Dubai Chamber Of Digital Economy And Canva Sign Agreement To Establish Regional Headquarters In Dubai

Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy has agreed with Canva to base the company’s regional headquarters in Dubai and provide support to 250,000 SMEs and individuals over five years, reinforcing the UAE’s digital transformation plans and artificial intelligence ambitions while expanding the design platform’s presence across local and regional markets.

The agreement is signed during the World Governments Summit (WGS) 2026 in Dubai, aligning with national strategies for a competitive digital economy. It aims to help newly established businesses improve content production, brand visibility, and creative output using digital tools that do not require specialist design training.

In the presence of Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications and Chairman of Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, the agreement is signed by Saeed Al Gergawi, Vice President of Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, and Cliff Obrecht, Co-Founder and COO, Canva, marking a significant institutional partnership.

Under the terms, Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy will support the setup of Canva’s regional headquarters in Dubai. This support is expected to assist Canva in growing its operations across the emirate and wider region, while also backing the chamber’s plans to create an integrated and competitive digital business ecosystem.

The move reflects Dubai’s focus on developing a strong digital ecosystem and highlights the city’s appeal for leading technology firms. It also aligns with the emirate’s wider innovation plans, where digital services, AI-driven solutions, and creative industries are seen as important contributors to long-term economic growth.

Canva will provide newly created SMEs in Dubai and the UAE with access to service bundles through its visual communication platform. These packages are set to launch this year and will give companies advanced tools for design, productivity, and ideation, helping them manage content creation and strengthen online engagement.

Through Canva’s platform, businesses and individuals will be able to design marketing materials, digital assets, and internal communications more efficiently. The tools are designed to let users test ideas quickly, collaborate in teams, and publish content across multiple channels, even when they lack traditional graphic design experience.

Canva currently serves enterprises, small businesses, consumers, and students in more than 190 countries. The platform is valued at approximately US$42 billion, with more than 260 million monthly users and over 40 billion designs created to date, reflecting wide adoption across different user groups and regions.

Use of Canva in the UAE is already strong. In 2025, users in the country create more than 54 million designs, and the platform reaches 1 in 8 internet users. This existing base is expected to benefit from closer regional operations and new SME-focused offerings from the Dubai headquarters.

"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," Al Olama stated.

He added, "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."

Obrecht commented, "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."

Since its launch in 2013, Canva has offered an easy-to-use design platform that allows individuals and teams to produce social media graphics, presentations, websites, and videos. The Dubai regional headquarters and cooperation with Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy are set to embed these capabilities more deeply within the UAE’s growing digital economy.

With inputs from WAM