Dubai SME, part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Deliveroo to support Emirati-owned businesses registered under the Dubai SME programme. The collaboration aims to facilitate market entry and accelerate digital adoption for small and medium-sized enterprises in the food and beverage sector. By providing cost-effective tools to expand customer reach and strengthen operations, the partnership aligns with the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, which seeks to double the size of Dubai’s economy by 2033.
The MoU introduces a public-private collaboration model that offers commercial advantages for participating SMEs. These include tailored onboarding fees, preferential commission structures, and extensive promotional support to enhance customer acquisition and marketing outcomes.
Driving digital transformation and sustainable growth
Beyond financial incentives, the partnership delivers a full digital transformation package. Participating SMEs will benefit from in-app marketing visibility, dedicated onboarding support, operational training programmes, and personalised account management during the early adoption phase. This approach ensures businesses can transition smoothly to digital platforms while building long-term, sustainable growth.
Ahmad Al Room Almheiri, Acting CEO of Dubai SME, said, “SMEs are pivotal to Dubai’s economic success, and within the F&B sector they play a vital role in driving creativity, delivering excellence, and enhancing the city’s culinary landscape. By combining Deliveroo’s technological expertise with our deep understanding of local business needs, we are not just streamlining access to market entry but also accelerating the digital transformation that will define the future economy. This partnership exemplifies our commitment to creating an ecosystem where Emirati entrepreneurs can grow and succeed. It also demonstrates how strategic public-private partnerships can deliver tangible results for SMEs whilst advancing our broader economic diversification targets, aligned with the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33.”
Nick Price, General Manager at Deliveroo Middle East, said, “At Deliveroo, we are committed to empowering local businesses and ensuring Emirati-owned SMEs have the tools and opportunities they need to thrive in today’s fast-evolving digital economy. Through this partnership with Dubai SME, we’re not only reducing the barriers to entry but also providing the ongoing support that F&B entrepreneurs need to expand their reach, enhance their competitiveness, and build sustainable growth. This collaboration reflects our shared belief that public–private partnerships are a powerful driver of innovation and economic progress, and we are proud to play a role in advancing the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33.”
Strengthening Dubai’s SME ecosystem
SMEs account for over 90 percent of registered businesses and employ the majority of the private sector workforce, making them the backbone of Dubai’s economy. Within this framework, F&B entrepreneurs are crucial to enhancing the city’s reputation as a world-class culinary destination. The Dubai SME–Deliveroo partnership provides these businesses with affordable access to digital tools and customer engagement opportunities, enabling them to scale efficiently in a competitive market.
Dubai SME aims to support the creation of 8,000 new Emirati ventures by 2033, bringing the total number of supported businesses to 27,000, up from 19,000 in 2024. By integrating Emirati talent into the broader business ecosystem, this initiative reinforces the long-term growth of local entrepreneurship.
