Dubai, United Arab Emirates — At GITEX Global 2025, du, the UAE’s leading integrated telecommunications and digital solutions provider, in partnership with Dubai SME, a division of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), unveiled the SME Empowerment Initiative — a transformative program designed to strengthen the UAE’s entrepreneurial ecosystem through AI, digital innovation, and strategic enablement.
This joint initiative reflects a shared vision between public and private sectors to position the UAE as a global hub for entrepreneurship and intelligent enterprise, while supporting the national goals outlined in the UAE Centennial 2071 and the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33).
“This partnership is more than a launch — it is a movement,” said Karim Benkirane, Chief Commercial Officer at du.
“By merging du’s digital infrastructure and AI capabilities with Dubai SME’s vast ecosystem of entrepreneurs, we are empowering thousands of small businesses to scale, innovate, and compete on a global stage.”
🌐 A New Era for SME Growth: AI, Connectivity, and Capability
The SME Empowerment Initiative introduces an integrated digital platform and ecosystem of tools that give small and medium enterprises access to technologies once reserved for large corporations.
At its core, the program offers smart infrastructure, cloud-based services, and AI-driven business tools that simplify operations, reduce costs, and enhance competitiveness.
Key components include:
- AI Agentic Chatbots: Customizable virtual assistants that enable SMEs to provide 24/7 customer service and automated support.
- AI Video Analytics Systems: Intelligent retail monitoring that analyzes customer engagement, sales patterns, and store performance.
- API Integration Hub: Allows businesses to embed AI and automation into existing workflows without the need for complex infrastructure.
- Digital Business Toolkit: Cloud-hosted software for HR, accounting, and customer management.
- Mentorship & Training: Specialized business acceleration programs delivered jointly by du and Dubai SME experts.
- Exclusive Welcome Package: Tailored connectivity and data solutions to give startups instant access to secure, high-performance digital services.
The initiative also introduces a grant and mentorship framework, supporting promising Emirati founders with access to funding, consultation, and scalable digital infrastructure.
🤝 Public-Private Synergy for National Development
The partnership underscores how collaboration between government and technology enterprises can accelerate economic diversification and support the UAE’s transition toward a knowledge-based digital economy.
H.E. Ahmad Al Room Almheiri, Acting CEO of Dubai SME, highlighted the initiative’s strategic importance:
“Empowering SMEs with AI and digital tools is not just an economic priority — it is a social one. Every entrepreneur supported is a step closer to achieving the UAE’s vision of inclusive, sustainable growth.”
Through this partnership, du will act as both enabler and advisor, offering SMEs an end-to-end roadmap for digitization — from connectivity and cloud adoption to AI-driven optimization.
🧠 AI as the Great Equalizer
du’s leadership at GITEX 2025 emphasized the transformative role of AI in leveling the business landscape.
By integrating automation, analytics, and intelligence into small business operations, the initiative ensures that every enterprise — regardless of size — can leverage data to make informed decisions, streamline operations, and enhance customer experiences.
“AI is no longer the future — it is the foundation of competitiveness today,” said Benkirane.
“Our SME Empowerment Initiative puts the power of intelligent technology directly in the hands of entrepreneurs, helping them grow faster, smarter, and sustainably.”
The initiative also supports female entrepreneurs, youth-led startups, and green SMEs, aligning with national priorities in inclusion and sustainability.
📈 Supporting Dubai’s Economic Agenda D33
The SME Empowerment Initiative plays a crucial role in realizing the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), which aims to double the size of Dubai’s economy and make it one of the top three global cities for business and innovation by 2033.
By providing AI-powered, cloud-native infrastructure, du and Dubai SME are creating an environment where small businesses can thrive locally and scale internationally.
The collaboration will further:
- Increase SME contribution to national GDP.
- Enhance the competitiveness of Dubai’s business landscape.
- Foster cross-sector innovation across retail, healthcare, logistics, and fintech.
- Build a digitally inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem aligned with UAE Vision 2031.
🌍 GITEX Global 2025: Where Vision Meets Action
At GITEX Global 2025 — the world’s largest technology exhibition — the du pavilion served as a live demonstration of the initiative’s capabilities.
Entrepreneurs and visitors interacted with AI-powered demos, showcasing real-world use cases in automation, analytics, and customer experience.
The response from attendees underscored the program’s potential to redefine SME growth models, transforming traditional operations into data-driven, intelligent enterprises.
💬 Commitment to the Future
“We are building the infrastructure of empowerment,” Benkirane concluded.
“This partnership with Dubai SME symbolizes the UAE’s forward-looking spirit — where technology, talent, and tenacity converge to create lasting economic impact.”
The initiative will continue expanding through 2026, with new features and workshops designed to support more than 10,000 SMEs nationwide, alongside collaborations with incubators, accelerators, and funding partners.
Media Contact
du – Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (EITC)
Corporate Communications Department
📧 Email: media@du.ae
📞 Phone: +971 4 390 0000
🌐 Website: www.du.ae
Dubai SME – Dubai Department of Economy & Tourism (DET)
Communications Office
📧 Email: info@dubaisme.ae
📞 Phone: +971 4 445 5555
🌐 Website: www.sme.ae
Sources
- Zawya Press Release, “du partners with Dubai SME to launch comprehensive SME Empowerment Initiative at GITEX Global 2025.”
https://www.zawya.com/en/press-release/companies-news/du-partners-with-dubai-sme-to-launch-comprehensive-sme-empowerment-initiative-at-gitex-global-2025-a2izh3co - Dubai SME Official Portal – https://www.sme.ae
- GITEX Global 2025 Official Portal – https://www.gitex.com
- UAE Vision 2031 & Dubai D33 Economic Agenda
