ADRA records 29% rise in new economic licences in Abu Dhabi

The Abu Dhabi Registration Authority (ADRA), the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development’s (ADDED) arm, said that the number of new economic licences during 2025 increased by 29 per cent compared to 2024.

In 2025, renewed licences increased by 20 per cent, and active licences rose by 13.5 per cent compared to 2024. This growth was supported by initiatives launched by ADRA, including updating the register of expired economic licences and expanding new economic activities to meet the needs of entrepreneurs and investors across various sectors, strengthening confidence in Abu Dhabi’s business ecosystem.

New economic licences recorded strong growth across different sectors and regions. Industrial licences increased by 20 per cent in 2025, tourism by 10 per cent, occupational by 122 per cent, professional by 28 per cent, and commercial by 28 per cent, and licences in agriculture, fishery, and livestock activities by 12 per cent, compared to 2024.

Geographically, economic licences increased by 29 per cent in Al Ain, 16 per cent in Al Dhafra, and 31 per cent in Abu Dhabi City.

Mohamed Munif Al Mansoori, Director-General of ADRA, said, “We reaffirm our commitment to doubling our efforts to meet investor needs, continuously improve the business sector, and support the attraction of local and international investments to capitalise on the opportunities offered by our dynamic economy and contribute to achieving Abu Dhabi’s strategic priorities.”

He added, “Reflecting the success of our initiatives to ensure full compliance of economic establishments in the emirate with local and federal legislation and international standards, as well as to enhance the competitiveness of Abu Dhabi’s economy, compliance with ‘Real beneficiary’ requirements continued to grow in 2025, with 53,701 declarations registered, an increase of 14 per cent compared to 47,261 declarations in 2024.”

Al Mansoori emphasised ADRA’s commitment to a data-driven approach, supported by in-depth studies and constructive dialogue with investors and stakeholders, as well as the adoption of advanced digital solutions to ensure the best possible environment for business growth and to enable entrepreneurs to benefit from the emirate’s diverse and dynamic economic capabilities.

He noted that the establishment of ADRA was part of Abu Dhabi’s strategy to accelerate economic growth and diversification by providing simplified procedures, advisory services, enhanced regulatory processes, and seamless access to Abu Dhabi’s thriving economic ecosystem.

“Commercial activity indicators during the past year highlight the sector’s vitality, with total promotional offers increasing by 8 per cent and advertisements by 26 per cent. Tajer Abu Dhabi (Abu Dhabi Trader), freelancer, and the ‘Mobdea’ licences continued to grow, confirming the importance of the initiatives launched in recent years to facilitate doing business and keep pace with major economic and technological transformations,” Al Mansoori said.

“Mobdea”, designated for Emirati women turn their creative passions into commercial endeavours, increased from 2,503 in 2024 to 3,306 in 2025, a 32 per cent rise.

Freelancer licences grew from 2,065 in 2024 to 3,502 in 2025, marking a 70 per cent increase. New Tajer Abu Dhabi licences increased from 7,187 in 2024 to 8,901 in 2025, up 24 per cent. Tajer Abu Dhabi licence enables entrepreneurs to start their businesses in more than 1,200 economic activities without needing a physical premises for the first three years.

In December 2025, the Abu Dhabi Registration Authority (ADRA), the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development’s (ADDED) arm overseeing the business sector, reported strong growth in agricultural, fisheries and livestock licences in the first nine months of 2025, driven by the emirate’s food security strategy and rising investor interest.

ADRA said 152 new licences were issued between January and September, up 29 percent from 118 in the same period last year. Active licences reached 1,425 by the end of the third quarter, a 13.5 percent increase from 1,255 a year earlier.

Agricultural, fisheries, and livestock licences issued in the Al Ain region accounted for the majority of licences, representing 61.8 percent of all new licences during the first nine months of 2025, and 63 percent of all active licences across the emirate of Abu Dhabi.

Al Ain issued 94 new agricultural licences during the period, bringing its total to 896. These businesses support food security in Abu Dhabi and the UAE, create jobs, and enhance economic growth.

The agricultural sector is one of the priority areas of ADDED’s integrated development plans for Al Ain, focusing on strengthening public-private partnerships, expanding opportunities, and developing talent in line with Abu Dhabi’s transition towards a smart, diversified, inclusive, and sustainable economy.

WAM