Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy has signed an agreement with Canva to establish the company’s regional headquarters in Dubai and support 250,000 SMEs and individuals in the digital sector over the next five years.
The agreement was signed during the World Governments Summit 2026 in Dubai, 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 Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy.
Saeed Al Gergawi, Vice President of Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, and Cliff Obrecht, Co-Founder and COO of Canva, signed the agreement.
Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy signs deal with Canva to support 250,000 SMEs over five years
Under the agreement, Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy will support the establishment of Canva’s regional headquarters in Dubai, contributing to the expansion of the company’s operations at local and regional levels.
The move reflects Dubai’s commitment to building a digital ecosystem and strengthening its position as an innovation hub. It highlights the emirate’s appeal as a destination for technology companies.
Canva will enable SMEs operating in Dubai and the UAE to access service packages through its platform for digital design and communication. Set to launch this year, companies will benefit from tools for design, productivity, and innovation, helping them strengthen their digital presence, streamline content creation, and develop ideas without the need for design skills.
Canva serves the needs of enterprises, businesses, consumers, and students in more than 190 countries. Valued at US$ 42 billion, over 260 million people use Canva every month, and over 40 billion designs have been created on its platform.
In the UAE, over 54 million designs were created on Canva in 2025, and 1 in 8 internet users in the UAE are using the platform.
Canva regional headquarters to boost digital innovation hub status
“Dubai is continuing to strengthen its position as a global hub for leading technology and digital innovation companies, supported by a flexible, business-friendly environment and advanced infrastructure that keeps pace with the rapid evolution of the digital economy. We are committed to providing high-quality platforms and tools that enable companies to grow and expand in Dubai, particularly in creative sectors powered by artificial intelligence and advanced solutions. The agreement with Canva is designed to enhance the capabilities of SMEs and support their growth and development within Dubai’s advanced digital ecosystem,” Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications and Chairman of Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy said in a statement.
“Dubai is home to millions of people building and creating at scale, and this partnership reflects our shared belief in the power of creativity and technology. Establishing our regional headquarters here means we can work more closely with small businesses, enterprises, and creators across the region, giving them access to Canva’s suite of products to bring their ideas to life. We’re excited to be part of what Dubai is building,” Cliff Obrecht, Co-Founder and COO at Canva added.
Since its launch in 2013, Canva has helped reshape communication with a design platform that enables individuals and teams to create content, from social media posts and presentations to websites and videos.
Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy is dedicated to strengthening Dubai’s digital ecosystem and supporting the emirate’s ambition to become one of the world’s leading digital economies, in line with the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33).
The partnership advances Dubai’s drive to grow the digital economy and strengthens the emirate’s position as a hub for digital transformation and innovation.
The agreement supports the UAE’s objectives for digital transformation and artificial intelligence.
