TikTok-enabled small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) contributed $300 million to the UAE economy and supported more than 7,000 jobs, according to TikTok’s UAE Economic Impact Report unveiled at the World Government Summit 2026.
The report was released during the summit’s 2026 edition, which concluded recently in Dubai and drew its largest-ever international participation, bringing together 6,250 government leaders and experts from across the world under the theme “Shaping the Governments of the Future.”
Titled The TikTok Effect: Enabling the UAE’s Dynamic Digital Economy, the report examines TikTok’s contribution to the UAE’s economic, creative, and social development. It was announced in the presence of His Excellency Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications.
Developed in partnership with Redseer Strategy Consultants, the report highlights TikTok’s growing role in supporting entrepreneurship, enabling the creative economy, and contributing to human capital development in the UAE.
According to Redseer estimates, more than 10,000 SMBs started their business because of TikTok, while over 70,000 local SMBs are currently active on the platform. Beyond direct economic contribution, the report notes that TikTok supports skills development, cultural expression, tourism discovery, and digital wellbeing, with a majority of users reporting personal or professional learning gains through the platform.
His Excellency Omar Sultan Al Olama said the UAE has emerged as a global leader in the digital economy, driven by a forward-looking vision that prioritises digital ecosystem development and the adoption of advanced technologies as core pillars of economic growth.
Al Olama added that the country has built a strong digital and regulatory foundation while fostering a business-friendly entrepreneurial environment, enabling global platforms to expand their impact and contribute to the growth of the digital economy and creative industries. Advanced technologies, he said, are central to strengthening economic competitiveness and enhancing wellbeing, in line with national development objectives.
“TikTok has evolved from an entertainment platform into a functional layer of the UAE’s digital landscape. This report shows that our impact extends far beyond the screen, contributing over $272 million to the economy and supporting thousands of jobs,” said Jenan Mohamed Alhashili, Head of Public Policy, GCC. “By lowering barriers for Emirati entrepreneurs and showcasing the UAE’s vibrant culture to the world, we are proud to support the nation’s future-ready, innovation-led vision. Whether it is a local brand finding its first customer or a creator building a global career, TikTok is helping drive the real-world economic outcomes that enable the UAE’s growth ambitions.”
