Empowering Local Economies: ICV and SME agility in infrastructure

The national In-Country Value (ICV) Program, a UAE-wide initiative empowering local procurement and services, is central to Abu Dhabi’s development strategy. The ICV Program, pioneered by ADNOC in 2018 and nationalised in 2021, incentivises companies to prioritise local suppliers, talent, and manufacturing capabilities. Simultaneously, the Abu Dhabi SME Champion Programme amplifies the impact of the ICV program by linking SMEs, like those in construction and logistics to procurement opportunities from giants such as Aldar Properties and Emirates Steel Arkan. With an initial AED 30 million in contracts earmarked for SMEs alone, the program bridges capability gaps through mentorship and training, enabling smaller firms to scale and contribute to megaprojects critical to urban development. Representing 32% of non-oil GDP, SMEs are pivotal to diversifying supply chains and embedding resilience - a lesson underscored by post-pandemic global shortages. For global investors, the ICV framework offers a dual advantage: reduced supply chain vulnerabilities through localised networks and access to a pipeline of projects prioritising ESG-aligned partnerships.