KEZAD (Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi) — Industrial Investment Guide 2026
KEZAD (Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi), previously known as KIZAD (Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi), is Abu Dhabi’s flagship industrial free zone adjacent to Khalifa Port — the most technically advanced port in the Middle East. This guide covers KEZAD for industrial investors in 2026.
In this guide:
KEZAD Overview
- Full name: Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi (KEZAD Group); rebranded from KIZAD in 2022
- Manager: Abu Dhabi Ports Group (ADP); KEZAD is part of the ADP ecosystem
- Location: southwest Abu Dhabi; 50 km from Abu Dhabi city centre; adjacent to Khalifa Port; 60 km from Jebel Ali
- Scale: 417 km² total; one of the world’s largest integrated industrial zones; designed to rival Dubai South and JAFZA
- Khalifa Port: semi-automated; capacity 14.5 million TEUs; Abu Dhabi’s primary container port; connected to KEZAD via internal road and planned rail network
KEZAD — Strategic Industries
- Metals and minerals processing: EMAL (Emirates Aluminium, now EGA — Emirates Global Aluminium) has a massive aluminium smelter in KEZAD; downstream aluminium product companies co-located nearby
- Petrochemicals: BOROUGE polymer plant (adjacent to KEZAD); downstream plastic and chemical processing
- Food and beverage: KEZAD’s dedicated food zone; largest food industry zone in MENA; cold storage, processing, packaging; proximity to Khalifa Port for import/export
- Logistics: Khalifa Port logistics zone; bonded warehouses; cross-docking; e-commerce fulfilment; one of the fastest-growing logistics hubs in UAE
- Pharmaceutical: dedicated pharmaceutical manufacturing zone within KEZAD; Abu Dhabi’s goal to grow domestic pharma manufacturing capacity
KEZAD Free Zone Licence and Costs
- Industrial licence: AED 20,000-40,000/year depending on activity scope
- Trading licence: AED 15,000-25,000/year
- Land lease: AED 20-45 per sqm/year for industrial land; long-term leases (25-50 years) for major investments
- Pre-built facilities: warehouses from 500 sqm; light industrial units from AED 15 per sqft/year
- Utilities: KEZAD provides industrial-grade power (up to 132kV); water; industrial gas connections
KEZAD Investment Incentives
- ADIO partnership: Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) can provide incentive packages for qualifying KEZAD investors; land subsidies, utility rate discounts, and co-investment for large strategic projects
- UAE CT Qualifying Free Zone: KEZAD companies may qualify for 0% CT on qualifying free zone income (as QFZP — Qualifying Free Zone Person) if meeting substance requirements
- 100% foreign ownership: full foreign ownership; no UAE national partner requirement
Pricing Evidence & Source Notes
Use this profile as a planning guide, not a final invoice. Confirm the current package, activity wording, visas, office or flexi-desk requirement and renewal amount before payment.
| Free Zone | Package | Year 1 Cost | Renewal Cost | 3-Year Total | Visa Option | Office / Flexi Requirement | Year 1 Confidence | Source Type | Conflict Status | Last Reviewed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KEZAD | Free Zone Business Start-Up 1-visa package | AED 8,000–16,000 effective Year 1 (Abu Dhabi government waives licence fees for first 2 years; pay only visa + cards); without waiver: AED 17,000–26,000 (licence AED 9,000–14,000 + establishment card AED 1,500 + immigration card AED 1,500 + 1 visa AED 3,400–6,500) Confidence: Verified official price |
Quote-based renewal - confirm the current annual package Confidence: Needs confirmation |
AED 22,575 official 3-year 1-visa package including VAT Confidence: Verified official price |
Published packages for 1 to 4 visas | Shared workstation or dedicated office is listed in the startup solution | Verified official price | Official authority package page | Current package / renewal confirmation required | July 2026 |
| What is included | The official startup solution lists a free-zone business licence, shared workstation or dedicated office, internet/Wi-Fi and the selected visa provision. Published package amounts include VAT. |
|---|---|
| What is not included | Renewal after the selected validity period, extra visas, immigration extras, insurance, industrial facility, utilities, regulated approvals and advisory services unless included in the selected package. |
| Hidden-cost risk | The AED 22,575 amount is a published three-year package, not a Year 1 figure multiplied by an assumed renewal. Industrial, warehouse and land-led configurations require separate quotations. |
| Banking difficulty | Medium to high |
| Best fit | Manufacturing, industrial, logistics, warehouse and large facility-led businesses. |
Source evidence: Review source | Methodology | Corrections.
Prices can change based on free zone authority updates, activity selection, visa count, office or flexi-desk requirement, shareholder structure, establishment card, immigration file, medical test, Emirates ID, insurance, banking support and consultant service fees. Last reviewed July 2026. Always request a current quote before payment. View methodology or compare all rows in the UAE Free Zone Cost Index.