Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi (KEZAD) — Complete Business Guide 2026
KEZAD Group manages Abu Dhabi’s cluster of economic zones including KIZAD and associated free zones. Here is the complete 2026 guide for businesses considering KEZAD.
In this guide:
KEZAD at a Glance
- Full name: Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi
- Location: Khalifa Port area, 65km from Abu Dhabi city
- Managed by: AD Ports Group
- Zones: KIZAD (Khalifa Industrial Zone); Khalifa Port Free Zone; Ahmad Bin Rashid Port and Free Zone
KIZAD Industrial Zone
- Focus: Heavy industrial; petrochemical; metals; manufacturing; plastic processing
- Scale: 420 sq km total development area; massive industrial land
- Port: Direct access to Khalifa Port (deepwater; 12m draft)
- Railway: Etihad Rail connection planned; UAE’s national freight railway
KEZAD Costs (Industrial Land, 2026)
- Land lease: AED 20-40/sq.m/year (long-term 25-50 year leases)
- Warehouse: AED 30-55/sq.m/year
- Trade licence (light industry/service): AED 15,000-25,000/year
KEZAD Strengths
- Scale: UAE’s largest industrial zone by land area; can accommodate mega-projects
- Port: Khalifa Port is Abu Dhabi’s modern deepwater port; key for industrial supply chain
- Government backing: Abu Dhabi government and AD Ports Group; major investor confidence
Who Uses KEZAD?
- Major manufacturers: Aluminium; steel; plastics; chemicals
- Logistics and 3PL: Large-scale warehousing and distribution
- Petrochemical: Downstream processing from Ruwais refinery output