Khalifa Fund SME Loan Facility

Khalifa Fund SME Loan Facility

Funds Emirati entrepreneurs in Abu Dhabi with interest-free medium-term loans for business development and growth.

The Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development is the largest enterprise development entity in the UAE, established by the Abu Dhabi government to support Emirati entrepreneurship. Its core financial product is a suite of 13 distinct interest-free, medium-term loan products for Emirati entrepreneurs operating in Abu Dhabi and the Western Region. Products span from AED 500,000 for microfinance projects up to AED 3,000,000 for expansion-stage manufacturing businesses, with agricultural sub-funds carrying smaller ceilings (AED 150,000–AED 2,000,000) and Scale-Up working-capital products providing up to AED 1,000,000.

Applicants must be Emirati nationals aged 21 to 60 with an active business in Abu Dhabi. The Fund covers 80–90% of eligible project costs depending on the product; borrowers must contribute a minimum 10–20% in cash. Repayment periods range from 12 months (operating capital) to 84 months (expansion loan), with grace periods of 3 to 24 months depending on the product tier. All 13 products are accessed via the TAMM platform (the Abu Dhabi Government Services portal). This facility is a debt instrument carrying collateral and repayment obligations — it is not a non-dilutive grant.

Sectors eligible across the loan portfolio include healthcare, education, agriculture, ICT, tourism, and manufacturing. The Fund also offers post-disbursement services including top-up facilities, loan reallocation, and collateral release upon full repayment. For Emirati founders who meet age and residency requirements, the interest-free structure and long grace periods make this the primary financing route for business formation and expansion in Abu Dhabi, with no comparable product available through conventional UAE banks at comparable terms.