Canva to establish Dubai base, supporting 250,000 SMEs in five years
Deal signed during World Governments Summit to boost digital transformation goals
DUBAI – Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy has signed an agreement with global visual communication platform Canva to establish the company’s regional headquarters in Dubai, in a move aimed at accelerating digital growth and supporting 250,000 small and medium-sized enterprises and individuals over the next five years.
The agreement was signed during the World Governments Summit 2026 in Dubai and aligns with the UAE’s national objectives for digital transformation and artificial intelligence.
The partnership further strengthens Dubai’s position as a destination for leading global technology companies.
Strategic agreement
The agreement was signed 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. Saeed Al Gergawi, Vice President of Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, signed on behalf of the chamber, while Cliff Obrecht, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Canva, represented the company.
Under the agreement, the chamber will support the establishment of Canva’s regional headquarters in Dubai, contributing to the expansion of its operations locally and across the wider region. The step reflects Dubai’s continued efforts to build an integrated digital ecosystem and reinforce its global standing as an innovation hub with advanced infrastructure and a business-friendly environment.
SME enablement
As part of the collaboration, Canva will enable newly established SMEs operating in Dubai and across the UAE to access service packages through its digital design and visual communication platform. Set to launch this year, these packages will provide companies with advanced tools for design, productivity and innovation.
Businesses are expected to strengthen their digital presence, streamline content creation and develop new ideas without requiring specialist design expertise. The initiative is designed to help enterprises adopt creative solutions powered by artificial intelligence and modern technologies, supporting operational efficiency and market competitiveness.
Al Olama said Dubai continues to strengthen its position as a global hub for technology and digital innovation, supported by flexible regulations and infrastructure that keeps pace with the evolving digital economy. He noted the agreement with Canva is intended to enhance SME capabilities and support their growth within Dubai’s digital ecosystem.
Global footprint
Founded in 2013, Canva has expanded into a widely used design platform serving enterprises, small businesses, consumers and students in more than 190 countries. The company is valued at approximately $42 billion, with more than 260 million monthly users globally. Over 40 billion designs have been created using the platform.
In the UAE alone, more than 54 million designs were created on Canva in 2025, and one in eight internet users in the country is already using the platform. Obrecht said establishing the regional headquarters in Dubai will allow Canva to work more closely with businesses, enterprises and creators across the region, providing access to its suite of products to support idea development and content creation.
Canva’s platform enables individuals and teams to produce a wide range of digital content, including social media posts, presentations, websites and videos, reflecting the growing role of visual communication in business, education and everyday digital interaction.