz fintech closes pre-seed round to solve $200b SME financing gap
Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the MENA region face a huge financing gap estimated at over $200 billion. Gainz, a UAE fintech startup, is addressing this challenge with a Shariah-compliant crowdfunding platform that allows retail investors to provide working capital to SMEs.
Founded in late 2024 by Egyptian entrepreneurs Shehab Mokhtar and Sherif Abdelaty, Gainz recently closed a seven-figure pre-seed funding round led by Antler MENAP and other investors. The platform uses AI underwriting and digital onboarding to speed up funding, enabling SMEs to raise capital in days rather than months.
By offering entry points as low as $500, Gainz makes private credit accessible to individuals, turning it into a new asset class for many retail investors.
Since launching its MVP, Gainz has funded seven deals in Q2 2025, disbursing nearly $400,000 in loans.
UAE’s $3.7 billion tech economy shines at Gitex Europe
UAE’s thriving technology sector took centre stage at the inaugural GITEX EUROPE x Ai Everything event in Berlin this May. With more than 65 UAE organisations present, the country showcased innovations across AI, smart city solutions, aerospace, and digital government services.
The UAE’s IT services market is forecast to reach $3.76 billion in 2025, driven by rapid adoption of AI and digital transformation projects in both public and private sectors.
Highlights included AI-powered platforms that streamline visa services, autonomous policing vehicles, and advanced data analytics solutions. The event also featured high-level talks and bilateral meetings to boost partnerships between the UAE and European tech hubs.
This event underlined the UAE’s ambitions to be a global hub for technology and innovation beyond its traditional sectors.
Final thoughts
The UAE market news paints a picture of a country investing heavily in future-ready industries. With $816 million dedicated to manufacturing, $15 million fueling AI for Arabic business tasks, $3.7 billion tech market growth, and fintech innovation closing multi-billion dollar financing gaps, the UAE is setting itself up for sustainable growth and diversification.
Staying informed about these trends not only helps understand the broader economic shifts but also reveals new opportunities for investors and entrepreneurs looking to tap into the region’s fast-changing market.
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