Dubai Chamber, Canva Partner to Set Up Regional HQ in Dubai

Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy has signed a strategic agreement with global visual communication platform Canva to establish Canva’s regional headquarters in Dubai. The partnership aims to support 250,000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the digital sector, along with individuals, over the next five years.

The agreement was signed during the World Governments Summit (WGS) 2026 held in Dubai. It supports the UAE’s national goals related to digital transformation and artificial intelligence (AI).

The signing took place in the presence of H.E. Omar Sultan Al Olama, UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, and Chairman of Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy.

The agreement was signed by:

• Saeed Al Gergawi, Vice President of Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy

• Cliff Obrecht, Co-Founder and COO of Canva

As part of the partnership, Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy will support the establishment and expansion of Canva’s operations in Dubai and the wider region. The move reflects Dubai’s continued efforts to build a strong digital ecosystem and strengthen its position as a global hub for innovation and technology companies.

Under the agreement, Canva will provide access to special service packages for newly established SMEs operating in Dubai and the UAE. These packages, expected to launch this year, will offer advanced tools for design, productivity, and innovation. The initiative is designed to help businesses improve their digital presence, simplify content creation, and develop new ideas without needing professional design skills.

Canva, founded in 2013, is used by businesses, students, and individuals across more than 190 countries. The company is valued at around US$42 billion, with over 260 million monthly users and more than 40 billion designs created on its platform.

In the UAE, Canva recorded strong growth, with over 54 million designs created in 2025 alone. The company also stated that 1 in 8 internet users in the UAE already use Canva.

Commenting on the partnership, H.E. Omar Sultan Al Olama said Dubai is continuing to strengthen its position as a global hub for technology and digital innovation through a flexible business environment and advanced infrastructure. He added that the agreement will help enhance SME capabilities and support their growth within Dubai’s digital ecosystem.

Cliff Obrecht, Canva’s Co-Founder and COO, said Dubai is home to millions of creators and businesses working at scale, and the partnership reflects a shared belief in creativity and technology. He noted that establishing Canva’s regional headquarters in Dubai will allow the company to work more closely with businesses and creators across the region.

Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy stated that the partnership supports Dubai’s long-term ambition to become one of the world’s leading digital economies, in line with the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33). The collaboration is expected to further strengthen Dubai’s position as a global centre for digital transformation and innovation.