Abu Dhabi Registration Authority issues 5,930 new economic licenses for Emirati business entrepreneurs

The Abu Dhabi Registration and Licensing Authority (Adra), the arm of the Department of Economic Development – Abu Dhabi for the development and regulation of the business sector, has issued 5,930 new economic licenses for Emirati entrepreneurs and women in a year, to rise to 21,115 licenses by the end of June 2025, which confirms the effectiveness of initiatives and efforts aimed at empowering Emirati women to enhance their contribution to accelerate growth and economic diversification.

The continuous increase in the number of economic licenses for Emirati women in Abu Dhabi comes to reflect the great role of women in the business sector, and the success of the initiatives of the Department of Economic Development-Abu Dhabi in compliance with the national policy of empowering women in the UAE 2023-2031, which was launched by Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, President of the General Women’s Union, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, Supreme President of the Family Development Foundation «Umm Al UAE), with the aim of enhancing the contribution of Emirati women In vital sectors.

“The high rates of issuing economic licenses for Emirati women explain the flexibility and vitality of our economy, and it also embodies the increasing confidence in our supportive strategy for business entrepreneurs, as part of our keenness to provide a motivational environment that enables Emirati women to be creative and effectively contribute to economic and social development.”

He added: «Emirati women are an essential pillar of our society’s growth and development, and today, the projects led by female entrepreneurs are a major engine for our economy, as new licenses of Emirati businesswomen and women make up 18% of the total economic licenses issued in Abu Dhabi in the period from July 2024 to the end of June 2025. We confirm our commitment to continuing our endeavors in order to provide an effective, transparent and supportive system for the business sector, to establish and practice business and achieve growth, while ensuring commitment to compliance criteria for legislation and organizational regulations, to promote investor confidence ».

During the period from July 2024 to the end of June 2025, the number of “creative” licenses reached 2,768 licenses, representing 46.6% of the total new licenses for Emirati pioneers and women businesswomen, which numbered 5,930 licenses. “Creative” allows the UAE citizens to convert their talents into projects in more than 50 economic activities without the need for a major headquarters, while facilitating the procedures for obtaining the license.

The number of licenses of the “Abu Dhabi merchant”, issued for Emirati businesswomen during the same period, reached 1,830 licenses, which constitutes 30% of the total new licenses for Emirati business entrepreneurs, and the number of regular economic licenses reached 788 licenses, and free professions 246 licenses, indicating that female citizens will benefit from the advantages of free professions license that allows professionals and expertise from citizens of the UAE and residents Practicing more than 100 economic activities at the lowest possible cost, which contributes to taking advantage of the extensive knowledge and experience of professionals, and accelerating the transformation towards the economy of knowledge and innovation.

The issuance of 39 farms licenses, and 12 industrial pioneers ’licenses for Emirati business pioneers diversifying economic activities in which Emirati business leaders operate and agree with the strategic goals of Abu Dhabi and the UAE, where the agricultural and industrial sectors constitute one of the most prominent fields to ensure the growth and diversification of the economy.