KEZAD Group

Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi - KEZAD Group () operates economic zones, industrial real estate, logistics infrastructure, and staff accommodation in the United Arab Emirates. It is managed by AD Ports Group under its Economic Cities & Free Zones cluster.

Background KEZAD Group was launched in September 2022 through the consolidation of Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (KIZAD) and ZonesCorp. It was established to expand Abu Dhabi’s economic cities and free zones, offering and streamlining infrastructure development, regulatory frameworks, and investment facilitation.

Operations As of 2025, KEZAD Group’s infrastructure and services span 12 economic zones across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra Region, as well as an industrial and logistics zone in East Port Said, Egypt, covering a total area of 570 sq km.

KEZAD Group’s platform supports over 2,300 businesses across 17 economic sectors, including logistics, automotive, food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, metals, chemicals, packaging, and clean energy industries.

Location & Connectivity

KEZAD Areas A and B, which make up approximately 410 sq km of the 550 sq km total area, are located between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, adjacent to Khalifa Port, a major deep-water container port in the UAE.

It lies along the E11 Highway with future road links connecting to Al Ain, and is near three major airports: Zayed International Airport (35 km); Al Maktoum International Airport (52 km); and Dubai International Airport (85 km). Companies based in KEZAD have access to multimodal transport by sea, air and road, with seamless integration Etihad Rail network that will connect KEZAD directly to industrial and consumer hubs across the UAE and GCC.

Infrastructure and facilities KEZAD provides pre-built and build-to-suit infrastructure and real estate solutions, including: 587,000 m² of built-up industrial and logistics space, with 93,000 m² dedicated to cold storage. 250,000 m² of warehousing capacity under development with AED 621 million investment. Serviced plots, cold storage units, light industrial units, and startup-ready facilities.

Sector-focused developments include: KEZAD Business District (announced June 2025), a 3 km² mixed-use development with commercial towers, F&B outlets and business support zones near the KEZAD Headquarters. Abu Dhabi Food Hub, designed for regional food trading, processing, and cold chain logistics Aquaculture and Related Industries Zone, a 1.1 km² area for aquaculture and associated industries. Al Ain AgTech Park, a 200-hectare agtech park with an annual production capacity of 39 kilotonnes. KEZAD Global Auto Hub, developed with AED 330 million investment for automotive parts, storage and assembly. Rahayel Automotive City, a 1.1 million m² complex dedicated to automative activities and services.

Investor ecosystem KEZAD hosts international and regional investors across key sectors.

Anchor tenants: Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) operates in KEZAD since 2009, producing 800,000 tonnes of aluminum annually, with expansion to 1.4 million tonnes under phase two. EMSTEEL, which produces 3.5 million tonnes of steel and 4.6 million tonnes of cement annually Borouge, which produces 5 million tonnes of polyolefins per annum, with expansion plans to reach over 6.6 million. Metal Park, a build-to-suit project for the metal industry, covering 450,000 m² of infrastructure with port and rail access across both free zone and mainland areas.

Key tenants: Spinneys, which holds a 50-year lease with a 382,900 ft² cold storage distribution centre BRF (Brasil Foods), which operates a 1.6 million sq plant producing meat products and bread-based foods under the Sadia brand. Emirates Calcium Carbonate Factory, established under a 50-year agreement to supply products for oilfield industries Palletco, a manufacturing facility under a 50-year lease agreement. Apex Engineering Industries, an AED 90 million manufacturing facility for oil, gas and defence. Abundance Solar Panel Industries, an AED 55 million solar production plant. Global logistics companies, including DHL Global Forwarding and DSV, which provide logistics and supply chain services. Azizi Developments, which signed a 50-year land lease agreement to build 12 factories with an investment of AED 1 billion. Jiangsu Overseas Cooperation Investment Co. Ltd (JOCIC), established in 2017 to manage the China-UAE Industrial Capacity Cooperation Demonstration Zone.

Built-to-suit Amazon, with a 175,000 m² regional e-commerce fulfilment centre. Emtelle, with a $50 million telecoms and pipe manufacturing unit. noon.com, with a 252,000 m² regional e-commerce fulfilment centre. Metal Park, a 450,000 m² development with port and rail connectivity, spanning both free zone and mainland areas.

Sustainability & Digital transformation KEZAD Group incorporates environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards and digital initiatives into its zone operations and infrastructure. Programmes include carbon capture and circular economy measures, plastic recycling, water reuse and waste management. The group has developed 24 km of landscaped areas and green corridors.

KEZAD Group and BEEAH have formed a joint venture to deliver integrated, eco-friendly waste management services to customers across the group’s economic cities and free zones. It also partnered with Masdar on a green hydrogen hub project aligned with the UAE’s National Hydrogen Strategy and has collaborated with Siemens to support Industry 4.0 adoption and deploy smart manufacturing systems.

Achievements KEZAD has received international accolades:

Ranked among the top three overall in the fDi Intelligence Global Free Zones of the Year Awards 2024. Ranked among the top two worldwide in the “Sustainable Zones” category of the fDi Intelligence Global Free Zones of the Year Awards 2024. UN Investment Promotion Award 2023 for supporting clean tech and renewable energy. Industrial Strategic Partner Award 2024 from the UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT). EFQM 6-Star Certification for operational excellence and sustainable development.

KEZAD Group

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