Digital trade in the UAE is expected to grow by 12.3% annually from 2023 to 2028. A recent study by the Ministry of Economy and the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry shows that over 40% of UAE consumers use “buy now, pay later” models and FinTech systems.

Abu Dhabi is seeing significant growth in digital trade, thanks to efforts to boost the private sector through innovation and digitization. These initiatives aim to make Abu Dhabi a top business destination in the MENA region by 2025.

The study highlights key factors driving this growth, including economic activities and current policies. It also provides a historical overview of digital trade trends at local, regional, and global levels.

The Abu Dhabi Chamber is focused on digital transformation, using advanced AI tools to increase productivity and improve daily operations. This helps support local and global businesses and enhance customer satisfaction.

The study also emphasizes the importance of Federal Decree-Law No. 14/2023, which supports digital trade across the UAE. In Abu Dhabi, there was a 12% increase in registered e-commerce companies from 2022 to 2023, with many new businesses using modern digital systems.

By the end of 2022, the UAE ranked third in the world for digital trade. The MENA region’s digital trade market could reach USD 57 billion by 2026, with the total digital trade percentage rising from 5.7% in 2022 to 8.3% in 2026.

Around 49% of UAE consumers frequently shop online, with 47% using credit cards, far above the global average of 18%. It’s projected that 20.1% of global retail purchases will be online by 2024, with digital retail making up 25% of global sales by 2027.