ADNOC reveals 60-billion-dirham local manufacturing push, targeting 200 new products and spare parts

New opportunities for manufacturers

“After months of diligent work, I am pleased to announce new opportunities worth 60 billion dirhams of local manufacturing,” Alnuaimi told the forum. He said the package translates into 200 products and a full portfolio of critical spare parts.

Speaking to Gulf News after his speech, Alnuaimi explained that the list was built by reflecting on ADNOC’s growth plans, investment plans, and capital programme. “We really reflected on what more needs to be built in the UAE to ensure a resilient supply chain that will enable us to achieve these ambitious investments,” he said.

The products span drilling, operations, and projects, covering mechanical, electrical, static, and rotary categories. ADNOC has already localised wellheads and drilling fluids for drilling and wells, and is now looking at electrical submersible pumps, OCTG, central coolers, and seamless pipes. In projects, the company wants to localise rotary equipment including compressors and pumps. For operations and maintenance, Alnuaimi pointed to electrical components, spare parts, catalysts, and chemicals that still need to be localised.

Access to build and partnerships

Alnuaimi said the opportunities suit both smaller companies and large enterprises, describing them as “opportunities, partnerships, industries, and a whole value chain.” He added: “You build it here, and we are ready to build it together.” Details of all opportunities were made available through a QR code displayed at the event.

Asked what “access to build” means, Alnuaimi pointed to ADNOC’s decision to publish its tendering plans with timelines and categories. “I do not think there is a company as bold as ADNOC that has announced its tendering plans with timelines and different categories. This is our commitment to the market about being transparent, enabling them to plan and invest ahead of time, and this ensures our projects get completed faster and on schedule,” he told Gulf News.

His message to a first-time manufacturer was direct: “Nobody has given you such visibility and such an opportunity, and nobody has a resilient and connected ecosystem. The opportunity is here, and the time is yours.”

Alnuaimi said ADNOC is committing to the demand together with the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, Emirates Development Bank, and the Abu Dhabi Investment Office. “We are not only giving you the opportunity, but we are also unlocking the access to it,” he said. He explained how Emirates Development Bank, Abu Dhabi Investment Office, and AD Ports will help companies move from opportunity to factory. “Visibility on demand is not the only factor. We are bringing in our strategic partners within the ecosystem to ensure that investors, entrepreneurs, and suppliers are all enabled to make this a success.”

Eight years of results

The programme began in 2018 with an ambition to ensure every dirham spent builds capability in the UAE and creates meaningful careers for Emiratis. Since then, it has reached 307 billion dirhams in in-country value. The annual contribution has grown from 18 billion dirhams in 2018 to 65 billion dirhams at the end of 2025, a more than three-and-a-half-fold increase. This has translated into 27,500 jobs for Emiratis in the private sector, Alnuaimi said.

On local manufacturing, ADNOC had set a target of 90 billion dirhams by 2030. Alnuaimi said that 80 billion dirhams has already been achieved, resulting in 130 localised products and 95 new or expanded manufacturing facilities. “Our target is 90 per cent achieved. This gives us the confidence to accelerate,” he said.

He thanked suppliers who supported ADNOC when supply chains were disrupted. “It was our suppliers, vendors, and partners who enabled us to continue pushing our products to the world,” he said, adding that the experience proved “products made locally makes us strong nationally.” He closed with: “Others give you the access to bid. ADNOC gives you the access to build. Make it with ADNOC. Make it in the Emirates.”

National perspective

The forum was opened by Hasan Jasem Al Nowais, Under Secretary of the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology. He described an “unprecedented year” for the region that tested supply chains and businesses, but also showed the nation’s “resilience, unity, and determination.” On the national In-Country Value Programme, he said: “Its principle is simple: whatever we spend in the UAE must create value in the UAE — new jobs, new factories, new capabilities.” He noted that the programme has created 28,000 jobs for Emiratis and redirected more than 473 billion dirhams into the economy. He called ADNOC the programme’s key partner. “What began as a catalyst for growth has proven its strength as a pillar of national resilience during the most difficult times,” he said.