H.E. Bin Touq highlights UAE’s efforts to strengthen entrepreneurship and IP ecosystems at Schneider Electric Innovation Summit MEA 2026 in Abu Dhabi

Ministry of Economy and Tourism and Schneider Electric sign MoU to launch NEST Acceleration Programme

H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism, participated in the Schneider Electric Innovation Summit Middle East and Africa 2026, held at ADNEC in Abu Dhabi. The event was attended by nearly 2,500 government officials, decision-makers, industry leaders and strategic partners from the public and private sectors.

The Summit saw the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Economy and Tourism and Schneider Electric to launch the NEST Acceleration Programme, a new regional accelerator designed to support startups developing innovative technologies and solutions across energy, industrial automation and artificial intelligence (AI).

H.E. Bin Touq said in his opening address: “Under the directives of its wise leadership, the UAE has been committed to developing an integrated legislative and regulatory environment that supports the growth and prosperity of new economy sectors and future industries. We recognise them as key drivers of economic diversification, strengthening the UAE’s leading position across various global competitiveness indicators. This approach enables the country to keep pace with the rapid transformations shaping the global economy, while enhancing its ability to attract high-quality investments and develop new sectors based on innovation, technology and knowledge, in line with the ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision.”

H.E. added: “The hosting of this remarkable event in the UAE reflects growing international confidence in the country’s position as a global hub for entrepreneurship, innovation and technology, as well as its vital role in fostering global dialogue and cooperation between governments and the private sector to explore the future of vital sectors and discuss solutions and technologies that can enhance the efficiency and competitiveness of economies. This is especially relevant as small and medium-sized enterprises represent more than 95 per cent of businesses in the UAE.”

H.E. continued: “The Ministry of Economy and Tourism’s launch of the NEST Acceleration Programme, in collaboration with Schneider Electric, marks a new step in unlocking promising opportunities for entrepreneurs and technology-based startups, enabling them to develop innovative ventures across technology, artificial intelligence and energy technology. It will support them in moving from ideas to implementation, expanding their businesses and accessing new markets. The programme will also strengthen public-private sector collaboration and promote the exchange of expertise and best practices, enhancing the contribution of entrepreneurship and SMEs to the national GDP.”

H.E. Bin Touq briefed Summit participants on the UAE’s efforts to enhance the competitiveness of its entrepreneurship and intellectual property (IP) ecosystems. Key initiatives include the launch of the first sustainability innovation cluster and the ‘Green Intellectual Property’, allowing 100 per cent foreign ownership of companies and access to more than 2,000 economic activities, along with free economic zones and industrial clusters that support the growth of entrepreneurial ventures. The UAE has also streamlined and accelerated company establishment procedures and provides Golden Visas for entrepreneurs and talents for up to 10 years.

Walid Sheta, Schneider Electric's President of the Middle East and Africa region, said: “The UAE represents a global model in leveraging technology and innovation to develop a more flexible and sustainable economy. It also provides an integrated ecosystem that enables startups to develop their solutions and transform them into practical and scalable applications that can reach regional and global markets. Hosting the Innovation Summit in Abu Dhabi reflects our confidence in the UAE’s position as a global hub for future industries, providing a platform that brings together businesses and innovators to accelerate transformation across energy, industry and artificial intelligence.”

Sheta added: “Our collaboration with the Ministry of Economy and Tourism to launch the NEST Acceleration Programme reflects our commitment to supporting a new generation of companies developing innovative solutions to pressing economic and environmental challenges. By combining technological expertise, specialised mentoring and access to a broad ecosystem of partners and markets, we aim to enable companies to accelerate their growth, enhance their impact and contribute to the development of smarter, more efficient and sustainable energy and industrial ecosystems in the UAE and the region.”

The NEST Acceleration Programme provides an integrated environment that helps startups develop their projects and business models, accelerate their growth and enhance their readiness to expand into local and international markets. It provides access to technical and specialised expertise, mentoring and guidance, opportunities for building partnerships, and connections to the business ecosystem and regional and global markets.

Over two days, the Summit addresses four main themes, including AI-Driven Electrification, Energy Resilience, MEA’s Intelligence Journey, and Industrial Intelligence.

Abu Dhabi’s hosting of the Summit reflects the UAE’s position as a global platform for dialogue on the future of energy, technology and industry, as well as an attractive destination for companies, talent and high-quality investments. It also supports the country’s efforts to build a diversified, sustainable and knowledge-based economy driven by innovation and advanced technologies.