The Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy has announced a landmark agreement with global design software giant Canva to establish the company’s regional headquarters in Dubai. The partnership, signed during the World Governments Summit, aims to support 250,000 digital small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and individual entrepreneurs over the next five years, aligning with the UAE’s national strategies for digital transformation and artificial intelligence.
The agreement was signed by Saeed Al Gergawi, Vice President of the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, and Cliff Obrecht, Co-founder and COO of Canva, in the presence of H.E. Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, and Chairman of the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy.
A Strategic Partnership For Digital Growth
Under the terms of the agreement, the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy will facilitate the establishment of Canva’s regional headquarters, supporting the company’s expansion across local and regional markets. This move underscores Dubai’s commitment to fostering a comprehensive digital ecosystem and reinforces its position as a global innovation hub and a preferred destination for leading international technology firms.
As part of the collaboration, Canva will grant newly established SMEs in Dubai and the UAE access to advanced service packages on its visual communication platform. This initiative will provide startups with powerful design, productivity, and innovation tools, enabling them to enhance their digital presence and streamline content creation without requiring specialized design expertise.
Dubai’s Growing Appeal As A Global Tech Hub
The UAE is a significant market for Canva, with one in every eight internet users in the country actively using the platform. In the past year alone, over 54 million designs were created in the UAE, highlighting the strong regional demand for accessible creative tools.
H.E. Omar Sultan Al Olama commented on the partnership, stating, “Dubai continues to solidify its position as a global hub for technology companies and digital innovation, thanks to its flexible business environment and advanced infrastructure. We are committed to providing the platforms and tools that enable companies to grow and expand in Dubai, especially in creative sectors that rely on AI and advanced solutions. This agreement with Canva aims to enhance the capabilities of SMEs and support their development within Dubai’s advanced digital economy.”
Cliff Obrecht, Co-founder and COO of Canva, added, “Dubai is home to millions of people who build and create on a large scale, and this collaboration reflects our shared belief in the power of creativity and technology. Establishing our regional headquarters here allows us to work more closely with the businesses, institutions, and creators across the region, empowering them to bring their ideas to life with Canva’s suite of tools. We are excited to contribute to Dubai’s achievements.”
About Canva
Launched in 2013, Canva is an all-in-one visual communication platform with a mission to empower everyone in the world to design anything and publish anywhere. With a market valuation of approximately $42 billion, the platform serves a global community of over 260 million monthly users across more than 190 countries, who have collectively created over 40 billion designs. Canva caters to the design needs of enterprises, small businesses, consumers, and students, offering a user-friendly tool to create a wide range of visual content, from social media designs and presentations to websites and videos.
Source: Fintech Gate
