Abu Dhabi Chamber Membership Surges, Reflecting Resilience and Future-Focused Growth
The Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ADCCI) witnessed membership growth of 4.9 percent in the first half of 2025, surpassing 158,000 members compared to the same period last year. This milestone highlights the strength and resilience of Abu Dhabi’s business environment, even as global economic conditions present ongoing challenges.
This surge in chamber participation underscores the organization’s role as a catalyst for private sector growth. The ADCCI continues to support sustainable development, empowering businesses of all sizes, and guiding them toward new opportunities in high-potential sectors.
Several emerging industries reported strong membership growth. Agriculture, forestry, and fishing led the way with a 21 percent increase, suggesting heightened interest in food security and agri-business. The arts and entertainment sector followed, growing by 13 percent, while both information and communication technology and vocational, scientific, and technical activities grew by 10 percent each. These results indicate rising demand for creative, technology-driven, and specialized services throughout the emirate.
The water supply and waste management sector achieved 9 percent growth, spurred by greater environmental awareness and an increased push for circular economy principles. Sectors such as property and administrative services each expanded by 8 percent, reflecting a buoyant real estate landscape and strengthening demand for business support services.
The education sector registered 7 percent growth, underscoring the robust nature of Abu Dhabi’s private education industry. Meanwhile, transport and storage grew by 6 percent, propelled by expanding supply chains and logistics operations, and mining and quarrying rose by 5 percent. The wholesale and retail trade sector saw a 4 percent increase, indicating the stability of consumer demand.
Construction, manufacturing, and financial services each showed solid growth of 3 percent, while accommodation and food services increased by 2 percent, shaped in part by seasonal trends and changing consumer preferences.
Commenting on these results, Shamis Ali Al Dhaheri, Second Vice Chairman and Managing Director of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said, “These figures confirm the private sector’s central role in powering the accelerated growth Abu Dhabi is achieving. The sharp rise in memberships across sectors such as agriculture, modern technologies, and arts reflects the far-reaching impact of the emirate’s ambitious development agenda, with the chamber playing a pivotal role in sustaining this momentum by driving innovation, enabling high-impact partnerships, and expanding economic opportunities.”
These results illustrate the depth of Abu Dhabi’s economic diversification, highlighting the growing strength of sectors built on knowledge, innovation, and sustainability, while reaffirming the ongoing importance of traditional industries.
The Abu Dhabi Chamber remains dedicated to cultivating this strategic balance, accelerating growth in emerging sectors, and enabling the private sector through world-class services and strategic partnerships aimed at driving long-term competitiveness and global relevance.
Team V.4-EM-UAE
