Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy Partners With Canva to Set Up Regional HQ

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Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy has signed an agreement with global visual communication platform Canva to establish the company’s regional headquarters in Dubai, reinforcing the emirate’s ambitions to become a global hub for the digital economy.

The agreement was signed during the World Governments Summit 2026 and aims to support 250,000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and individuals working in the digital sector over the next five years. The partnership aligns with the UAE’s national priorities around digital transformation and artificial intelligence.

The signing took place in the presence of Omar Sultan Al Olama, 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, and Cliff Obrecht, Canva’s co-founder and chief operating officer.

Under the agreement, Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy will support the establishment and expansion of Canva’s regional headquarters in Dubai, enabling the company to scale its operations across the Middle East and beyond. The move reflects Dubai’s broader strategy to build an integrated digital ecosystem while attracting leading global technology firms.

As part of the partnership, Canva will provide newly established SMEs in Dubai and across the UAE with access to tailored service packages through its design and visual communication platform. These offerings, set to launch later this year, will include advanced tools for design, productivity, and innovation, helping businesses strengthen their digital presence, streamline content creation, and develop ideas without requiring specialist design expertise.

Canva currently serves enterprises, small businesses, students, and individual users in more than 190 countries. Valued at approximately $42 billion, the platform has over 260 million monthly active users and has facilitated the creation of more than 40 billion designs worldwide. In the UAE alone, more than 54 million designs were created on Canva in 2025, with one in eight internet users in the country already using the platform.

Commenting on the agreement, 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.”

Founded in 2013, Canva has played a significant role in reshaping visual communication by making design tools accessible to individuals and teams worldwide.