The United Arab Emirates has solidified its position as the world’s premier destination for entrepreneurship and small and medium enterprises (SMEs), securing the top spot in the 2024/25 Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) report for an unprecedented fourth straight year. Outperforming 56 global economies, the UAE dominated 11 of 13 critical indicators, including entrepreneurial finance, government policies, education integration and ease of market entry.
The report underscores the UAE’s business-friendly policies and competitive investment climate, driven by strategic initiatives like the USD 8.7 billion 'Projects of the 50' program and 100% foreign ownership allowances, which have spurred record foreign direct investment inflows. Her Excellency Alia bint Abdullah Al Mazrouei, Minister of State for Entrepreneurship in the UAE, attributed this milestone to the nation’s forward-thinking leadership, which has cultivated an integrated ecosystem supporting startups and SMEs.
The UAE’s entrepreneurial culture continues to thrive with 70% of residents seeing local business opportunities and 78% of entrepreneurs prioritising social and environmental impact alongside profitability. Over 80% of entrepreneurs plan to adopt digital technologies, reinforcing the nation’s smart economy ambitions. To see the full report, visit GEM's official website.