UAE’s Ajman Free Zone Sets Ambitious Target of 10,000 Firms in 2026

The Ajman NuVentures Centre Free Zone (ANCFZ) in the Emirate of UAE Ajman is setting its sights on a major milestone: crossing 10,000 registered companies by 2026. According to the zone’s leadership, roughly 45‑50 per cent of those companies are expected to originate from India.

Launched recently in late 2024, the centre has already achieved strong momentum. It reports around 6,500 businesses registered within its first year. This rapid uptake underlines the appeal of a streamlined digital business‑setup model and Ajman’s growing role as an accessible investment destination.

A new growth engine in Ajman

Ajman has historically been known for its older free zone, Ajman Free Zone (AFZ), which has since the 1980s attracted thousands of companies and established the emirate’s credentials as a business‑friendly jurisdiction. But the NuVentures Centre marks a next‑generation push: designed to serve modern industries such as technology, e‑commerce, media and professional services, offering flexible licence structures, digital onboarding and full foreign ownership.

This newer free zone is well aligned with the broader national agenda of the Ajman Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the economy away from oil and create jobs in innovation‑driven sectors. In this context, ANCFZ is positioned not just as a cost‑effective business base but as a platform for global entrepreneurs keen on rapid set‑up and growth.

What is driving the momentum

Several factors are supporting the free zone’s ambitious target:

Strong Indian interest: With 45‑50 per cent of new registrations anticipated to come from India, ANCFZ is actively engaging Indian entrepreneurs via roadshows in cities such as New Delhi, Bangalore and Mumbai.
Affordable set‑up and fast licensing: The zone offers one‑stop‑shop registration, digital processes, and varied licence types that suit startups, freelancers and large firms alike.
Strategic location: Ajman offers logistic access to UAE hubs, ports, airports and major highways while offering lower cost‑structures compared to some of the larger emirates.
Policy incentives: The free zone supports 100 % foreign ownership, profit repatriation, and tax‑efficient frameworks for eligible entities making it attractive for international investors.

Why 10,000 companies matter

Achieving 10,000 registered companies by 2026 is more than a vanity figure. It signals confidence in Ajman’s business ecosystem and boosts its credentials in a region where competition among free zones is intense. As the UAE positions itself as a global trade, technology and services hub, each additional company contributes to employment, innovation, and diversified growth.

For ANCFZ, crossing the 10,000 mark will provide tangible proof that its model—digital, flexible, global—is resonating with entrepreneurs. It also helps the emirate of Ajman raise its profile, attract new investments and deepen its global networks.

Challenges and considerations

However ambitious the target is, there are also challenges to be mindful of:

Ensuring that new company registrations translate into active businesses rather than shell entities will be important for impact and reputation.
Competition from other UAE free zones remains fierce, many of which offer specialised niches, incentives or industry clusters.
While digital setup is efficient, sustaining growth will require supporting infrastructure, skilled talent, follow‑through on visas, banking, and long‑term regulatory stability.
With a large share of registrations expected from India, ANCFZ will need to maintain strong local support, language‑friendly services and ongoing marketing to keep momentum.

What this means for entrepreneurs

For investors and entrepreneurs eyeing the UAE as a base, ANCFZ offers a compelling proposition. Its model caters well to:

Tech startups, e‑commerce firms, freelancers, and service‑based companies seeking a fast launch.
Indian entrepreneurs looking for a UAE foothold with costs lower than some major hubs like Dubai or Abu Dhabi.
Companies that value a digital onboarding experience, flexible licensing, and access to assistive governmental processes.

If you are considering setting up in ANCFZ, here are quick action tips:

Attend one of the roadshows or webinars the zone conducts (noting its strong outreach in India).
Prepare the key documents early – licences, shareholder IDs, business plans, etc.
Think about the long‑term: what infrastructure (office space, banking, visa support) you might need beyond registration.
Review the activity lists carefully – ANCFZ permits a wide range of modern activities (blockchain, e‑commerce, media, tech) so aligning early with the right licence type helps.

Looking ahead

With the 2026 target in view, all eyes will be on how ANCFZ sustains its growth curve. If it succeeds, it may set a template for how smaller emirates in the UAE can carve out competitive positions in the global free‑zone landscape. For Ajman, the success of NuVentures will play into its broader aspirations of becoming an innovation‑friendly, cost‑efficient business destination.

For entrepreneurs, service providers and investors, the ticking clock toward 2026 offers both urgency and opportunity. The message is clear: Ajman is open for business—and in a format designed for speed, flexibility and global ambition.

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