The Abu Dhabi Registration Authority (ADRA) has announced solid growth in the number of new and active economic licences for 2025 in the UAE capital which increased by 29% compared to the year before, with significant growth recorded across all regions of the emirate, economic sectors, and licence categories.
ADRA is the arm of Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) that was established for the development and regulation of the business sector.
This continued growth reflects Abu Dhabi’s ability to provide an investment-attractive, growth-supportive business environment, and highest international standards of transparency and governance, said ADRA in its statement.
ADRA data showed that last year, the renewed licences increased by 20%, while active licences rose by 13.5% compared to the year before.
This underscores the effectiveness of initiatives to facilitate business operations and promoting the wide-ranging opportunities offered by Abu Dhabi’s economy, it stated.
New economic licences recorded strong growth across different sectors and regions. Industrial licences increased by 20% in 2025, tourism by 10%, occupational by 122%, professional by 28%, commercial by 28%, and licences in agriculture, fishery, and livestock activities by 12%, compared to 2024. Geographically, economic licences increased by 29% in Al Ain, 16% in Al Dhafra, and 31% in Abu Dhabi City.
Mobdea - a licence designated for Emirati women to turn their creative passions into commercial endeavours - surged by 32% from 2,503 in 2024 to 3,306 last year, while freelancer licences grew from 2,065 in 2024 to 3,502 in 2025, marking a 70% increase.
New Tajer Abu Dhabi licences increased from 7,187 in 2024 to 8,901 in 2025, up 24%. 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.
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.
Mohamed Munif Al Mansoori, Director General of ADRA, said: "These figures is a testament to the strength and attractiveness of Abu Dhabi’s business sector. The significant growth across various indicators in 2025 was achieved from high bases in 2024 and the preceding years, which witnessed growing interest in establishing and expanding businesses in Abu Dhabi."
"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," he noted.
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.
"Commercial activity indicators during the past year highlight the sector’s vitality, with total promotional offers increasing by 8% and advertisements by 26%. 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," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
