Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy reported that it has signed a deal with global visual communication tool Canva to make the company the regional headquarters in Dubai and help 250,000 small- and medium-sized businesses and individuals in the digital industry over the next five years.
The agreement was signed at the World Governments Summit 2026 in Dubai and is aligned with the national goals of the UAE towards digital transformation and artificial intelligence.
It 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 the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy.
The deal was signed between Saeed Al Gergawi, the Vice President of Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, and Cliff Obrecht, the co-founder and chief operating officer of Canva.
As part of the deal, Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy will support the establishment of Canva’s regional headquarters in Dubai, leading the expansion of the company’s operations locally and throughout the region.
Therefore, this move comes in line with the Dubai vision of developing a comprehensive digital platform and attracting international technology firms. Canva offers newly established SMEs operating in Dubai and the UAE access to service packages from its digital design and visual communication platform.
The packages will be available later this year, and they will provide design, productivity, and content creation tools, enabling businesses to produce digital content without the assistance of a design expert.
Al Olama said, “Dubai is continuing to strengthen its position as a global hub for leading technology and digital innovation companies, supported by a flexible, business-friendly environment and advanced infrastructure that keeps pace with the rapid evolution of the digital economy. We are committed to providing high-quality platforms and tools that enable companies to grow and expand in Dubai, particularly in creative sectors powered by artificial intelligence and advanced solutions. The agreement with Canva is designed to enhance the capabilities of SMEs and support their growth and development within Dubai’s advanced digital ecosystem.”
Obrecht explained that the move to have the regional headquarters based in Dubai would help the company to be closer to businesses and creators around the region.
He stated, “Dubai is home to millions of people building and creating at scale, and this partnership reflects our shared belief in the power of creativity and technology. Establishing our regional headquarters here means we can work more closely with small businesses, enterprises, and creators across the region, giving them access to Canva’s suite of products to bring their ideas to life. We’re excited to be part of what Dubai is building.”
Canva is an online design platform that was founded in 2013 and is utilized by enterprises, small businesses, consumers, and students in more than 190 countries. It is estimated to be worth about $42 billion and boasts a user base of over $260 million each month, with in excess of 40 billion designs created on the platform.
Over 54 million designs were created on Canva in the UAE in 2025, and one out of every eight internet users in the country makes use of the platform. Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy is among the three chambers that operate under Dubai Chambers and works to grow the digital economy of the emirate in accordance with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33.
