Abu Dhabi Airports unveils major free zone expansion and logistics alliances at Make it in the Emirates 2026
Record non-oil trade growth underscores momentum behind emirate’s manufacturing and investment landscape
ABU DHABI – Abu Dhabi Airports, through its commercial free zone arm Abu Dhabi Airports Free Zone (ADAFZ), presented its expanding industrial and logistics ecosystem at Make it in the Emirates 2026.
The showcase focused on strengthening Abu Dhabi’s position as a global manufacturing and trade destination, supported by integrated infrastructure and strategic partnerships.
During the event, ADAFZ also announced key agreements aimed at enhancing financial access and food supply chain efficiency within its ecosystem.
Strategic MoUs
ADAFZ signed landmark agreements with Abu Dhabi Food Hub and Wio, the UAE’s digital bank, reflecting its push to deepen integration across trade, finance and logistics. The agreement with Wio Bank focuses on streamlining the opening of bank accounts for free zone companies, alongside joint onboarding initiatives and co-marketing support. Wio will also serve as a preferred banking partner for ADAFZ clients, simplifying financial access for businesses entering the ecosystem.
A separate memorandum of understanding with Abu Dhabi Food Hub is aimed at developing a central consolidation capability. This initiative is designed to bring together logistics infrastructure and trade networks, improving the movement of food products across the region and beyond. The collaboration is expected to support more efficient, scalable and connected food supply chains, aligning with Abu Dhabi’s wider food security and trade facilitation goals.
Infrastructure reach
ADAFZ manages one of the largest free zone land portfolios in the emirate, spanning approximately 90 million sqm across three strategic airport locations, Zayed International Airport, Al Bateen Executive Airport and Al Ain International Airport. The ecosystem is home to more than 500 registered companies operating across multiple sectors, supported by airside and landside access, bonded corridors and flexible regulatory frameworks that allow 100 percent foreign ownership and zero import or export duties.
Its flagship developments include the Al Falah strategic logistics hub, covering 8.3 million sqm near Zayed International Airport, recognised as one of EMEA’s fastest-growing mega airports. The Logistics Park, spanning 800,000 sqm, already hosts global logistics operators including FedEx and DHL. Meanwhile, the East Midfield Cargo Terminal, a 90,000 sqm facility, is designed to handle up to 1.5 million tonnes of cargo annually once fully operational in 2027.
Economic momentum
ADAFZ’s participation at Make it in the Emirates 2026 comes amid strong expansion in Abu Dhabi’s non-oil economy. According to the Statistics Centre Abu Dhabi, non-oil trade rose by 36 percent in 2025. The emirate also recorded a 6.8 percent increase in non-oil GDP during the first nine months of 2025, while transport and storage activities grew by 13.8 percent in the third quarter alone.
The business environment has also seen significant acceleration, with new company registrations rising by nearly 50 percent in the first half of the year. This surge highlights Abu Dhabi’s growing appeal as a destination for industrial investment, manufacturing and global supply chain operations.
Ahmed Juma Al Shamisi, Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Airports, said the emirate’s economic momentum is driven by coordinated infrastructure and policy development. He noted that ADAFZ is positioned at the centre of this ecosystem, connecting manufacturers, logistics operators and global supply chains to a rapidly expanding trade hub. He added that Make it in the Emirates serves as a key platform to demonstrate the scale of opportunities available to industrial investors in Abu Dhabi.