The Abu Dhabi Investment Office has teamed up with sustainable protein experts to build an industrial-scale fermentation centre in the emirate.
Adio has signed a strategic partnership with two global protein companies, The Every Company and Vivici, as part of efforts to advance biotechnology and food security in the UAE.
They plan to set up a four-million-litre production site for alternative proteins, using microorganisms to create high-value food ingredients without relying on animal sources, the Abu Dhabi Media Office reported on Thursday.
The project falls under Abu Dhabi’s AgriFood Growth and Water Abundance Cluster, a government initiative that seeks to enhance food resilience through innovation and international partnerships.
The latest announcement comes amid rising global demand for sustainable food solutions.
The protein fermentation market, valued at about $3 billion in 2024, is forecast to grow more than 17-fold to $54 billion by 2032, according to industry estimates.
The UAE sees this sector as a key component of its push to diversify its economy and reduce reliance on imported food.
By hosting the first large-scale precision fermentation plant in the region, Abu Dhabi aims to position itself as a centre for future food technologies.
Other companies in the food technology field will also be allowed to use the centre.
The move will create “an entirely new industry for the region”, that will deliver “high-quality nutrition, attract investment and create skilled jobs”, said Fatima Al Dhaheri, the head of Agwa at the investment office.
The project will also contribute to shaping regional policy on alternative proteins.
The investment office and its partners plan to develop a regulatory framework for fermented protein products, ensuring compliance with food safety and Halal standards.
The partnership will also explore export opportunities through the UAE’s comprehensive economic partnership agreements, linking Abu Dhabi’s output to markets in Asia, Africa and Europe.
The UAE stands to benefit from “protein independence”, said Arturo Elizondo, chief executive of The Every Company.
Vivici’s chief executive Stephan Fiet added that Abu Dhabi’s “combination of capital, talent and infrastructure” makes it an ideal base for scaling biotechnology.
The initiative will also engage universities and research centres to train Emirati talent in biotechnology and food science, the investment office said.
Royal wedding inspired menu
Ginger, citrus and orange blossom iced tea
Avocado ranch dip with crudites
Cucumber, smoked salmon and cream cheese mini club sandwiches
Elderflower and lemon syllabub meringue
Email sent to Uber team from chief executive Dara Khosrowshahi
From: Dara
To: Team@
Date: March 25, 2019 at 11:45pm PT
Subj: Accelerating in the Middle East
Five years ago, Uber launched in the Middle East. It was the start of an incredible journey, with millions of riders and drivers finding new ways to move and work in a dynamic region that’s become so important to Uber. Now Pakistan is one of our fastest-growing markets in the world, women are driving with Uber across Saudi Arabia, and we chose Cairo to launch our first Uber Bus product late last year.
Today we are taking the next step in this journey—well, it’s more like a leap, and a big one: in a few minutes, we’ll announce that we’ve agreed to acquire Careem. Importantly, we intend to operate Careem independently, under the leadership of co-founder and current CEO Mudassir Sheikha. I’ve gotten to know both co-founders, Mudassir and Magnus Olsson, and what they have built is truly extraordinary. They are first-class entrepreneurs who share our platform vision and, like us, have launched a wide range of products—from digital payments to food delivery—to serve consumers.
I expect many of you will ask how we arrived at this structure, meaning allowing Careem to maintain an independent brand and operate separately. After careful consideration, we decided that this framework has the advantage of letting us build new products and try new ideas across not one, but two, strong brands, with strong operators within each. Over time, by integrating parts of our networks, we can operate more efficiently, achieve even lower wait times, expand new products like high-capacity vehicles and payments, and quicken the already remarkable pace of innovation in the region.
This acquisition is subject to regulatory approval in various countries, which we don’t expect before Q1 2020. Until then, nothing changes. And since both companies will continue to largely operate separately after the acquisition, very little will change in either teams’ day-to-day operations post-close. Today’s news is a testament to the incredible business our team has worked so hard to build.
It’s a great day for the Middle East, for the region’s thriving tech sector, for Careem, and for Uber.
Uber on,
Dara
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
Essentials
The flights
Return flights from Dubai to Windhoek, with a combination of Emirates and Air Namibia, cost from US$790 (Dh2,902) via Johannesburg.
The trip
A 10-day self-drive in Namibia staying at a combination of the safari camps mentioned – Okonjima AfriCat, Little Kulala, Desert Rhino/Damaraland, Ongava – costs from $7,000 (Dh25,711) per person, including car hire (Toyota 4x4 or similar), but excluding international flights, with The Luxury Safari Company.
When to go
The cooler winter months, from June to September, are best, especially for game viewing.
