KIZAD (Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi) — rebranded to KEZAD (Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi) — is one of the UAE’s largest industrial zones, integrated with Khalifa Port. Here is a complete guide for industrial and logistics businesses.
KEZAD Overview
KEZAD (formerly KIZAD) is managed by AD Ports Group (Abu Dhabi Ports). It is a 417 km² industrial zone in Kizad City, Abu Dhabi, approximately 60 km south of Abu Dhabi city. Khalifa Port: one of the UAE’s two main deep-water container ports (alongside Jebel Ali). KEZAD is strategically positioned as Abu Dhabi’s primary industrial export hub, with direct port connectivity and large land banks for industrial development. Key industries at KEZAD: aluminium smelting and processing (EMAL — largest single-site aluminium smelter in the world), petrochemicals, plastics, packaging, and building materials.
KEZAD Competitive Advantages
KEZAD offers: direct Khalifa Port connectivity (quayside berths for large industrial operations), competitive industrial land lease rates (AED 10–25/sqft/year for large industrial plots — among UAE’s lowest), access to Abu Dhabi’s utilities (gas, electricity, water at industrial rates), large available land bank (major future expansion capacity), and ADNOC supply chain access (for petrochemical and industrial businesses).
KEZAD Costs 2025
Annual licence fee: AED 12,000–20,000 (KEZAD free zone entity). Industrial land: AED 12–30/sqft/year on long-term lease (typically 20–50 year government lease). Warehouse (ready-built): AED 25–45/sqft/year. KEZAD is best for: large-scale manufacturing businesses that need significant land, port access, and competitive utilities.
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.